Tuesday, January 15, 2008

How to Find Non-Toxic Makeup

Introduction

Whether you have a serious health issue or not, you might want to pay attention to what your body is absorbing through your skin when you wear makeup. Most readily-available makeup is loaded with chemicals that are either untested for long-term effects on your health, or that may already be proven to have potentially harmful qualities. It can be quite a challenge for someone who is concerned about potentially damaging ingredients to find good makeup that doesn't contain toxins. What toxins do you look for on the label? Where can you find a list of manufacturers that produce non-toxic makeup? Learn how, right here!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need

  • Computer with internet access.
  • (Optional)Credit card for shopping online, if you wish to purchase makeup online.

Steps

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Step One

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A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter

First, get informed about ingredients used in makeup. A great resource is A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients (Paperback)
by Ruth Winter, available online at Amazon or in local health-food stores. Some ingredients to research and learn about include: parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde (a known carcinogen). Another good resource is the website for The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (www.safecosmetics.org).
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Step Two

Second, check your current makeup for potentially harmful ingredients. Throw away the ones you decide aren't the best quality for your health, or phase them out if you choose, by planning to replace them with non-toxic products. Most department store brand ingredients are not regulated, so watch out; even the brand Origins is not completely non-toxic (however, check each product to know for sure as they have added some organic products to their line).
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Step Three

To find non-toxic makeup, the best source I have found is at www.safecosmetics.org. The list is at: http://www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm
I know it's a long list, but the good news is that there are a lot of choices! I've had lots of fun going through these sites hunting for safer makeup, and I think you will too! In fact, some offer samples at a lower price so that you can try the items first. Alternatively, local health-food stores sometimes have a selection of non-toxic makeup as well, but watch out, as many still contain some questionable ingredients. I have found that prices for non-toxic makeup are often the same or less than the big department store brands, even though the ingredients can be of better quality (you aren't paying for ad campaigns and fancy packaging).
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Step Four

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Beautiful and Safer Nail Polish from Anise Cosmetics

If you love getting your nails done, please also consider the potentially harmful effects of nail polish, nail polish remover, and artificial nails such as acrylic ones. There is a reason nail techs wear masks! The good news is that there are safer options. For example, check out this website: www.anisecosmetics.com. You can also do an internet search for water-based nail polish. Or even better, go natural! I have gotten many compliments on natural, buffed nails!

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