One of my fondest memories I have growing up is watching my Mom getting ready for a night out. So much so that the smell of make up takes me right back to those memories and gives me that warm fuzzy feeling. Knowing what I know now though that the smell that gives me that endorphin rush is also filling my body up with unwanted toxins, specifically heavy metals.
In 2007 the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics was asking questions about the safety of cosmetics and it is then that the FDA started looking into heavy metal exposure through different types of cosmetics. They found that 99% of lipsticks for instance had at least 10ppm of lead if not more. From this report the FDA then assumed it is safe as this amount is not measurable in the blood and they assume that there is zero absorption through the skin. Now if you look at the anatomy of our skin you don’t have to be a science student to realize that the skin is a porous organ that will absorb any particles small enough to make their way through.
Mercury, a known neurotoxin is allowed in eye make in the amount of 65ppm, and 1ppm in other products. We are well aware now that the half life of mercury in the brain is decades and has a direct affect on our pituitary gland that control our hormones and the organs that secrete these hormones.
What baffles me the most is the lack of interest in the FDA’s part to monitor and control the substances that are used in these cosmetics. The FDA only has to approve the color additives before a product hits the shelves and the cosmetic company is under no obligation to share its safety procedures for any of the ingredients used. When reading the label you will not find labels such as contains heavy metals, what you will find are names like Bismuth Oxychloride which is a byproduct of lead and copper.
In 2012 and 2013 the FDA did two different surveys to look at the amounts of heavy metals in eyes shadows, blushes, and compact powders. Heavy metals were found in all 3, lipstick however containing the highest amounts. The FDA again assumes since the heavy metals are bound to mineral they may not get absorbed by the skin.
This isn’t just a conversation about heavy metals, we are looking at hormones disruptors, carcinogens, and so much more. Below is a list of ingredients you may find in your products that have harmful effects.
Fragrances and phthalates:
- “Fragrance” (listed as an ingredient)
- Diethyl phthalate
- Dibutyl phthalate (nail polish)
- Lilial (butylphenylmethylpropanal)
- Formaldehyde-releasing chemicals:
- DMDM hydantoin
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Quaternium-15
- Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol )
- 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
- Hydroxymethylglycinate
- Parabens:
- Propyl-
- Isopropyl-
- Butyl-
- Isobutyl-
- Mercury:
- Thimerosal
- Thiomersal
- Elicide
- Ethyl (2-Mercaptobenzoato-S) mercury
- Sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate
So what does this mean to you? Did you ever wonder why Women tend to get sicker than Men? It could be that Women are more likely to talk about what is going on for them, or could it be that we are subjected to health altering products everyday that disrupt our hormones and in turn disrupt our immune system causing Autoimmunity.
Out of all the cases of Auto-Immune disorders, 75% of them are usually Women! Women come into our office everyday looking for answers and reasons for why they feel the way they do. Below is a list of some of the symptoms that many women are dealing with today….
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Hair loss
- Weight Gain or difficulty losing weight
- Hormonal challenges like PMS, Hot flashes, Night Sweats etc
- Or simply just not feeling like yourself!
The list could really go on an on. However, I bet most of you wouldn’t link the beautiful cosmetics you use everyday to weight gain around your abdomen or brain fog and even fatigue.
The good news is this is something we can change. With more awareness and more knowledge around what we use on a daily basis can help shift the toxicity levels in the body. With the right detox support we can help remove the toxins and help alleviate the symptoms we are feeling to allow us to live a full and joyful life!
Below is a great website that you can use to find out exactly what ingredients may be harmful to you.
There are also apps you can download on your phone such as, Cosmetic Ingredients and What’s on my face.
There are things in our environment that we may not have control over, however makeup is something we can. Choose yourself, choose your health and choose the life you want and deserve!
