Heavy Metals in Cosmetics
In pursuit of outer beauty we are spending a fortune on injectables, facials, skin care, face lifts, body treatments, supplements, superfoods and more!
Each time we swipe our credit card for hundreds of dollars, we are hoping to find a long-lasting solution, a miracle.
After all looking good on the outside will make us feel good on the INSIDE?
I HEAR YOU! It is important to take good care of ourselves! Just have a balance of the inside and outside care:).
In this article I will show you how toxic makeup causes premature makeup and what to do about it so you can FEEL great on the inside, LOOK amazing on the outside and live a LONG healthy and happy life all at once - something NO Med Spa can ever offer you.
Are you ready to learn my secret?
Heavy metals and chemicals have been found as contaminants in a huge range of cosmetic products, including sunscreen, foundation, nail polish, whitening toothpaste, lipstick, and even foundation!
When you put products containing chemicals and toxic metals onto your skin, they’re absorbed straight into your bloodstream without filtration of any kind! These toxins can then bioaccumulate over time, making you sick and old.
Why Are Heavy Metals in Cosmetics?
Heavy metals are a natural part of the Earth’s crust. And a result of industrial pollution, they are also present in our water, soil and air.
When it comes to cosmetics, some metals are contaminants of the chemical combining process, while others serve as colorants. Makeup dyes are derived from either petroleum or minerals, raw materials which come from the Earth’s crust and are, technically, “natural.”
Heavy metals are contaminants that tag along with both mineral and synthetic ingredients used to give products color. So even if a company is not intentionally adding heavy metals to their cosmetic products, they still may wind up in there anyway.
Additionally, several ingredients derived from plant sources that are often used in makeup — like cottonseed oils and rice derivatives — may also contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury.
There Is No “Safe” Exposure Level for Heavy Metals
Regulation of the beauty industry is almost nonexistent. In fact, here in the U.S. the federal government hasn’t passed a law to regulate ingredients in beauty products since 1937. The FDA recommends .1 ppm in candy but says 20ppm is ok in face makeup, and up to 65ppm can be used around the eyes. Most fascinating of all is that a small dose can have a big impact. 1 part per a billion is the equivalent to 1 teaspoon of food coloring in an Olympic size pool. BUT, think about this: .035 part per billion is the active ingredient in the NuvaRing, and it will stop conception!
Even if there were “safe” levels determined for these products, when you add up the exposures that most women get between multiple beauty products and the consistent use, you have a greater likelihood for toxic levels to be reached. The specific danger of heavy metals is that they bio-accumulate, meaning that every trace exposure adds up.
Heavy metals get stored in the bones and stay in our bodies for decades.
The Dangers and Harmful Effects of Metals in Makeup
Lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, and mercury are the metals that are of the greatest concern and they are linked to all kinds of health problems.
Let’s take a look at how you may be exposed to them through cosmetics and the harm they cause to your well-being!
Lead is linked to neurotoxicity that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems. It has also been linked to infertility, hormonal and menstrual irregularities, and delayed onset of puberty in girls and the development of testes in boys. It is found in lipstick, lipgloss and other lip products
Arsenic is linked to non-reproductive organ toxicity and hormone disruption. It is commonly found in a foundation
Cadmium is linked to cancer, tumors, heart, lung damage and birth defects. It is found in concealer and eyeliner.
Mercury (THIMEROSAL) — The FDA has banned the use of mercury compounds in all cosmetics except those used around the eyes, where levels are limited to 65 parts per million (ppm). It can accumulate in the body and may cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, or neurotoxic manifestations. Mercury is considered particularly toxic to the developing brain during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood. It is found in mascara.
A word of caution: Mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium, are all naturally occurring elements. So even if your products are labeled as “natural,” “organic,” or DIY, they can still harbor dangerous heavy metals inside at unsafe levels.
You can take steps to reduce, and even eliminate, your exposure to heavy metals through your cosmetics! Here are my tips to choose makeup that is metal-free and safe for you!
1. Check your products for safety — Search all of your personal care products (as well as cleaning supplies, etc.) on the Healthy Living App.
2. Shop with a transparent company that is intentionally banning harmful ingredients.
3. Only wear makeup with a dedicated metal testing policy — Shop safe with a brand that 3rd party tests every batch of makeup for heavy metals.
4. Switch to safe starting with the basics — Replacement buying is a great way to slowly and affordably swap out your products. This means as you run out, you upgrade to a safer replacement product.
There are some reliable companies and products out there that you can use to beautify yourself and still have peace of mind that the products you are using are safe, clean, and won’t contain any harmful heavy metals.