Are your skincare and makeup safe? Safe??? That’s a question I never even thought to ask. Until last year. As I was paying more attention to what I put in my body, I began realizing that my skin, being the biggest organ, was absorbing into my system everything I put on it. And while I was putting a lot of attention into buying organic fruits and vegetables and grass-fed and pastured meats, I realized I had no idea what was in my makeup and skincare products. I became a little detective and was shocked at what I found in some of my products!!! Most of us use cosmetics and other personal care items without a second thought, believing that the government oversees their safety. Not so. No health studies or pre-market testing are required for these products! Here’s what else I learned:
1938??
That’s a lot! Okay, so how many does the U.S. ban?
11! AND, only about 10% of the 10,000 chemicals found in personal care products have safety data.
That’s not okay!!
Researchers at U.C. Berkeley’s School of Public Health published a study in 2013 that detected lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum and other metals in many popular brands of lipsticks and lip glosses commonly found in drugstores and department stores. They went on to state that cosmetic products contain thousands of chemicals, some of which have been associated with reproductive, developmental, or other health issues.
The study also noted that children are especially susceptible to heavy metal accumulation and should not play with makeup. Think of all the young girls that apply makeup daily or even multiple times a day?
Unlike food where we may be eating the same thing just a few times a week, we are putting these products on our bodies every day.
I began looking for safer skincare and makeup.
WELCOME TO BEAUTYCOUNTER
Decades of studies show that serious health issues (including, but not limited to, asthma, learning disabilities, cancer and infertility) are on the rise, and due in some part to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it’s in the shower, on our commute, while we eat lunch at a local restaurant, or when we clean our homes.
What’s worse is the Food and Drug Administration (the agency that regulates cosmetics) allows companies to use chemicals known to be extremely harmful (lead, formaldehyde, and phthalates) in the products we put on our bodies and on our kids every single day, day after day.
We deserve better. That’s why I’ve partnered with BEAUTYCOUNTER.
At Beautycounter, we’ve banned more than 1,500 ingredients setting a new health and safety standard— all while ensuring our products perform, and that they’re as indulgent as any luxe shampoo, lipstick or oil in the market. I didn’t only fall in love with Beautycounter because their products are safe and high performing, but I wanted to work with a company that is working towards real change. Beautycounter is dedicated to making changes on the legislative level and creating a safe skincare movement. They are taking action in Washington and working to reform the current laws, in hopes that other skin care companies will follow their strict safety guidelines. They also work very closely to support 3 non-profit organizations that are doing great work to reduce our amount of chemical exposure.