We women wear makeup for a lot of different reasons. We wear it to call attention to ourselves. We wear it to attract mates. We wear it because the Mad Men of Madison Avenue tell us to. $35 billion – that’s the size of the cosmetics industry. 33 percent – the number of personal care products containing at least one ingredient linked to cancer. And one of the ingredients in common makeup we all use can really kill you – 77 percent of cosmetics you wash off contain paraben; 99 percent (yes, almost 100%) of sunscreens contain paraben which has been linked to the development of breast cancer.
Luckily for naturally beautiful women like us who care about what we put in our bodies and on our bodies, an organization exists that is devoted to certifying green cosmetic companies – Certified Green Cosmetics Organization – http://www.certifiedgreencosmetics.org/.
You can also check into a list of conscious cosmetics companies published by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics – http://safecosmetics.org/display.php?modin=50
There are some companies who care more about our natural health and our natural beauty and produce products that won’t hurt us or the environment – Avalon Organics, Dr. Bronner’s, Burt’s Bees, Dr. Hauschka Skin Care, Aveda and Tom’s of Maine
Now that you’ve bought your new conscious cosmetics, it’s time to throw out the old (conscious or not!). Old makeup becomes coated with bacteria and germs. When you continue to apply these old cosmetics to your skin, there is a good possibility of developing a nasty fungus or major infection.
Eye makeup that you apply by dipping into it and putting in on the sensitive eye area should be replaced every three months. Creams that are liquid-y and kept in tightly covered containers are the worst culprits as they might contain oil that becomes rancid and yucky bacteria – replace them often!
The FDA doesn’t require makeup to have expiration dates! But they do publish a list of how long you should keep your makeup before tossing?
Three months: Eye makeup, especially liquids and creams
Six months: Skin care products (stored in a jar), liquid foundation (jar), sunscreen
Twelve months: Skin care products (stored in a pump), liquid foundation (pump), concealer, cream blush
Eighteen months: Powders, pencils and lipstick or gloss
Sources: Food and Drug Administration
For some advice on how to use makeup to keep you looking naturally beautiful, see previous posts about Anti-Aging Advice – http://naturallybeautifulwomen.com/anti-aging/a-is-for-anti-aging-advice-dos-and-donts-to-look-younger/
And for all you naturally beautiful men out there, we know that some of you wear makeup too – keep it healthy! KISS – http://naturallybeautifulwomen.com/celebrity-natural-beauty/k-is-for-kiss-without-makeup-you-decide/
