The Truth About FDA Cosmetic Regulations

Thursday, March 28, 2024

CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT'S IN YOUR MAKE UP? I AM REVEALING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FDA COSMETIC REGULATIONS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT.KEYWORD(S): FDA COSMETIC REGULATIONS

Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and probably the most delicate, which is why most of us drop an entire paycheck on fancy skincare. When you think of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) your mind probably goes straight to the grocery store, but they are also responsible for banning harmful ingredients in makeup and beauty products. While makeup is regulated in the U.S., you might be surprised at some of the ingredients you’re still allowed to put on your body.

YOUR FACIAL PRODUCTS ARE "LIGHTLY REGULATED"

The products you use on your skin are classified as "lightly regulated." For reference, food and drugs are “heavily regulated”, and the FDA still allows some seriously processed chemicals and hydrogenated oils in our foods. Take glyphosate for example. The FDA knows that glyphosate can cause cancer and still allows it on our store shelves. The EU currently has over 1,300 chemicals banned from cosmetics while the US has banned 30. Some of the ingredients that aren’t yet banned in the US are petroleum, parabens, and formaldehyde, to name a few. There's a reason "clean" cosmetics are growing in popularity and importance. The general public is becoming more aware of just how alarmingly UN-clean cosmetics can be.

Did you know in the US, there are no requirements for cosmetic manufacturers to test their products for safety?

CURRENT FDA COSMETIC REGULATIONS

Anyone can pretty much package up and sell whatever cosmetics they want, and if you aren’t reading the ingredients list, or just don’t know what to look for, it can be tough to figure out what’s good for your skin and what should be tossed.

CURRENT INGREDIENTS

While the wave of clean beauty has pushed some of the nastier ingredients off the market, here are some of the ingredients you should look out for and avoid: Carbon black is used in many black makeup products like mascara and eyeliner, and has been tied to causing cancer. Formaldehyde, also a carcinogen, is used in many hair products, nail polishes and even baby shampoo. Ethoxylated ingredients are ingredients that have gone through a chemical process called "ethoxylation." They are used to sterilize medical instruments but can also be found in many hair products. There are also some vague ingredients, like fragrance, phthalates, and dyes. While some can be naturally derived, these ingredients should also be avoided, especially if you have sensitive skin.

BRAND TENDENCIES

As consumers like us become more aware of the unhealthy ingredients plaguing our makeup, there are many clean beauty sites that offer clean beauty products. My favorite sites:

http://www.theorganicbunny.com (Where I first learned about clean beauty!)

http://www.thedetoxmarket.com

https://www.parislaundry.com

https://www.switchnatural.com

MAKEUP BRANDS MAKING AN EFFORT TO BE CLEAN

Merit Beauty is a new brand I discovered and I am loving all their clean products. They offer sample sizes so that you can test the colors. My favorites are their eye liner and lip glosses.

Plume is a brand that offers clean, healthy products and I have been a fan of their eyelash curler and eyebrow pomade for years!

Westman Atelier This luxurious brand offers clean makeup in the perfect shades to match your skin tone. You can even set up a consult with their clean beauty concierge for a color consult. Their Complexion Drops, Foundation Sticks and Contour Sticks have been a staple in my makeup bag.

Zao is a new favorite of mine. It is made in France and is known as the refillable make-up brand, Go check out how gorgeous their eyeshadows are!

Piper Blue Organics is my favorite brand to get an all-in-one compact. I love how portable this compact is. The ingredients are clean and the colors are gorgeous. Use code: BITG10 for a discount.

Some other clean brands that are making an impact are Beautycounter, Crunchi and OGEE.

FDA COSMETIC REGULATIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH

It’s clear that the U.S. has a long way to go in ensuring beauty products do more harm than good, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find safe beauty. It may take some shopping around to find clean beauty brands and products to replace your old faves, but with more and more emphasis on clean beauty taking the industry by storm, it won’t be long before clean beauty standards are simply the bottom line. If you are looking for clean swaps and don’t know where to start, send me a message and I will help guide you to making cleaner swaps.