Did you know your skin absorbs everything that is applied to it? Similar to how the products you put in your body can affect your overall health, what you put on your skin can react negatively both topically and internally.
Many ingredients, in particular chemical ones, can cause skin reactions and may be absorbed into the bloodstream. That’s why it is important to know what ingredients are in your makeup and what those ingredients actually do.
Many makeups with chemicals contain carcinogens, unhealthy chemical sunscreens, and additional ingredients that may harm your skin’s health and appearance.
Meanwhile natural makeups may use minerals for color pigment and sun protection, plant vitamins for skin treatment and nourishment, and an array of additional natural ingredients that help protect your skin from the elements and aging.
What is Mineral Makeup Made Of?
Mineral makeup is made of natural substances found in the earth, i.e. iron oxides for color pigment, mica for light reflection, zinc oxide for sun protection, and titanium dioxide for sun protection and to whiten and brighten color cosmetics. In addition, plants are often used as the basis for vitamin enrichment and hydration, and natural oils are used for moisture. Natural makeup relies on products from our earth to effectively take care of our skin, instead of synthetic ingredients.
Mineral makeups contain natural minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients offer natural protection from the sun and harmful blue light. They also do not cause harmful chemical reactions with the skin that many chemical makeups do. These reactions commonly result in skin conditions such as photosensitivity.
Minerals are used to protect the skin from the sun and from premature signs of aging.
11 Common and Harmful Chemicals Often Found in Regular Makeup:
-
Bismuth oxychloride
Bismuth oxychloride is used to give makeup a matte or shimmery appearance, but as a heavy metal, it can cause irritation, itching, and breakouts.
-
Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
Formaldehyde is a known skin sensitizer, allergen, and carcinogen.- It usually appears as these ingredients:
- DMDM hydantoin
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Methenamine
- Quaternium-15
- Sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate
- 5-Bromo-5nitro-1,3-dioxane
- It usually appears as these ingredients:
-
Kaolin
Kaolin is a type of white clay used in ceramics and found in sandstone, clay, and granite. It is often used in cosmetics to absorb skin oil and moisture. However, if you’re prone to dry skin it can cause skin irritation.
-
Lead
61% of lipsticks contain lead, including some of the major store brands. It's a neurotoxin linked to learning, language, and behavioral problems, as well as reproductive and hormonal issues in both men and women.
-
Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used frequently in cosmetics, perfumes, and soaps that some evidence suggests is an irritant for people with eczema.
-
Phthalates
Phthalates are chemicals found in color cosmetics and are linked to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and cancer.
-
Retinyl palmitate, Retinyl acetate, Retinoic acid, and Retinol
Retinol products are popular because of their anti-aging properties. However, you must be very careful when exposed to the sun while wearing these products. Because they do a mild to intense peeling of the skin, you are always exposing fresh, new skin to the sun, which is more likely to burn and in turn be a catalyst for skin cancers.
-
Silicones
Silicones are added to skin and hair products to give them that smooth, silky feel. But if used too often or left on too long, they can seal in bacteria, sebum, and impurities, leaving the skin prone to breakouts. In addition, over time they may dry out hair and skin.
-
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
This is found in many cream-based cosmetics, such as foundation and concealer, as it helps skin and hair absorb products. It can also cause skin irritation, canker sores, eye damage, and acne.
-
Talc
Research continually shows that talc in a product is harmful. It is a deadly cancer-causing agent that belongs nowhere near us and our skin. Fibers of asbestos are small and can imbed themselves in talc, and when applied to the skin may cause inflammation and irritation, enter the bloodstream, and produce cancer cells.
-
Triclosan
Triclosan is an antimicrobial chemical found in some cosmetics and is linked to thyroid issues.
How to Avoid Choosing Makeups with Harmful Ingredients
This list above is simply a partial list; there are many more chemical ingredients that are questionable with regard to skin, hair and body products.
Sometimes I say, pick your poisons, as it is difficult to eliminate all harmful chemicals in our daily life, but the key is to BE AWARE. Please also understand that all chemicals are not bad.
When you are aware of the ingredients that go into your products, you can make a conscious and prudent decision with regard to what products you choose to put on your body and to ingest. PLEASE READ LABELS.
My intention with Susan Posnick Cosmetics is to always give you the BEST products- all natural when possible, or combining the best of nature and science, as there are some chemicals that can add value to a product. Everyone has different skin sensitivities, and any ingredient may cause a skin reaction, but we do know that natural ingredients will not enter the bloodstream or the skin in an unhealthy way.
By choosing makeup from Susan Posnick Cosmetics, you can trust that your skin is safe because we do not use harmful ingredients.
Susan Posnick Cosmetics has been a pioneer in developing clean mineral makeup for over 20 years. Susan’s experience makes these the leading cosmetics in offering healthy alternatives to the many toxic-laden makeups that currently exist on the market.
Susan Posnick Is A True Beauty Expert
Susan spent 20+ years working as a celebrity makeup artist traveling the world on photo shoots, commercials, and films. In addition, for many years Susan was the personal makeup artist for a number of high-profile women, including Mary Kay of Mary Kay Cosmetics.
When Susan was diagnosed with skin cancer and knew she highly reactive to chemical sunscreens, she shifted creative direction and began creating a natural, healthy sunscreen/foundation that could be carried with you for all-day application and protection. This first product COLORFLO, is the original compact, multi-purpose color cosmetic product, designed to de-clutter your makeup life and routine, using healthy products.
Susan is the recipient of an International Humanitarian Award which she received in Vienna, Austria, for developing COLORFLO and Brush On Block and educating on the signs and treatment for all types of skin cancers.
Susan Posnick Cosmetics are clean and healthy and may be purchased worldwide in spas, apothecaries, salons, and specialty retail stores and on our online store.
Both Susan and her products have been featured in major publications and magazines including INSTYLE, Marie Claire, VOGUE, Allure, Real Simple, Lucky, and Town and Country.
Feel free to contact us with any questions and to purchase your healthy beauty products and gift cards from Susan Posnick Cosmetics.
Your beauty is our business!
