Six Makeup Ingredients to Avoid This Halloween
Halloween will be here before we know it. Once you see one of those costume pop-up shops open its doors, you know it’s time. With many of us trying to save a penny or simply expressing our creativity, we may be inclined to do our Halloween looks ourselves. With this in mind, we run to our favorite Halloween and/or drug store and start stocking up on makeup and accessories to complete our looks. But buyer beware, there are some things on the list of ingredients you may want to avoid. With that said, let’s dive in.
Fragrance is one of the top 5 allergens in the world. Some chemicals used in "fragrance" are also linked to asthma and hormone issues. Companies are not required to disclose the actual chemicals that make up these fragrances.
Parabens are found in 70-90% of cosmetics. These chemical preservatives mimic estrogen; linked to breast and skin cancer. They’re easily absorbed, these chemicals can quickly soak into the skin. Scan ingredients on product labels. If a product is "Paraben Free," it is usually listed as such.
Sodium Lauteth Sulfate is commonly found in cream-based cosmetics like foundations & concealers. They’re helpful with absorption but are often contaminated with cancer causing chemicals. It can also cause skin irritation, canker sores, eye damage, and acne. Look out for listed sulfates and polyethylene glycol.
Petroleum Distillates are common in mascaras. This ingredient is often combined with cancer causing chemicals. These chemicals are often, at times, produced in the same factories that gas and oil are produced. They may cause contact dermatitis; which is an irritating and itchy rash.
Lead is an ingredient in 61% of lipsticks. Lead can cause reproductive and hormonal issues in both women and men.
Phthalates are banned in the E.U. (European Union), these chemicals are found in color cosmetics. They’re linked to a host of health issues: Endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and cancer are all linked to this chemical. Check labels for these ingredients: -Phthalate -Fragrance -DEP -DBP -DEHP PHTHALATES
As you are shopping for your killer (pun intended) Halloween makeup necessities, don't forget to flip over the packaging and read the ingredients carefully. Do your research. It may be helpful to start early by shopping and/or researching online so you're not in a time crunch which may lead you to settle for whatever's left on the shelves.
