Is it an urban legend? Or is it the ugly truth in the beauty industry? Our cosmetics that we use every day, day in and day out, are contaminated with heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and, yes, lead. Exposure to heavy metals in cosmetics is an important piece of the environmental health puzzle.
I do believe that cosmetics companies are not intentionally using heavy metals as ingredients in their products. However, heavy metals are frequently found in makeup because they contaminate the colorants that these companies use. Whether those colorants are “natural” ingredients that come from the earth (where heavy metals are present at random and may attach to the intentionally mined ingredients), or whether they are synthetic, heavy metal contamination seems to be common in a wide range of makeup products.
I do believe that cosmetics companies are not intentionally using heavy metals as ingredients in their products. However, heavy metals are frequently found in makeup because they contaminate the colorants that these companies use. Whether those colorants are “natural” ingredients that come from the earth (where heavy metals are present at random and may attach to the intentionally mined ingredients), or whether they are synthetic, heavy metal contamination seems to be common in a wide range of makeup products.
The effects of heavy metals are scary to think about because they build up in our bodies and can cause heart, kidney or lung damage or can be linked to neurological effects or cancer. And when you think about the fact that the average woman consumes on average 7 pounds of lipstick in a decade, just think how much that adds up to in lifetime. Our skin, our largest organ, absorbs 60% of everything we put on it, from lotions to shampoo to, yes, our makeup. And unfortunately you won’t find these contaminants listed on the packaging either, as they aren’t “ingredients” so there is no requirement products be tested for them or listed for those who want to try to avoid them.
So what’s a girl to do? Well, if you’re serious about avoiding ALL heavy metals, the sad fact is you would have to refrain from using any color cosmetics since they are ubiquitous. But the good news is that Beautycounter, a hot new LA-based brand that entered the marketplace in March 2013, just debuted a new line of color cosmetics that was tested for these metals and has set extremely low limits of allowable levels in an industry that doesn’t test for them or set any limits at all.
In this month of Breast Cancer Awareness, let’s focus on PREVENTION by avoiding toxic chemicals that have been linked to this disease. Choose a brand that you know cares about your health and your daughter’s health when she gets her hands in your makeup bag (which anyone with a daughter knows is inevitable!). Let your little girls use makeup that won’t have long-term effects on their health.
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About The Author
Michelle Nadel lives with her husband and two children in Woodcliff Lake. She formerly practiced law in New York City before moving to Bergen County to start a family. She joined Beautycounter in January 2014 after learning about their social mission to educate about the lack of regulation in the beauty industry and get safe products into the hands of everyone. If you have any questions about Beautycounter products or the business opportunity, please visit her website at www.michellenadel.beautycounter.com, email or call Michelle directly at 201-562-2231.
