How Cosmetologists Can Avoid Toxins in Makeup

$129 billion: That’s how much revenue the cosmetics industry is projected to generate by the year 2028. The world of makeup is big, profitable, and growing.

Despite their popularity, there’s a surprising word many people are beginning to associate with cosmetics: unsafe.

“Most of us assume beauty and personal care products are tested for safety before they are sold. Reality could not be farther from the truth,” advocacy group Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) argues on their website. “Companies can and do legally sell cosmetics with chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm, and a shocking number of dangerous chemicals hide in personal care products and cosmetics under the word ‘fragrance’ on product labels.”

Toxins in makeup are a growing concern for clients and for you, their makeup artists. Consumers fear “poisonous makeup” or toxic makeup ingredients. They may express interest in makeup free from chemicals or ask you questions about what makeup is safe to use. You, too, may have questions, like:

• What are harmful ingredients in makeup?
• What harm can toxic makeup do?
• How do you know if makeup is toxic?
• How can I avoid toxic makeup ingredients?
• What is the most non-toxic makeup brand?
• Can I face a makeup lawsuit for using cosmetics with toxins?

We answer these questions so you can keep your clients and cosmetology business safe from toxins in makeup.

What are toxins in makeup?

Toxins in makeup are chemicals known to have a harmful effect on your health. These bad ingredients in makeup could cause temporary rashes, plus discomfort and inconvenience. (Read more on preventing a makeup allergy on the face.) A dangerous chemical in makeup could have even more lasting consequences, including lifelong health issues, explains dermatologist Simon Zokaie in this Healthline article.

According to the CSC, these are some ingredients to stay away from in makeup:

• Benzophenone and its derivatives, often found in lip balm.
• Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), usually in lipsticks and balms.
• Carbon black, which pigments eye makeup and lipstick.
• Carcinogenic makeup, like ones that contain formaldehyde and its preservatives, are less common but sometimes present in blushes and powdered shadows.
• Ethanolamines and its compounds, which can be in all kinds of cosmetics.
• Lead and other heavy metals, often found in lipsticks and eyeliner.
• Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), which can be in mascara or makeup remover.
• Mica, which is commonly used in foundation.
• Nanomaterials in foundation.
• Nitrosamines, like diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA).
• Poorly-refined petrolatum or petroleum jelly, often in lip cosmetics.
• Phthalates in color cosmetics.
• Polyacrylamide, also in color cosmetics.
• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, a.k.a. Teflon) in foundation, powder, bronzer, eye shadow, and mascara.
• Preservatives.
• Silica, usually in eye makeup.
• Talc, commonly found in eyeshadow, foundation, and lipstick.
• Titanium dioxide, often found in pressed or loose powders.

We know, that’s quite a laundry list of toxins in makeup. But what is the most harmful chemical in makeup? Can we pinpoint the worst makeup ingredients? When advocating against the toxicity of makeup, the CSC narrows the previous list down to seven worst offenders:

• Titanium dioxide.
• Carbon black.
• PTFE.
• Talc.
• BHA.
• Silica.
• Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (carcinogenic makeup).

What harm can toxic makeup do?

Now that you can name the top toxins in makeup, it’s time to talk about the potential dangers of makeup.

Millions of Americans apply makeup daily. And as a professional cosmetologist or beauty advisor, your job is to use cosmetics to enhance clients’ appearances–often for big days, like weddings and graduations. Bad ingredients in makeup come with side effects, which really should give you pause.

Here are three examples of what harm toxic makeup can do:

1. Toxins in makeup can lose your clients’ trust. A survey of 1,000 Americans by the Mesothelioma Center reveals 45 percent of participants are concerned about the potential dangers of unregulated cosmetics. If your clients are worried and you aren’t doing anything to address their concerns, they may choose to get their makeup done by someone else.
2. Harmful ingredients in makeup can cause allergic reactions, like swelling, itching, and redness. While usually temporary, they can still make your clients uncomfortable and upset.
3. Bad ingredients in makeup can cause burns and infections, says the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
   The worst makeup ingredients can have devastating, lifelong consequences like cancer, hormonal changes, and fertility issues. While these are often the result of long-term, regular use, contributing could harm your clients.

While not every use of toxins in makeup will have an immediate negative result, it’s important to avoid toxins as much as possible. The jury’s still out on their long-term effects. But choosing your makeup products carefully means peace of mind and protection for you and your clients. As the adage goes, better safe than sorry.

How can I avoid toxic makeup ingredients?

Ready for some pro tips to avoid toxins? Here’s how you can avoid toxic makeup ingredients with five steps.

1. Read the labels.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a toxic makeup list or a list of toxic makeup brands to avoid? While a cosmetologist can dream of a clear-cut rundown of unsafe makeup brands, creating one is impossible. New makeup brands, products, and formulas come out daily. No one can keep up with that!

So how do you know if makeup is toxic?

The only way to know if makeup is toxic is to check its ingredients. So get ready to read some labels! By using the CSC’s list of red-flagged chemicals we shared earlier, you can identify what makeup to avoid, which makeup brands have toxic chemicals, and which cosmetics to utilize.

Bookmark this article or save the list to your phone. It will be easier to pull up as you sift through your makeup bag and shop for new products.

2. Be skeptical of buzzwords.

“Natural!”

“Organic!”

“Clean!”

These words sound nice. But did you know they aren’t regulated?

We don’t have a set list of criteria for determining a “natural” product from any other—nor for determining if “natural” means “safe.” (We could slap the word “Natural!” on a bottle of lead and we wouldn’t be lying.) Just because the marketing pros made the product sound nice, doesn’t mean it is. Stick to that ingredient list to make your determination.

3. Keep it simple.

Dermatologist Simon Zokaie told Healthline if the ingredient list is lengthy, skip it. By choosing products with simpler ingredient lists and fewer synthetic chemicals, you decrease the chances of having toxins in makeup.

4. Use apps to identify toxins in makeup.

Another way to avoid these ingredients in your makeup products is with apps! The CSC recommends Clearya, Think Dirty, and Skin Deep. All three allow you to type in or even scan products, pull up ingredients, and pinpoint the harmful ones.

5. Stick with brands you trust.

Once you find makeup without toxic chemicals, stick with it! See if that company makes other toxin-free products, too.

What is the most non-toxic makeup brand?

Since ingredients vary across products, it’s hard to identify brands of makeup free from chemicals. It’s best to judge each individual product.

However, there are some beauty brands that claim commitment to clean makeup. Christina Lyon of Healthline recommends 100% Pure, True Botanicals, and Nourish Organic. If you have any favorites, let us know by sharing them with us on TikTok or Instagram.

Can I face a makeup lawsuit for toxins in makeup I use?

Clients and consumers want to believe there are people with more expertise than them calling the shots. When we’re talking about toxins in makeup, those perceived experts are you, their makeup artists, advisors, consultants, and cosmetologists.

As a professional, you carry a certain amount of risk. If a client has a reaction to toxins in makeup you apply, they could file a claim against you. This is true even if your hair and makeup artist service agreement discloses that you can’t catch every toxin, and even though you aren’t the manufacturer.

And if you make, rebottle, or re-label a product yourself and it causes an adverse reaction? Your liability will increase and you will likely lose product liability coverage. Many programs (like ours) do not cover claims involving products you’ve repackaged or manufactured.

When you avoid toxic makeup ingredients and opt for makeup free from chemicals, you protect your clients, your business, and yourself. Plus, by adding insurance on top of that, you get defense and payout help in case a claim comes up.

Don’t wait for a big makeup recall or an upset client. Learn about our makeup artist coverage today.