Safe Cosmetics
& Toxic Free Makeup

With the beauty industry free to use almost any chemicals they want in their products, safe cosmetics and toxic free makeup are not easy to come by. This is where consumers have to be vigilant and be knowledgeable about what they put on their faces and bodies.

Several consumer groups have conducted their own independent tests with worrying results.

For example, in 2007, Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine published that eight consumer fragrances had tested for the presence of Phthalates, a group of chemicals used as plasticizers in many consumer products. Some of these chemicals are found to have a hormonal effect on lab animals. One chemical, DEHP, is banned from cosmetics in European Union nations.

There are too many toxins and chemicals that are untested. However, here is a list of the most common ones to watch out for:

Dangerous Toxins Not Found in Safe Cosmetics & Beauty Products

2. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT): Carcinogenic and endocrine disruptor; Toxic to the brain, nervous, and respiratory systems

3. DMDM hydantoin and Imidazolidinyl urea: toxic contaminants

4. Eugenol: Toxic to immune and nervous systems and an endocrine disruptor

5. Formaldehyde: Carcinogenic & toxic to immune and respiratory systems

6. Fragrance and dyes: allergies, cancer, nervous system

7. Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone: allergies, toxic to nervous system

8. Nitrosamines: endocrine disruptor & likely carcinogen 9. Paraben: Common in hair dyes, shampoos and soaps. Endocrine disruptor, neurotoxic, hormonal effects; likely carcinogen

10. Phthalates: Toxic to the immune, nervous, and reproductive systems

11. P-Phenylenediamine: Toxic to the immune, respiratory, and nervous systems

12. Sodium lauryl or laureth Sulfate: Common in shampoos, toothpastes and soaps. Skin damage, toxic contaminants

13. Triclosan and triclocarban: thyroid and environmental concerns

14. Triethanolamine (TEA): allergies, toxic contaminants especially to immune and respiratory systems; likely carcinogen

So where are these chemicals and toxins commonly found? For starters, be wary of hair dyes, especially those with Ammonia, Peroxide, P-phenylenediamine and Diaminobenzene. Dark permanent hair dyes are usually the worst.

Your hands and nails are next. Avoid hand soaps with Triclosan. Nail polish and removers with Formaldehyde are toxic.

Most Asians with a penchant for skin lightening, be warned. You don't need to be Michael Jackson to realise the toxic effects. Skin lighteners with Hydroquinone are known to cause permanent skin damage with visible marks.

Cosmetic and beauty products have too many ingredients that have escaped independent testing. As a consumer, safe comestics and makeup should at least be free of the above chemicals.

Safe Cosmetics & Beauty Brands