I was never a big makeup wearer. I dabbled with it a little in high school, but I was never a fan of pouring time and effort into making my face each morning (it was bad enough my curly hair rarely cooperated). As I got older, I liked wearing a little makeup for special events, but nothing extravagant. I was always the natural makeup type.

When I entered my natural health era, I learned about the ingredients in makeup and how many can contribute to skin care conditions despite being advertised as “hypoallergenic.” After that, I went on a mission to find toxin-free options. First, I asked the natural health community for non-toxic recommendations free from my aloe vera allergen. To my surprise, most of the brands suggested to me were greenwashed. This experience made me realize we needed better options and education, and, well, here we are.

If you Google the top makeup brands, you’ll see some high-end brands. When I searched the term, the second option on my shopping tab was a $395 Natura Bissé Diamond Extreme Cream. Not only was the item extremely expensive, but the listing didn’t even mention the ingredients. With such an expensive ingredient, you’d think the product was made out of gold, but after some online searching, I found the ingredient list. Are you ready? Spoiler alert: There is no gold, and about half of the ingredients are unpronounceable toxins!

Water (Aqua), Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Propanediol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Fruit Extract, Inulin, Sodium Phytate, Phytosphingosine, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Pistacia Lentiscus (Mastic) Gum, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Trehalose, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Artemia Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Arginine, Betaine, Tocopherol, Glucose, Dimethicone, Tribehenin, Carbomer, Cetyl Phosphate, Polyacrylamide, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octadecyl Di-t-Butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol, Laureth-7, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Alcohol Denat., Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance (Parfum), Linalool, Limonene, Coumarin, Geraniol, Citronellol, alpha-Isomethyl Ionone (1).

This is just one makeup example. I could go over them all, but this post would never end. So, let’s move on and discuss some common ingredients in mainstream makeup.

Concerning Ingredients in Mainstream Makeup

Awareness of not-so-good ingredients is important so you can be informed and know what to look for. Remember, if you are unfamiliar with an ingredient, do a quick Google search. I also have an album dedicated to toxic ingredients in my judgment-free Facebook group, The Holistic Hipppie Community.

Aluminum

Aluminum-containing products are often made with aluminum powder. This ingredient is usually used as a colorant. If you read my post Should You Worry About Heavy Metals?, you know that by definition, aluminum is a heavy metal (2). Aluminum can result in the formation of Alzheimer’s disease and even organ-system toxicity that may disrupt hormone balance (). Additionally, high levels of aluminum exposure can result in neurological and respiratory problems (4).

Caprylyl Glycol

Caprylyl glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, such as coconut and palm oils (5). It is a humectant that pulls water into the skin and helps to hold moisture. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, and for most, it isn’t. However, caprylyl glycol can irritate some skin types, particularly those already sensitized or irritated (6). It’s also important to note that coconut and palm oil are highly comedogenic, which can clog pores and worsen acne symptoms (7,8).

Formaldehyde

If you read my post, The Truth About Formaldehyde, you know there are two types of formaldehyde – naturally occurring and synthetically made, and the two couldn’t be more different. Naturally occurring formaldehyde is a carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen substance found in every living organism, from humans to animals and plants, as part of the metabolic process (9). Contrarily, synthetically made formaldehyde combines methyl alcohol vapors, and the air is passed over a platinized asbestos, copper, or silver catalyst (10). Synthetic formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable chemical used to embalm dead bodies. It is often used in household cleaners, glues, fungicides, germicides, disinfectants, and preservatives but is not allowed to be added to our food as a preservative. Short-term, formaldehyde can cause watery eyes, burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, wheezing, skin irritation, and nausea. Long-term, they aren’t too sure but believe it may cause an increased risk of cancer (11).

Fragrances

Fragrance is a blanket term for the 3,100 stock chemical ingredients the fragrance industry uses (12). If you read my post, The Truth About Fragrance, you know about 95 percent of fragrances are derived from petrochemicals like benzene derivatives, aldehydes, phthalates, and many other known toxins. Fragrance ingredients can cause cancer, congenital disabilities, nervous system disorders, and allergies (13).

Parabens

Parabens are often listed on ingredient lists as butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben. These ingredients were found in the breast tissues of 19 out of 20 women with breast cancer in a 2004 study (14). This doesn’t necessarily mean parabens cause cancer, but they penetrate the skin, so their other harmful effects may be doing even more than studies have learned so far. The main concern with this chemical is that studies have suggested that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body, harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer (15).

Petroleum

Petroleumclogs pores and often causes acne breakouts and rashes. It has also been linked to estrogen dominance, a common condition in which sufferers have a high ratio of estrogen with little to no progesterone to balance its effects in the body (16). Petroleum has been linked to estrogen dominance, a common condition in which sufferers have a high ratio of estrogen with little to no progesterone to balance its effects in the body (17). Additionally, petroleum can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are also associated with cancer (18). Nonetheless, the European Union classifies it as a carcinogen and restricts its use in cosmetics (9).

Phosphates

Phosphates refer to a wide variety of chemical compounds, including but not limited to Orthophosphates, Pryophosphates, Polyphosphates, Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP), Tetrapotassoim Pyrophosphate (TKPP), Trisodium phosphates (TSP), Tetra-Sodium Pyrophosphates, Potassium Pyrophosphates, and Sodium Potassium Pyrophosphate (0). Exposure to phosphates has been linked to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and even death (1). Additionally, studies have found a connection between phosphates and hormone (endocrine) disruption (22).

Silicones

Silicones are often listed as dimethicone, cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, amodimethicone, PEG-12 dimethicone, dimethiconol, phenyl trimethicone, dimethicone copolymer, amongst many other “cone” names. Silicones do not belong on your skin. Silicones trap debris in your pores, cause acne and congestion, dull and dehydrate your skin, interfere with cell renewal, block other ingredients from absorbing, are difficult to remove, and deliver nothing beneficial to your skin (23).

Sulfates

Sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl taurate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, and disodium laureth sulfosuccinate are aggressive detergents or surfactants made of sulfur-containing mineral salts. Sulfates are found both naturally and synthetically (24). They’re linked to skin, eye, and lung inflammation, internal organ damage, and acute skin and eye irritation (25,26,27). Some sources even mention sulfates irritate the skin, drying the skin and leading to acne breakouts (28). Additionally, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database considers SLS a “moderate hazard” and has been linked to endocrine disruption (29).

Talc

Talc, in its natural form, often contains asbestos, a substance known to cause cancers in and around the lungs when inhaled (30). In 1976, the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrances Association (CTFA), now known as the Personal Care Products Council (the trade association representing the cosmetic and personal care products industry), issued voluntary guidelines stating that all talc used in cosmetic products in the United States should be free from detectable amounts of asbestos according to their standards? This doesn’t mean that asbestos-free talc is safe, though! Studies that exposed lab animals (rats, mice, and hamsters) to asbestos-free talc in various ways have had mixed results, with some showing tumor formation and others not finding any (31).

Triclosan

Triclosan is an antimicrobial ingredient used to slow or stop the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mildew (32). In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned triclosan in household soap products (33). This ruling occurred after the manufacturers failed to provide conclusive proof that Triclosan was safe and effective despite research suggesting concern over hormonal effects and potentially causing long-term public health risks (34). Despite knowing this, triclosan is still used in cosmetic products as a preservative to stop bacteria growth (35).

Natural Makeup Recommendations

I haven’t found many natural makeup brands I am comfortable recommending. So far, my list is two, and when I’m really desperate for a cleaner option, I will opt for Burt’s Bees even though I know they’re greenwashed. Please note: these brands are not perfect, but they’re a great starting point for finding cleaner products you can use and hopefully love. Please read the ingredients and ensure the products you purchase coincide with your journey.

• 100% PURE isn’t just their name or ingredient list. It’s a commitment to producing the purest, healthiest products and educating everyone on why being 100% PURE is so important. They strive to live with compassion, kindness, and empathy, be environmentally sustainable, and improve the lives of 6 billion people and animals while being charitable and giving back to our global community. Please note, 100% PURE does not offer samples at this time, but they hope to in the future. However, they have a foundation guide and concealer guide to help find the perfect shade. They also offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.
• Prim and Pure is focused on providing earth-friendly and sustainable products and practices. They source a variety of organic and plant-based ingredients. They promise always to be non-toxic, cruelty-free, made in the USA, and free from parabens, phthalates, GMOs, synthetic dyes, non-toxic, gluten, and nanoparticles. Prim & Pure donates a portion of all profits to various children’s causes.

Product Disclaimer

Product recommendations are affiliate links. I do not own or make these products. Recommendations are selected according to ingredients at the time article was written and can change at any time. I encourage you to double-check ingredients and research each company to ensure they’re suitable for your journey.

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