Daily makeup products can contain a variety of ingredients, both natural and synthetic, that are added to give the product its desired look, texture, smell, and efficiency. Here are some details about makeup products and their ingredients:
Common Ingredients:
- Water: the most common cosmetic ingredient, used as the base of many products. It also acts as the main solvent to dissolve other ingredients in the product.
- Emulsifiers: used to stabilize formulas and prevent the ingredients from separating. Common emulsifiers are Laureth-4, polysorbates, and potassium cetyl sulfate.
- Preservatives: have antimicrobial properties and give cosmetic products a longer shelf life. Examples of these are aldehydes, glycol ethers, isothiazolinones, organic acids, and parabens.
- Pigments: give color to products and are often made using powder-based chemicals such as iron oxide, mica flakes, manganese, and beet powder.
Natural Ingredients:
- Natural cosmetics raw materials are available for every product. Citric acid and lactic acid are multifunctional components that can be used efficiently as exfoliants, pH balancers, and preservatives in cosmetics.
- Natural makeup products usually have a minimal amount of altered or synthetic substances. Ingredients that are not usually found in natural makeup include synthetic preservatives and artificial colorants.
Positive Aspects:
- Some makeup products contain skin-healthy ingredients that can enhance the appearance of the skin.
- There are many natural makeup products available that prioritize natural ingredients that are safe for both humans and the environment.
Negative Aspects:
- Cosmetics can contain ingredients that are harmful to you and the environment.
- Some chemicals in certain cosmetic products may be toxic.
Its important to be an informed consumer and purchase products that are healthy and safe for you and the environment. You can evaluate the ingredients of makeup products using resources like the EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database.
