With more and more celebrities going organic and natural with their skin care and beauty products, the world is slowly waking up to the chemical-free message. Whilst it should not need Hollywood stars such as Cameron Diaz, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow to spread the word the fact is that these beauty and style icons truly have their finger on the pulse about what is best for your skin and health.

Most people are totally unaware of the number of toxic chemicals that are present in everyday products they use daily. Many people believe that the cosmetics industry is well regulated and that it is impossible to purchase products over the counter that would be harmful to them or their children. This is simply not the case. Sit back on your microfiber couch, have a stiff drink ready and read about the terrifying world of chemical cosmetic additives.

Not Regulated

The cosmetics industry is barely regulated at all. It is not even effectively self-regulated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have very little jurisdiction over what is put into your make up and moisturizers. More than 500 products sold in the U.S. contain ingredients banned in cosmetics in Japan, Canada or the European Union. These facts are shocking, and it puts the onus on you as a consumer, to find out which products are safe to use and which are not. But it’s complicated, as the following list shows. You can either learn about the chemicals around you that are harmful, or play it safe and easy by always opting for chemical-free, 100% natural products.

Some Nasties To Look Out For

BHA – this is short for ‘butylated hydroxyanisole’, which is strongly implicated as being a likely carcinogen. In other words, it can cause cancer. The European Union has banned its use in fragrances, yet it can still be found in personal care products in the US.

Coal Tar – found in soaps and hair products. Look out for Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine in the ingredients list. Coal processing is known to produce carcinogenic compounds. Why would you put it in your hair or on your body?

DMDM hydantoin & bronopol (2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol) – these are compounds that release formaldehyde, another human carcinogen. Astonishingly, about one fifth of US cosmetics contain these chemicals. Formaldehyde is still used in some hair straightening products.

Parabens (Propyl, Isopropyl, Butyl, and Isobutylparabens) – Parabens are estrogen-mimicking preservatives, which disrupt the body’s natural hormone balance. Yet they are found in any number of beauty products in the US. Parabens have been linked to breast cancer tumours.

Triclosan & Triclocarban – found in soaps is highly toxic to sea life. It also affects the thyroid function in humans, and can unbalance reproductive hormones.

Fragrances – We all love our products to smell beautiful, but do you have any idea what chemicals are used to make that lovely scent? No-one does, except the manufacturer, since they are not required by law to disclose the constituent ingredients of fragrances on the ingredients list. Fragrance chemicals are thought to contain hormone disrupting compounds. Doesn’t smell so good when you consider that.

Petroleum Distillates – another oil industry by-product, which is found in mascara. A common cause of allergic reactions they have been frequently found to contain carcinogenic impurities. Uggh.

Chemical Free, Risk Free?

Looking at the above list of horrors, you might agree that it is just not practical to eradicate risk from your cosmetics bag, other than to simply go 100% natural and fragrance-free. You would be right, except that the homework doesn’t end there. Confusingly, some natural cosmetics still use ingredients that are thought to be harmful. Any ‘natural’ product – particularly mineral make-up – that contains Bismuth, Cornstarch, Talc, Lakes and Carmines, waxes and any other form of preservative is not 100% safe.

Always look for the shortest list of ingredients possible from your cosmetics. Safe ingredients include the following: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron and Zinc Oxide, Serecite, which are all pure, natural minerals; Kaolin Clay, which is a naturally gentle clay which is added to cosmetics and is perfect for all skin types; and Ultramarine Blue which is a beautiful natural pigment.

Do your Homework!

It’s a pity that you can’t trust cosmetic companies to do your homework for you, but as a consumer it is now quite possible to be informed about what you are putting on your face and hair. If big name cosmetic companies won’t tell you what the risks are, why not look for smaller manufacturers who are committed to excellence and transparency. Looking good shouldn’t cost you your health.

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