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Saturday, July 21, 2012

Safe Cosmetics- What's in your makeup?



Teens for Safe Cosmetics compiled this list after doing a survey of 500 teens. From their survey, they determined what cosmetics teens are using the most and what the most common dangerous chemicals in them are. Check around your house and see if any of your favorite cosmetics contain chemicals on this list. 


  • 1) Butyl Acetate: prevents nail polish from chipping

  • 2) Butylate Hydroxytoluene: prevents colors from fading and changing too quickly

  • 3) Coal Tar: dissolves dead skin cells and controls itching in shampoo and hair dye

  • 4) Cocamide/Lauramide DEA: causes foaming in shampoo and bath products

  • 5) Formaldehyde: disinfectant and preservative in deodorant, nail polish, soap, shampoo, shaving cream

  • 6) Diazolidinyl Urea: helps the disinfectants (like formaldehyde) work

  • 7) Ethyl Acetate: liquid in nail polish, mascara, tooth whitening, perfume

  • 8) Parabens: group of chemicals that are preservatives and don't allow bacteria to grow in your cosmetics

  • 9) Petrolateum (Petroleum): makes lipsticks shine, creams smooth, and softens skin

  • 10) Treithanolamine: keeps lotions, shaving cream, soaps, shampoos and bath powders from clumping

  • 11) Triclosan: prevents bacteria on your hands from growing in your cosmetics, like on bars of soaps or deodorant

  • 12) Toluene: liquid part of nail polish and hair dye that makes it stick to your hair and nails and look glossy

  • 13) Talc: absorbs moisture and prevents powders like eye shadow, blush, deodorant from clumping in the containers

  • 14) Sodium Laureth Sulfate: helps the cosmetics stick to your skin

  • 15) Propylene glycol: keeps products from melting when it is too hot or freezing when it is too cold

  • 16) Phthalates: keeps color and scents dissolved in the nail polish, perfume, hair spray and others
Safe cosmetics do not contain these chemicals (and many others). Check the label on the back of your cosmetics containers to see if your product is safe!