Liquid Foundation makeup is made from more than 200 ingredients! Cosmetics are the least regulated products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The FFDCA does not require pre-market safety testing, review, or approval for cosmetics. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that 884 of the chemicals available for use in cosmetics have been reported to the government as toxic substances. At his moment the FDA has committed zero resources for assessing the safety problems of those chemicals which have been found to cause genetic damage, biological mutations, and cancer. Because of minimal regulation, products plainly dangerous to your health can be, and are, being sold.
Most common ingredients in your everyday facial products:
- Alkylphenol Ethoylates
- Benzene
- Coal Tar
- Benzoic Acid
- Methyl
- Butyl
- Benzyl Benzoate
- Propyl
- Sodium Laurel Sulfate
- Ethyl Paraben
- Dibutyl Phthalate
- Diethanolamine
- Triethanolamine
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Imidazolidinyl Urea
- Formaldehyde
- Synthetic fragrances
- Isopropanol
- Lead Acetate
- Mercury
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Methylisothiazoline
- Parabens
- petrolatum
- Petroleum Distillates
- Phthalates
- Propylene Glycol
- PVP
- Stearalkonium Chloride
- Synthetic Dyes
- Siloxanes
- Triclosan
- Bronopol
- Talc (put down the baby powder!)
- Silica
Every one of these ingredients is a known carcinogen. And this is only a partial list! The skin is extremely permeable. Cosmetic ingredients most certainly are absorbed through the skin. Some chemicals may penetrate the skin in significant amounts, especially when left on the skin for long periods, as in the case of facial makeup. One study showed that 73 percent of the cosmetic preservative butylate hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 69 percent of the carcinogenic pesticide DDT (which is found in some cosmetics containing lanolin) is absorbed through the skin.
So what can you do?
First I would visit the Skin Deep database online, and put the makeups and personal care products that you are currently using into the search bar. Find out what they contain, and if they are safe. The Skin Deep database is sponsored by the Environmental Working Group, and their goal is to create online safety profiles for cosmetics and personal care products.
Product Recommendation
I stumbled across a really amazing product about 3 years ago online. My friend and I were talking about all the different mineral makeups out there and how most of them still contain talc and bismuth oxychloride, every brand I had ever researched was incredibly expensive as well. My cost for a year supply of mineral foundation alone would have been well over $250! So I got my nerd on, and started searching. I called several companies and asked lots of questions about the ingredients. I ended up with ONE company from my list of 22 that offered to email me a complete list of their ingredients.
Everyday Minerals
Ingredients:
- Mica (a natural mineral colorant)
- Lauroyl Lysine (Lauroyl lysine is a derivative of lauric acid and lysine, a naturally occurring amino acid)
- Zinc Oxide (Zinc Oxide is an inorganic oxide used as a colorant and sunscreen agent)
- Iron Oxide (Iron oxides are inorganic minerals used as colorants)
That’s it! These are all natural minerals mined from the earth, and they are all particulates too big to be absorbed by the skin. I have used the mineral base makeup ($12) the eye shadows ($4.50) lip color ($6) lip balm ($7) and blush ($5) for 3 years now. The coverage is superb and it lasts a very long time! It does not dry your skin out, or settle into fine lines and wrinkles. They have a wide variety of colors, and they offer free samples so you can find the correct color for your skin! (I don’t make one penny if you use this company, I just like to recommend products that support a healthy body). I have had several people comment that I look younger than my age, I think it’s because these minerals make your skin look even and fresh and moist. (plus I eat coconut oil and butter by the tablespoon. mmm butter)
I spend $35 dollars on makeup and it lasts me more than a year. My last order from Everyday Minerals was in May of 2011 and I have over 1/3 of a container of foundation left. I wear makeup 6-7 days a week, so a little must go a looonnnnggg way 
So happy makeup shopping! Don’t forget to select your free sample, then you can try out all the new colors for free.
