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Entry bubble Taking the Mystery out of Makeup

By: Nicole | May 09, 2008 | Category: Health

One early morning in college, I was putting on makeup and accidentally dropped a bottle of foundation. LipstickIt exploded into shards of glass and a thick goop that covered the sink. After removing the glass, I scrubbed the porcelain surface for at least 10 minutes, trying unsuccessfully to remove the oily substance and peach-colored stain it left behind. All the while, I kept wondering: What is in this stuff anyway!?

Well, now I have an answer. A research group called the Environmental Working Group has developed the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, which allows you to search by product to learn what is in your makeup and whether the ingredients are harmful. Skin Deep uses 50 different regulatory and toxicity databases to research the ingredients in common cosmetic products. It then assigns an overall hazard level for the product and for each of its ingredients.

I searched one cosmetic product I use every day and discovered that it earns a level 4 hazard rating (10 is extremely hazardous). It contains ingredients associated with cancer, toxicity, allergies, and irritation. I couldn’t believe the detailed information I was able to find, and I couldn’t believe I’d been putting this junk on my face for the last five years.

The database will also tell you whether a cosmetics company has signed the Compact for Safer Cosmetics agreement and whether the company does animal testing.

In addition, the FDA provides helpful articles about cosmetic products. The FDA also provides highlights about recent changes in cosmetics regulations. CosmeticsInfo.org, a site developed by the cosmetics trade industry, is another source of product information.

So, before you hit the makeup aisle, do some research to avoid the really nasty stuff.

| View Comments [6] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: beauty   blush   compact   cosmetics   eyeshadow   foundation   lipstick   makeup   mascara   powder   safety  

Comments (6):

blue comment bubble Posted by THE UNBIG SCARE on May 09, 2008 at 12:33 PM EDT

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING WE TOUCH AND USE HAVE SOME LEVEL OF HAZARD TO IT. BUT MANY MAKE-UP COMPANIES LIKE AVON AND MARY KAY HAS TAKEN SPECIAL EFFORT TO CREAT MAKE UP LESS OF A PROBLEM IT IS TRUE THE MORE YOU SPEND ON MAKE UP THE MORE QUALITY IT MAY HAVE THEN CHEAPER ITEMS BUT IT HAS LESS OF AN HAZARDS THEN KISSING SOME UNKNOWN PERSON? WHO'S MOUTH COULD HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE. SO SAY NO TO HAZARDOUS THINGS LIKE UNSAFE DATING AND RISK THE POWER POINT RED LIPSTICK PURCHASE...

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blue comment bubble Posted by ENHANCING SAFETY on May 09, 2008 at 01:11 PM EDT

BEAUTY IS A ENHANCER AND I THINK IT'S MORE SAFE THAN WHAT SOME MEN USE TO ENHANCE CERTAIN THINGS AND HAVE THE NERVE TO TALK ABOUT SAFETY IN A TUBE OF LIPSTICK I DON'T THINK SO BUDDY!!!

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blue comment bubble Posted by Search Engine Marketing on May 12, 2008 at 10:46 AM EDT

Cosmestic law is crucial important, that database will shut a lot of malpractice down.
______________
Max Worton
www.webefforts.co.uk

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blue comment bubble Posted by OUTS on May 12, 2008 at 02:26 PM EDT

BEST BATHROOM CLEANSER OF ALL IS PLAIN OLD WASHING SODA.

AS FOR COSMETICS, LIKE ANYTHING ELSE TRY TO CHECK INGREDIENTS BEFORE YOU BUY.

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blue comment bubble Posted by chilepepper red on May 12, 2008 at 09:43 PM EDT

I think this is great and have ordered the kit for myself so that I may not only enlighten and protect myself from these hazardous products, I will also share this imformation with both of my teenage daughters.

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blue comment bubble Posted by sandyw7388 on May 12, 2008 at 09:56 PM EDT

Go with Bare Minerals makeup. It may be a little expensive, but if you catch it when she offers the beginners package, it doesn't cost as much. It is well worth the money and you can set it up to have it sent to you anywhere from every 2 months to every 6 months for $29.95. It takes very little to cover so how much do you spend in makeup in a years time? I bet more that $60.00 which is what this averages out to be.
I have been using it a little over a month and I WILL NEVER go back to liquid makeup again. It really does do what she advertises and I have never been so happy with my makeup in my life. Mine was either too dark or too light. And yes, I relate to the "goop" that was left in the sink when you finished washing your face.
And no, I don't work for this company. I had seen several of their infomercials and one morning I decided, I was worth it! I have began a rigid skin regimen (at my age I have to!) and I needed the makeup to go with it. And you have the guarantee. If you don't like it, send it back.

A very satisfied bare minerals customer
Sandy

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