Solid Geekery

• In October 2007, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics revealed that 61% of name-brand lipsticks analyzed contained hazardous levels of lead. The FDA does not set lead standards for lipstick, so it is permissible for cosmetic companies to expose consumers to dangerous levels of the metal, without facing repercussions. In addition, the FDA does not have the authority to recall products.
• The Environmental Working Group recently released Skin Deep, a report on the safety of cosmetics and personal care products. They have found that a third of products tested contain one or more ingredients that are either known or possible human carcinogens. The results from this report can be viewed at www.cosmeticdatabase.com, where there is a list of every type of beauty product you could ever imagine, accompanied with a score of 0-2 (low hazard), 3-6 (moderate hazard), or 7-10 (high hazard). A word of advice when you look up your favorite products… expect the worst. I fooled myself into believing (or perhaps a strong dose of wishful thinking) that no product I use could contain anything harmful, but almost EVERY product I use contains a moderate to high level of harmful chemicals. How could you do this to me Neutrogena?!?

We Should Have Learned from Narcissus’ Fate

This presence of dangerous chemicals in makeup is not a new problem of today, but rather began in the days of Cleopatra. Egyptians used copious amounts of eye makeup known to contain ores of copper, lead sulfide, and kohl (composed of soot, fatty matter and metal). The skin around the eye is very thin, and is in close proximity to mucous membranes, so applying layers of toxic beauty in this area is a huge no-no. Grecians and Romans were not far behind in their quest for beauty when they decided that slathering their entire faces with white lead was a good idea. Unlike the bronzed skin tone that is sought-after in today’s age, a very pale, ghost-like complexion was a quality to be desired back then. This whitening paste would actually disintegrate the skin, leading to scarring. The solution to one’s skin falling off??? Put more makeup on to cover it up of course! What a treacherous cycle of self-mutilation for the sake of prettiness.

Lead poisoning or perfection - it’s a toss up!

The following is a small list of harmful chemicals commonly found in cosmetics that you should try to avoid: bentonite, propylene glycol, diethanolamine (DEA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), benzyl phanone, sodium benzoate, glycerin, collagen, and talc.  So what will do when you find out that the things that make you feel and look beautiful may also be contributing to your health problems? Hmmm, I know this is a toughy for me…