12 TOXIC INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN YOUR MAKEUP

Avoid at all costs what costs your health.

When we are spoilt with pore-filling primers to glitzy highlighters galore, it’s easy to lose yourself in the furore.

However, the average woman reportedly uses at least 10 products daily from 14 years of age onwards. Assuming a lifespan of at least 80 years and an average wear time of 7 hours daily, that’s a whopping 163,520 hours of exposure to non-organic, synthetic and harmful chemicals in our lifetime!

Are we going to assume that such exposure causes no harm to our health at all? We’ve already covered the adverse effect of certain harmful chemical sunscreen filters, parabens and more can have on developing fetuses in articles such as this. When such harmful chemicals are eventually absorbed into our bloodstream, there is no telling how they will damage our organ(s) and health!

If you’ve ever wondered if there are any harmful effects to brushing on makeup products loaded with non-organic, synthetic and harmful chemicals, this article is for you! Read on for the top 12 toxic ingredients that you should avoid in your makeup products! what ingredients to avoid in skincare:

1. BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

BHA and BHTs are harmful chemical compounds that function as preservatives in lipsticks and skincare products like moisturisers. Both are proven human carcinogens that can trigger undesirable skin allergies and affect the reproductive health of both men and women. There are even several government regulatory bodies which stipulate brands hawking traditional, non-organic skincare and makeup products with BHA and BHT to have a precautionary warning on their potential to cause cancer! Of course, none of Liht Organics’ organic skincare and makeup products require BHA and BHT precautionary warnings — because we would never put such harmful chemicals in our products!

2. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is found in traditional, non-organic skincare and makeup products such as eye makeup products and blushes. DBP is also used as fragrance in non-organic makeup and skincare products, but consumers won’t find this harmful chemical listed on labels. This is particularly worrisome, as DBP has been proven to disrupt hormone function and harm reproductive health. Several studies have also established that long-term exposure to high levels of DBP can result in liver and kidney failure! However, you can rest assured that Liht Organics’s DBP-free eye makeup range — featuring the Dusk to Dawn Liquid Eyeliner and Infinity Lash Mascara — are all completely safe to use near your precious peepers!

3. Synthetic Fragrances (“Parfum”)

Unlike DBP, synthetic fragrances (more commonly known as “parfum”) are listed on the labels of your skincare (e.g. sunscreen, face lotions) and makeup products (e.g. foundation). However, small amounts of synthetic fragrance can still be found lurking within the depths of traditional, non-organic skincare and makeup products marketed as “fragrance-free” or “unscented”. The terms “fragrance” and “parfum are interchangeable; a complicated olfactory blend of a hundred or even thousand synthetic chemicals, most of which are not even tested for safety. Liht Organics chooses to err on the side of caution by selecting only the best, natural fragrance derived from essential oils in its range of fully vegan, organic and natural makeup products!

4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES) are common types of detergent found in traditional, non-organic skincare and makeup products. Both are very effective surfactants that impart the foaming element to such products, stripping the daily grime and oils away. However, SLS/SLES are believed to be contaminated with the potential human carcinogen 1,4-dioxane (see “PEGs”) — which you can rest assured that Liht Organics’ fully vegan, organic and natural makeup products contain none of!

5. Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs)

PEGs are petroleum-based compounds that are commonly used in traditional, non-organic skincare and makeup products as emollient humectants. These carcinogenic compounds are commonly present as the base for creamy base makeup products such as liquid foundations, blushes and tinted moisturizers. Long-term exposure to PEGs can result in irreversible damage to the nervous system and interfere with human development, particularly in fetuses. PEGs have also been found to cause severe irritation when used on damaged or broken skin. Yet, the biggest irony is that PEGs are supposed to be enhance skin permeability, allowing for better absorption of the product — along with all the harmful chemicals within.

6. Petrolatum

Petrolatum is a humectant (i.e. petroleum jelly) found in traditional, non-organic makeup products such as lipsticks and glosses. The main concerns surrounding the use of petrolatum in non-organic makeup products lies in its possible contamination with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), the latter being the result of petrolatum not having gone through stringent refinement processes. As with most other harmful chemicals, PAHs are a known human carcinogen that may trigger skin irritation and allergies. With news on women reportedly consuming at least 7 pounds (at least 4kg!) of lip product in their lifetime, it’s worth opting for more naturally organic, yet fully vegan makeup alternatives! Try Liht Organics’ petrolatum-free, yet intensely hydrating Moisture Burst Lip Glaze — if you’re looking for a long-wearing option with a punch of pigment, you’ll adore the Color-Intense Liquid Lipstick instead!

7. Mineral Oils

Commonly found in traditional, non-organic makeup products such as hydrating foundations, mineral oils are a by-product derived from petroleum. Affordable and versatile, mineral oils lend themselves to a variety of purposes as  a lubricating agent and preservative. However, because it is derived from petrolatum, there is a possibility of it being contaminated with PAHs. Our liver can also be overworked while trying to break down these PAHs absorbed into the bloodstream, and this can lead to irreversible liver damage. Liht Organics’ base makeup products, like its awar-winning Youth Elixir Liquid Foundation are both incredibly hydrating, yet do not contain harmful chemicals such as mineral oils or PAHs!

8. Siloxanes (D4 & D5)

Siloxanes are silicon-based chemicals used in traditional, non-organic skincare and makeup products to help soften and soothe the skin. They are most commonly found in makeup products such as face primers and foundations. However, cyclotetrasiloxane and cyclopentasiloxane (D4 and D5 respectively) — two common types of siloxane — are proven to be incredibly toxic. D4 is an endocrine disruptor that interferes with hormone function and damages the reproductive health of both men and women, while high doses of D5 may cause uterine tumours and negatively influence neurotransmitters in the nervous system. You’ll definitely be hard-pressed to find any siloxanes, especially D4 and D5, in Liht Organics’ fully vegan, organic and natural makeup base products!

9. Triclosan

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent commonly used to sanitise equipment in medical settings, as well as a preservative in traditional, non-organic makeup products such as eye makeup, blush and lipsticks. It prolongs their shelf life by guarding against the growth of bacteria, fungus and mildew. However, several studies have even found traces of triclosan in samples of human urine — alluding to the strong possibility that this toxic, harmful chemical can linger in the human body and leave residual levels long after it has been passed out. When triclosan is then flushed out of our bodies and into our sewage system, it triggers a vicious chain reaction which endangers the biodiversity of our precious marine life! If you’re looking to swipe on a triclosan-free pop of colour on your eyes and cheeks, choose from the flattering shades in Liht Organics’ Sheer Radiance Blush range!

10. Aluminium

Did you know the average person will ingest close to 1.5kg of aluminium in their lifetime? That’s a whopping equivalent of 2.1 square meters of aluminium foil!

More commonly known for its antiperspirant function, aluminium is also used in traditional, non-organic makeup products such as liquid lipsticks and glosses as a thickening agent. However, researchers have found that when traditional, non-organic skincare and makeup products containing aluminium are applied frequently around the breast area, it is a key disruptor to estrogen levels and increases the likelihood of contracting breast cancer. Its use in makeup products such as lipsticks and glosses also prevent a higher risk of ingestion when used in areas near the mouth! Cut out the risk of ingesting this harmful chemical completely with Liht Organics’ aluminium-free, colorful lip products such as the Moisture Burst Lip Glaze  and Color-Intense Liquid Lipstick!

11. Heavy Metals (Mercury & Lead)

Mercury and lead are the two most common heavy metals found in traditional, non-organic foundation, concealers and other eye makeup products. When absorbed into our bloodstream, these harmful chemicals can cause respiratory toxin build-up, fluctuating hormone levels and lead poisoning — the latter having been proven dangerous to developing fetuses during pregnancy. So, don’t fret! Opt for Liht Organics’ Youth Elixir Liquid Foundation and a touch of Flawless Face Concealer without fear of swiping even the slightest trace of such heavy metals on your precious complexion!

12. Octyl Methoxycinnamate (OMC)

Lastly, we want to mention a toxic, harmful chemical that can be found in sunscreen. Most commercially produced non-organic skincare and makeup products with sun-blocking properties, however, contain OMC — a key chemical that can do our skin more harm than good! Just like other popular, yet potentially harmful, chemical sunscreen filters such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, studies have proven that OMC can stimulate, instead of neutralise, harmful chemicals and free radicals produced by exposure to light. For a fully vegan, organic and natural alternative, Liht Organics’ makeup contains no traces of OMC at all for your greater peace of mind!

Which of these 12 toxic ingredients to avoid in your makeup listed above were you most shocked by? Share them below! Ease the shock today and make the switch to Liht Organics’ cruelty free, vegan, organic and natural makeup products! Explore the entire range online here!