(NaturalHealth365) Makeup can be a toxic swamp of carcinogens, irritants, allergens, silicones, parabens, and endocrine disrupters.  The U.S. Congress hasn’t enacted any personal care laws since the 1930s, leaving America’s multi-billion beauty industry to regulate itself.  A survey conducted by the Environmental Working Group found that the average woman uses 12 products a day, averaging 168 total ingredients.  How many of those ingredients have been linked to cancer, birth defects, liver disease, thyroid disease, decreased immunity, hormone disruption, and a range of other serious health problems?

A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology found signs of forever chemicals (PFAS) in over half of the 231 samples of products tested, including lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, foundation, concealer, lip balm, blush, nail polish, and more.  Some of the highest PFAS levels were found in waterproof mascara (82% of brands tested), foundations (63%), and liquid lipstick (62%).

Here is the ugly truth about ingredients used in beauty products

This isn’t the first time the beauty industry’s ugly ingredients have been exposed.  Its evils are as long as the makeup aisle at Macy’s.

For example, hair care company Wen settled a $26 million class-action case because its products were making people’s hair fall out.

In 2020, filmmaker Phyliss Ellis released “Toxic Beauty,” a documentary that digs beneath the skin of the beauty industry with a thesis that argues that modern skin-care products are the new cigarettes.

And as of February 2021, Johnson & Johnson has faced 27,168 talcum powder lawsuits, with victims complaining of ovarian cancer and mesotheliomas, a type of cancer occurring in the tissue layer covering internal organs.  The company has paid out billions in damages to plaintiffs across the country.

In other words, pretty hurts … and the beauty industry is as manipulative and exploitive as Big Pharma and Big Food.

Pay attention! Wearing lipstick can lead to the ingestion of several pounds of the product throughout your life

While researchers for the new study claimed to be surprised by the high number of cosmetic products that contain toxic forever chemicals, what’s even more shocking is the fact that Big Beauty companies don’t list PFAS on their labels when they use the chemicals, making them all but impossible to avoid for even the most cautious and green-minded consumer.

According to Tom Bruton, a senior scientist with Green Science Policy Institute and one of the study’s authors, “regulatory agencies often allow companies to claim PFAS as a trade secret.”

If the idea of accidentally ingesting several pounds of lipstick isn’t bad enough, to think that the product might be packed with PFAS is enough to make you quit skin-care products altogether.

If reading labels won’t keep you safe, what will?

“Not all things from nature are safe, and not all synthetics are bad,” says sustainability expert and chemist Dr. Richard Blackburn.  And that makes an eco guide to clean beauty that much more difficult to navigate.  However, there are certain keywords to look for when reading cosmetic labels.

Researchers found that products advertised as “wear-resistant,” “long-lasting,” and “waterproof” often contain fluorine, which is a strong indicator of PFAS.

One company worth mentioning is Dr. Hauschka.  Of course, local farmers markets will often feature smaller companies that create wonderful (safe) products to use.  But, whatever brand you choose … always avoid the toxic ingredients.  Your health is worth the effort.

Sources for this article include:

TheGuardian.com
Vogue.com
Childrenshealthdefense.org