Photo by Alysa Bajenaru on Unsplash
In a previous post, I revealed some not-so beautiful facts about the beauty industry. And since the issues go much deeper than what I had written in that post, I’d like to reveal some more dirty little secrets about the beauty industry. Because, let’s face it, this quite literally affects ALL of us, particularly here in the USA.
And if you think that you aren’t affected because you don’t use beauty products or makeup, I have some bad news to share. The beauty industry is all-encompassing, meaning it doesn’t just include cosmetics.
The Beauty Industry includes basically every item that we use to maintain our hygiene. So from soap and body wash, to shampoo, deodorant, etc, and from babies to the elderly. This truly affects us all.
And since this affects literally every person who showers or baths, I am determined to grow the awareness of just how important these issues are. It’s easy not to believe a lot of it, but just because we don’t want to believe it does not mean it’s not reality.
So to inform, and hopefully help, as many people as possible, please check out these 3 dirty little secrets below…….and please, please help to share the information, whether by discussing, or by sharing this post with your family and friends, because the more people who know, the more likely it is that we can enact some real change.
Dirty Little Secret #1 – The Majority of Companies Continue to Use Harmful Ingredients in Their Products
As I talked about in my Not-So Beautiful Facts post, the last time Congress passed a major federal law to regulate the cosmetic and personal care was in 1938. And a LOT has changed since then. Not only have we gone from a radio era to a television and computer era, but there have also been over 85,000 chemicals introduced into commerce since then.
As a result, companies have every right to legally use thousands of chemicals when formulating their products which have neither been tested for effects on human health, nor the environment. And they absolutely do take advantage of this.
Most beauty and personal care companies are using ingredients which are known to be linked to cancer, endocrine/hormone-disruption (there’s a reason why kids are going through puberty earlier and earlier), infertility, and many others.
Now, I’m not saying that companies are intentionally poisoning us, but that is effectively what they are doing since they are not held to much standard when it comes to testing, nor do they ensure to test rigorously. And I’m not blowing this out of proportion or being overly dramatic about this.
Several of our country’s leading institutions have called out this issue themselves including The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC), the University of California – San Francisco, Mount Sinai, and others. Even the FDA is aware of these issues, yet is powerless to stop it since no thorough regulations exist.
If you want information about what harmful ingredients you should start avoiding immediately (and why), be sure to pick up my list of top 10 toxins to avoid by clicking the button below now!
Dirty Little Secret #2 – Heavy Metals Exist in Color Cosmetics, Some Even by Brands Which Claim to Offer Safe Beauty Products
This is one that may surprise most of you, particularly since it’s never talked about nor frequently heard of! But this is an all-too common issue. Why?
Natural and synthetic ingredients are commonly used to make up the pigment in our makeup/colored cosmetics. And, not surprisingly, most people think that if it’s labeled “natural” or “organic” pigment or colorant then it must be safe…..because….well….it’s natural!
But formaldehyde is natural, lead is natural, and cadmium is natural. And all are highly toxic as well.
Often both lead and cadmium contaminate color cosmetics, including those “natural” brands, and formaldehyde is used as an actual ingredient in many mascaras!
It’s very scary to think that these natural ingredients are contaminating so much of the makeup that is out there. So what can you do to be sure you are using something that is safe?
Ask the companies themselves! Contact your cosmetics company and ask if and when they are testing their products.
If they aren’t testing every batch that they release, then it’s time to find a new cosmetics company! It may seem extreme, but contamination happens a lot more frequently than you’d think……….and do you really want to take that risk?
Dirty Little Secret #3 – Companies Are Allowed To Selectively Label Their Ingredients
Cosmetic companies aren’t required to list out every single ingredient they use………well, technically they are, but the law is not widely obeyed. And even if they do list out everything, they are not required to disclose what is listed under the ingredient “fragrance” due to trademark law.
As for listing out every single ingredient, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act which was passed in the 1970s requires skin care companies to list all ingredients, aside from the “fragrance” ingredient loophole. But in reality, many companies selectively list their ingredients.
Unfortunately, not only is this law widely ignored, but the FDA also doesn’t do much to enforce it, nor do I believe that it can, given the lax regulations within the industry.
And as for the “fragrance” loophole, this one “ingredient” alone can mask many known allergens and hormone disrupting chemicals like phthalates. Even the fragrance industry’s trade association has stated that there are over 3,000 chemicals that could make up any one “fragrance” ingredient and as such, they do not need to be disclosed to us as consumers.
So what do you think about these dirty little secrets? Are you surprised? Not at all? Somewhat? Are you more eager to find safe beauty products now knowing these secrets?
Are you curious what ingredients to avoid (at least to start!)? If so then download my FREE guide of Top 10 Toxins to Eliminate now by clicking on the button below!
I hope that you have found some value in learning about 3 dirty little secrets about the beauty industry and will feel more confident in taking your first (or next) steps to achieving true wellness.
If you have found value, please share by clicking on the icons below this article so that I can help your friends and loved ones as well!
Until next time……..
Here’s to achieving true wellness!
P.S – What do you want to know about? Drop me a comment below and let me know what you’d like to learn more about to help you achieve true wellness!
*Legal Disclaimer – All information provided above is for educational purposes only. Information should not be construed as medical or legal advice in any capacity and is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure disease.