Here at Naturally Fabulous, we believe that you deserve cosmetics as naturally fabulous as you are, and so we are committed to using only ingredients which we deem to be safe, effective and healthy for you.
Unfortunately, not every cosmetics company operates under these same guidelines. Despite the many claims of products that are “All-Natural”, “Healthy”, “Organic” etc., the cosmetics industry is shockingly unregulated and so very little stands in the way of cosmetic companies making false, misleading or erroneous claims.
Many popular companies are using a shocking amount of harmful ingredients in their formulations, either to act as so-called performance-boosters, preservatives, or merely just to add cheap filler to increase their profit margins.
Surprisingly, this goes not just for the mainstream cosmetics companies, but also for a large number of mineral companies, who boast their healthy image despite the unnecessary inclusion of these types of ingredients.
Following is a partial list of some of the more common ingredients that you should look out for in your cosmetic products. We believe that you deserve to be informed in order to make the best decisions for your healthy lifestyle. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and if you have specific lifestyle or allergy concerns we encourage you to do your own research in addition to these recommendations.
Some Ingredients to Avoid:
Bismuth Oxychloride: This ingredient offers luminosity and sheen, maximum coverage and adds a smooth texture to minerals. It is a known skin irritant, and people with a sensitivity may suffer breakouts, itching or skin irritations.
Magnesium Stearate: This ingredient provides average coverage, texture, and high adhesion properties to minerals. Magnesium is a naturally occurring metal and stearic acid is derived from vegetable oil. People with allergies or a sensitivity to metals or oils (such as soybean) report rashes and skin irritations.
Talc: Provides excellent coverage and oil-absorption properties. Talc not only can clog pores but may be a cancer-causing agent.
Silk Powder: Silk offers moisturizing properties, entraps oil, and offers relief for skin burns. It is not a mineral and may clog pores, causing skin irritations or breakouts.
Rice Powder: Offers oil absorption properties. As a food-derivative, may cause bacterial growth and cause skin irritations.
Manganese Violet: Adds color to mineral cosmetics. It is a metal: people with allergies or a sensitivity to metals or oils report rashes and skin irritations.
Cornstarch (Zea Mays): Offers oil absorption properties. As a food-derivative, may cause bacterial growth and cause skin irritations.
Carmine: Provides red pigmentation to mineral cosmetics. Although natural, this is an animal by-product – made from boiled and ground beetle carcasses.
Chromium: Adds color to mineral cosmetics. It is artificial and a known skin irritant.
FD & C Dyes: Synthetic colorants believed to be cancer-causing agents.
Triethoxycaprylysilane Fragrance: Synthetic fragrance that may cause allergic reactions and skin irritations.
Pearl Powder: Derived from pearl shells, adds luster and luminosity to mineral makeup. Known to clog pores and cause skin irritations.
Phenoxyethanol: Used as a preservative in cosmetic products and also as a stabilizer in perfumes and soaps. Exposure to phenoxyethanol has been linked to reactions ranging from eczema to severe, life-threatening allergic reactions.
Ethylhexyl palmitate: A chemical replacement for Silica or Silicone Microspheres.
Carbon Black: A dark black powder used as a pigment in cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara and lipstick that has been linked to increased incidence of cancer.
Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben: Synthetics used to extend the shelf-life of mineral makeup. They are rumored to be toxic. May cause allergic reaction and skin rashes.