I am really trying to change my entire lifestyle from Food, beauty products, cleaning products, etc. I thought I had made a big change years ago by eating more organically, but what I have discovered over the years is how naive or just unaware I am of the products on the market. I guess, I just always assumed that the beauty products I purchased are safe. I mean if they are for sale at Nordstrom, Macy's, Target, and so on, they have to be safe right? I thought our FDA had regulated and tested all products on the market. From what I discovered recently is that they do not. SO, now I am starting to change EVERY SINGLE beauty product I use to a more natural one. I may be late on the bandwagon, but I don't think everyone is quite aware of the toxic ingredients in their makeup, lotion, perfume, and shampoo. I am going to start a series of safe and natural products to purchase. I will try to test every single one, and give you my opinion.
Ingredients in mascara you want to avoid:
PARABENS - Used as a preservative and is an endocrine disrupter that messes with your hormones. (Top Offenders: L’Oreal, Cover Girl, Avon, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Maybelline, Neutrogena, Revlon, Chanel, Lancome)
PARFUM (a.k.a. fragrance) - Why do you need parfum on your eyes – that’s crazy. Oh it’s to cover up the smell of coal tar! This is even in some products marketed as “unscented.” Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies, asthma and acne, linked to cancer and neurotoxicity, and are harmful to fish and other wildlife. (Top Offenders: Neutrogena, Lavera, Milani)
ALUMINUM POWDER - Considered a neurotoxin and linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other cancers. (Top Offenders: Cover Girl, Estee Lauder)
BHA and BHT: Used as a preservatives and is an endocrine disruptor and may cause cancer (BHA). Harmful to fish and other wildlife. (Top Offenders: Maybelline, Rimmel)
PROPYLENE GLYCOL: Linked to acne, eczema, and other skin allergies. (Top Offenders: L’Oreal, Mineral Fusion, Rimmel, Avon, Maybelline)
COAL TAR DYES: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number. The U.S. colour name may also be listed (e.g. “FD&C Blue No. 1″ or “Blue 1″). Potential to cause cancer and may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain. (Top Offender: Maybelline)
FORMALDEHYDE RELEASING PRESERVATIVES - Look for DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15. Used in a variety of cosmetics. Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer. (Top Offender: Almay)
RETINYL ACETATE (VITAMIN A ACETATE) - Biochemical or cellular level changes, Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) (Top Offenders: Elizabeth Arden, Almay, Revlon)
*Ingredient research provided by The Environmental Working Group and David Suzuki Foundation*
I have tried a dozen mascaras from Estee Lauder, Chanel, Lancôme, Clinique, and Loreal. I used to work for Estee Lauder, and thought their products were amazing. BUT, now that I know there is tar and other horrible ingredients in mascaras, I decided to switch over to a more natural one. I tested the Physician's Formula one first. I got it at Target for under $10. This is how it looked. I was happily surprised how well it worked. I used about 3 coats. I'm not wearing any eye liner. If I were, I'm sure it would stand out much more. It's great to know that an alternative mascara is out there and you don't have to worry about all the chemicals you're putting on your face, because this one is 100% Organic.
thank you!
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