Women's bodies may absorb five pounds of makeup chemicals per year

Posted Jul 19th 2007 at 11:05AM by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts)

OK, I'll admit it. When men say: "I think you look better without makeup," what they're actually saying is that they prefer how you look without a lot of makeup as, chances are, they've never see you completely free of cosmetics. That said, it seems like you some of you ladies might be going a little overboard.

A recent report found that women who use make-up everyday absorb almost 5 pounds of chemicals into their bodies every year. These are chemicals that have been linked to everything from skin irritation to cancer.

The report also found that many women use more than 20 different beauty products a day, which combines a number of different chemicals that haven't been tested together -- meaning their long-term effects on the body are largely unknown.

While I doubt this will lead to any drastic reduction in the amount of makeup women use, one way to cut down the number of chemicals you're putting into your body is to try organic skin care and beauty products, like those sold by companies in the Natural & Organic Cosmetics Directory.

Source

Tags: cosmetics, make-up, organic products, OrganicProducts, skin care, SkinCare

Beanie 7-19-2007 @ 12:33PM

This story was recently debunked on Beauty Brains blog: http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/06/22/are-your-cosmetics-poisoning-you/

Spavelous 7-24-2007 @ 2:27PM

It is not necessarily the makeup, it is the choice of the makeup and the ingredients in it. Woman should read the ingredients in everything they place on their face, skin hair and body. There are natural alternatives. One make up line that puts out a quality product is Jane Iredale. There are more. http://www.spavelous.com

SheezASwt1 7-24-2007 @ 2:34PM

Let's see... Soap in the shower...body lotion.. deodorant..moisturizer..make-up base.. eyeshadow.. mascara.. blush..lip gloss.. hair gel.. a touch of hairspray... and fragrance..

I'm doomed... but I sure look good ......

Vegasgirl 7-24-2007 @ 2:49PM

All I have to say is I'd better be wearing all this stuff when I'm in my casket.

A. Lempkowski 7-24-2007 @ 3:04PM

Absorbing 5lbs of chemicals a year? Amazing! The cosmetics I actually use weigh in at fractions of an ounce when full, excepting the foundation, which might weigh 2 ounces. Yet my body is able to absorb 5 lbs! This should be in Ripley's believe it or not!

annie 7-24-2007 @ 3:25PM

my experience is that a man who says .. "i like you without makeup" means it. i don't wear makeup except lipgloss except on special occasions... which for me is like twice a year if that. and all the men who've seen me without it seem to like me just fine.

x0mwaa 7-24-2007 @ 3:27PM

umm i qouldnt put it in ripleys believe it or not... only amazing things like me go in that book. like how pretty im witout makeup...

Adele 7-24-2007 @ 3:29PM

Hmmm let's see... women (and men) wore tons of makeup for centuries... I don't think they died of "makeup consumption".

However some tips for lighter more natural makeup especially if you want to look younger and stay that way. Instead of the powder, liquid or cream foundations: use a tinted moisturizer, a light blush powder or cream, light eyemakeup (not heavy black pencils and things that pull at your eye skin), a lipstick that matches your lipcolor, some mascara and be on your way. This doesn't allow the heavier makeups to settle into the wrinkles or accentuate your wrinkles but gives you a nice glow (Sally Hansen makes a great one as does Revlon), it's light, it lasts all day and night and all you need to do is touch up your lipstick. Use a lipstick that moisturizes your lips thus not accentuating or prompting wrinkles around the mouth or lips. Be careful around your eye area: use your middle or ring finger to apply gently a liquid cover up and always move inward toward the nose so as to not disturb those very delicate tissues where wrinkles are usually most noticable. I switched from heavier makeup to this and light pinks and light colors on the eyes and I'm 45 and look 30 with no shots, no special creams and no heavy makeup. Also: for women and girls: start moisturizing early and moisturize your face AND your neck! It will keep the age away and these tips will give you a much younger and youthful look and lighter feel.

So skip the dark eyes and loading on the makeup (not because some 'study' says you'll get all these supposed poisons in your body which is hard to believe) but because you'll look younger and feel younger.

Oh and exfoliate your skin (not just on your body) but on your face gently with a good facial exfoliating cleanser. This will help your skin stay fresh and smooth for any makeup applications!

Trust me it works! I've seen the direct results in person and in photos and from the comments from people who cast me in 30 year old and younger roles withou the aid of botox or other popular 'anti-aging' remedies that require someone messing with your facial structure.

Try it for a younger, more youthful look and feel!

Lauren 7-24-2007 @ 3:34PM

The key thing here is to stick to one brand from start to finish. I work in the cosmetic industry, and I wish it were true of ONLY my line. But the truth is, if you use one quality brand for skin care and makeup through and through, you will achieve optimum results. Your skin will look and feel fantastic AND those products HAVE been tested and formulated to WORK TOGETHER. Using a conglomerate of different brands is indeed chemical warfare on your skin. Any questions, feel free to email me at LaurenSK@marykay.com. Thanks!

v 7-24-2007 @ 3:34PM

Wow, I never thought about mixing products means mixing chemicals. Don't they have decnt make-up that's all natural?

Mindy 7-24-2007 @ 3:38PM

Eye makeup sucks.

BediasGirl 7-24-2007 @ 3:43PM

So, THIS is where that 5 pounds is coming from every year!

jyl 7-24-2007 @ 3:44PM

I't alright for some to go without makeup, but I am totally blond and have no color in my eyelashes or eyebrows, so I scare people without makeup. But on the otherhand, with makeup I can get all the dates I want. And I don't go overboard. Just a little foundation, blush, mascara, eyebrow color and lip gloss, and I am so pale I do not look over make, just natural. So, no makeup does not work for everyone, just those fortunate few that can get away without it. Nothing works for everyonel

Joanne 7-24-2007 @ 3:48PM

I do find that this sounds a bit bizarre. I've always been one to use the same product until they come up with a new one and quit making mine any more. Like CG Fresh Look and now it's TruBlend which is a lot heavier. I got a different brand. I use very little makeup so I guess I'm doing all right without all the chemicals in me. I use some natural ones too.

In the night 7-24-2007 @ 3:56PM

And what report did this come from?

I trust Beanies link more:

http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/06/22/are-your-cosmetics-poisoning-you/

Bunny 7-24-2007 @ 3:56PM

Good thing I don't like wearing make up and only wear it when I absolutley have to! (going out and everyone is dressed up, etc) I think most women look better than they think they do without it anyway. I know people tell me all the time that I don't "need" it anyway and they wish they could get away with not wearing it. Funny thing is they probably can. What's even funnier is that women wear make up to look good to men... and most men don't even like the way make up looks or feels. Ironic.

Susan 7-24-2007 @ 4:30PM

Just because something calls itself "all natural" doesn't mean it is the best choice. If something is completely all natural, it will need to be refrigerated to keep from spoiling. The FDA is extremely strict which is good. I have been with BeautiControl for over 14 years and know we only use ingredients that have been tested and retested for safety and effectiveness. We are proud to offer high quality products that have a very high percentage of botanics, but also take advantage of the knowledge that science has given us. All our products are made to work in conjunction with each other safely and we guarantee all our products. See what you think about our in-home Spa Escapes: http://www.beautipage.com/susansmith, http://www.youtube.com/spaescape
Contact me if you have specific skin care problems you need help with!

renee 7-24-2007 @ 4:51PM

Good day, like everything else in life it should be a healthy balance
and less sometimes is more
I would agree the more natural the ingredients the better for you
and not to mix to many brands and products at the same time.

have fun
http://models-fashion-advice.com

ggoutdoors 7-24-2007 @ 4:54PM

What is next? Everything we do, eat, and use causes some sort of a problem. On the other hand we are told constantly by TV and the Internet that we can make ourselves look better and look younger. I am sick of all of it. It seems to me that no one is allowed to age anymore. I have heard of young girls graduating from college who are getting breast augmentation as a graduation gift from their parents! Whatever happened to loving yourself the way God made you? I for one will continue to use make-up if I want to, and I refuse to cover my gray hair and pretend I am not 52 years old and a grandmother of six wonderful, beautiful grandhildren. Give me a break! Now I am also hearing that drinking diet pop causes increased heart problems. Next week they will tell us that diet pop actually prevents heart disease!

Marline Campbell 7-24-2007 @ 4:58PM

Well give me five more pounds,beside haven't nobody notice that the writer of this article is a Man. what does he knows? maybe he is just worry about the bill, however I agree is depends on the quality of the products , I have been using Merle Norman for years and I look good and feel good. We should of have a makeover more often. I love tinted moisterizer and my Merle Norman one has a Spf 15 and it the BOMB!!!!!

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