What's in your makeup? 💄 Even a lot of "natural" cosmetics contain some of these ingredients, including some of the most popular "natural" makeup companies out there. Let's go into them individually a little bit more and see why it's so important to avoid them.
Just like we talked about in our Home Detox class, Greenwashing is a big problem. Companies promote themselves and their products as natural but really aren't healthy or toxin-free. If you have a "natural" makeup, pull them out or look up their ingredients online and see if they have any of the ingredients we're about to discuss!
Talc: For decades, this was used on baby's little bums. And then we learn it's carcinogenic and highly contributes to ovarian cancer risk in females. This is a perfect example of an ingredient that is totally "natural" (it's a naturally-occurring mineral) but is definitely not toxin-free.
Preservatives may be used in cosmetics to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. The parabens used most commonly in cosmetics are methylparaben, propylparaben,butylparaben, and ethylparaben. These are anything but natural or toxin free.
Parabens are potential endocrine disruptors due to their ability to mimic estrogen. Studies demonstrate that at sufficient concentrations, parabens can increase cell proliferation in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.
Applying personal care product containing parabens—especially methylparaben—can lead to UV-induced damage of skin cells and disruption of cell proliferation (cell growth rate). Daily application, in particular, can lead to increased concentrations of methylparaben because it is not completely metabolized. Parabens combined with other estrogenic chemicals may potentially influence the development of malignant melanoma, one form of skin cancer, through their estrogenic and genotoxic activites.
Some parabens reduce sperm production and lead to reduced testosterone levels.
Some forms of parabens are banned in Denmark.
This petroleum-derived "natural" ingredient could very well be one of the worst. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Women's Health reported: "There is strong evidence that mineral oil hydrocarbons are the greatest contaminant of the human body, amounting to approximately 1 g per person."
The researchers removed fat specimens from 142 women who were undergoing C-sections, and collected milk samples from them post-delivery. Scarily, they found that both the fat and the milk were contaminated with mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons. The authors concluded: "The increase in MOSH [mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons] concentration in human fat tissue with age suggests an accumulation over time. Cosmetics might be a relevant source of the contamination."
Yikes!
Does your current makeup or body care products contain mineral oil??
Bismuth is a pervasive ingredient found in some of the most popular "natural" beauty makeup companies. And while it's not as toxic as mineral oil, bismuth blocks the pores and causes acne--specifically whiteheads and blackheads. Bismuth does not allow the skin to breathe, blocking our body's natural ability to detox the things we put on our face. So the combined effect of bismuth used in conjunction with other toxins is especially dangerous.
If you are using conventional lipstick, may I encourage you to STOP?!!
There are no regulations to test and limit the levels of heavy metals in cosmetics. Many lipsticks have been independently tested and found to contain high levels of mercury, lead, and other neurotoxins.
(And BTW if your "natural" lipstick has any red without artificial colors, it comes from carmines (bugs).)
Every time you lick your lips, you could be ingesting heavy metals.
And guys--you are too when you kiss her. Give her your blessing to spend a little more money on safe lipstick. 😉💋💄
You're asking, "What now?" I know. I spent years asking myself that question. For a time, I pretty much gave up on makeup. I'd rather go with the au naturae look than put toxins on every day. I dabbled with natural makeup but much of it that was truly natural just really didn't work well. And I didn't even know about bismuth and talc so I thought I was getting good stuff!
Then last summer, Young Living released Savvy Minerals Makeup. Only the best ingredients and none that are promoted as "natural" but can be toxic. (More info on the ingredients here: https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/c/savvy-minerals-by-young-living#ingredients )
Savvy Makeup from Young Living has everything you need to get started--many shades of foundation, blushes, eyeshadows, eyebrow/eyeliner, lipstick, lip gloss, and mascara (currently being reformulated).
I was excited but knew this would entail a learning curve as I didn't really have any experience with mineral makeup. Turns out--it's easier to use than I thought! And provides better coverage! But does it really work? Can you really get good coverage? Stay tuned for a few before and after photos!
While anyone can purchase Savvy Minerals anytime, it was just recently announced The Savvy Minerals Makeup Premium Starter kit will be available at 12 a.m. MST on February 1!!! This is a great way to get a discounted price on the makeup and a great way to become a new member with Young Living for those who aren't already! Here are the details:
Wholesale: $150.00
PV: 100
Four collections that include choice of:
1 foundation (Cool 2, Warm 2, Dark 1, and Dark 4)
1 blush
1 lipgloss
3 eye shadows
Foundation brush
Misting Spray
5 ml Lavender oil
But if you're not already a wholesale member, you don't have to wait until February to get started! You can simply grab any current kit (including the Basic Starter Kit for $45 which covers your membership fee) and add the makeup you want to your order! (If you add the makeup to a custom Essential Rewards order, you can get some freebies too!)
And here's something really exciting--Young Living members can get their Savvy products for FREE!!!!!!! Toxin-free high-quality makeup for FREE?!! Yes! Young Living recently announced that members can redeem their saved Essential Rewards points to snag some Savvy products!
There is lots more great info on Savvy makeup including how to use them with instructional videos, ingredients, and more here: https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/c/savvy-minerals-by-young-living
And this Facebook page has FABULOUS tips for getting the most coverage and dramatic looks with mineral makeup: https://www.facebook.com/thesavvymess/
Young Living also offers a wide range of skin care products all made with the same standards as our Savvy Minerals Makeup. No matter your skin type or your age, there’s something for everyone. Two of the must haves when using Savvy Minerals is ART Renewal Serum and ART Light Moisturizer. You may find you like a heavier moisturizer like the ART Intensive Moisturizer. The ART Light Moisturizer can be combined with a lighter-colored foundation and used as an undereye concealer. Those with a few age-related beauty lines around the eyes may prefer to use a lighter foundation color moistened only with the Savvy Misting Spray so it doesn't settle into those beauty lines. ;)
Thank you so much for joining us in this class! Stay tuned in this group for more tips and info including how to get better coverage, how to pick your foundation color, and more! Please be sure to follow up with the Oily Friends member who invited you this event for additional assistance!