Approximately 106.88 million women wear makeup in the U.S. yet many of them do not know all the ingredients in the products they put on their faces. More concerning than that, many of the makeup products you see on shelves are not required to receive FDA approval. So, what is in the makeup that millions of Americans wear daily? This article will go into what ingredients to stay away from and what makeup products to never purchase.
Ingredients to Avoid
Lead
Lead is a type of metal that is found in our earth’s crust. Over the years, lead has been used in various ways. It was mixed in paint that people covered walls and ceramics with, it has been found in batteries and gasoline, and it has been used in cosmetics. The concern with lead is that it is highly toxic to humans. Lead poisoning is usually caused by a buildup of months or years of small exposure to lead. The most common cause of lead poisoning is paint because people paint the walls of their homes with it and continuously build up small traces of it in their bodies. Some signs of lead poisoning are nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and seizures. In extreme cases, lead poisoning can be fatal.
If you wear lipstick, you may want to be more careful when shopping for a new one. Below are some well-known makeup brands that sell lead-filled lipsticks.
- Maybelline Color Sensational- Mauve Me: This product has a lead content of 4.23 ppm
- Cover Girl Continuous Color- Warm Brick : This product has a lead content of 4.28 ppm
- NARS Semi-Matte – Funny Face : This product has a lead content of 4.89 ppm
- L’Oreal Colour Riche- Volcanic: This product has a lead content of 7.00 ppm
Parabens
Parabens are chemicals that are used in cosmetics to increase shelf life and reduce mold or bacteria in the product. The issue with parabens is that they can have many negative health effects on humans. Some problems they can cause are disrupting estrogen levels, creating hormone imbalances, and reproductive development. Parabens can be found in many products including BB and CC creams, foundations, sunscreen, lipstick, and lip balm.
If you commonly wear foundation, here are some products to look out for that contain parabens:
- Maybelline Fit Me! Foundation
- L’Oréal True Match Foundation
- Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-Free Makeup
- Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation
- Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation
Fragrance
To some people’s surprise, fragrances are incredibly toxic. A lot of the fragrances are petroleum-based and contain many harmful chemicals. Some makeup companies will add fragrances to their products to either hide the unpleasant odors of the makeup or to add a signature scent. People with sensitive skin or allergies should use extra caution when shopping for makeup because fragrances can cause headaches, trigger asthma, cause rashes, and irritate the eyes and throat.
You can find fragrances in many makeup products, but a common place to find them is in eyeshadow palettes. The following are some makeup brands that use fragrances in their eyeshadows.
- Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette
- Covergirl Chocoholic Palette
- Winky Lux Coffee Eyeshadow Palette
- L’Oréal Paradise Enchanted Eyeshadow Palette
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is added to make up to thicken ingredients. It is known to irritate the skin by stripping the face of its natural oils and causing dry and itchy skin. While the risk is only moderate, if you have sensitive skin it is best to stay away from products containing Sodium Laureth Sulfate.
Some products that include Sodium Laureth Sulfate are:
- Yves Saint Laurent Vinyl Cream Lip Stain
- Covergirl Clean Normal Skin Foundation
- OLAY Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Cream Cleanser
- Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Petroleum Distillates
Petroleum distillates are a mix of hydrocarbons that help make petroleum products. It is full of chemicals and should not be used around your face. The chemicals in petroleum distillates have been found to cause cancer and other health issues. On the skin, it has been shown to cause contact dermatitis and rashes. The most common makeup product to find petroleum distillates is mascara.
If you commonly wear mascara, a well-known makeup brand that uses petroleum distillates in their mascara is Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Waterproof Very Black. To ensure that the mascara you wear does not contain this chemical, be sure to check the ingredient list.
The makeup industry is full of toxic chemicals that people put on their faces every day. To keep your family safe, be sure to look out for these ingredients and avoid them at all costs. If this article makes you concerned about all makeup, many brands sell all-natural makeup products that you can switch to. Your skin and health will thank you.


























