The UGLY Truth About Makeup

AJ+

22 Jan 201603:06

Summary

TLDRThis video delves into the safety of makeup and personal care products, revealing that the average American woman is exposed to over 126 chemicals daily through her beauty routine. Many of these chemicals are toxic, linked to cancer, infertility, and hormonal disruptions. The cosmetics industry is largely unregulated, with the FDA unable to mandate safety proof before market release. The video contrasts the EU's ban on over 1300 harmful chemicals in cosmetics with the US's mere 11, and advises viewers to seek products with fewer ingredients, avoiding 'fragrance' and other listed harmful chemicals. It also points out that high price does not equate to safety, and encourages consumers to use databases like Skin Deep, Pink Dirty, and Good Guide to make informed choices.

Takeaways

💄 The average American woman uses twelve products daily, exposing herself to about 126 unique chemicals.
🚫 Many of these chemicals are considered toxic and linked to serious health issues like cancer and infertility.
🇺🇸 The FDA does not regulate cosmetics, cannot require safety proof before market, and cannot recall dangerous products.
🌍 Over 10,000 chemicals are used in cosmetics, including industrial chemicals used for non-cosmetic purposes.
🇪🇺 The European Union has banned over 1300 dangerous chemicals from cosmetics, while the US has banned only eleven.
💸 Expensive makeup brands are not necessarily safer; price does not equate to safety.
🔍 Look for products with fewer ingredients and avoid those containing 'fragrance', which can hide many unsafe chemicals.
⚠️ Specific harmful ingredients to watch out for include heavy metals, formaldehyde, parabens, and asbestos.
💡 Resources like Skin Deep, Pink Dirty, and Good Guide can help consumers find health ratings for cosmetic products.
🛡️ Without more regulation, choosing safe cosmetics may remain a challenge, relying on consumer vigilance and guesswork.

Q & A

How many unique chemicals does the average American woman expose herself to daily through makeup products?
-The average American woman exposes herself to about 126 unique chemicals daily through makeup products.
What health issues have some of the chemicals in makeup products been linked to?
-Some chemicals in makeup products have been linked to cancer, infertility, birth defects, and hormonal disruptions.
What is the role of the FDA in regulating the safety of cosmetics in the US?
-The FDA cannot require cosmetics companies to prove a product is safe before it goes to market, nor can it recall a product once it's found to be dangerous for consumers; it's up to the company to do so.
How does the European Union's regulation of cosmetics compare to that of the US?
-The European Union has banned more than 1300 dangerous chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products, whereas the US has only banned eleven.
Is there a correlation between the price of a makeup product and its safety?
-No, there is no necessary correlation between the price of a makeup product and its safety. Expensive products are not inherently safer than cheaper ones.
What advice is given for consumers to avoid harmful chemicals in makeup products?
-Consumers should look for labels with fewer ingredients and stay away from products containing the word 'fragrance', which can hide dozens of unsafe toxic chemicals.
Which harmful chemicals are mentioned in the script that can be found in specific makeup products?
-Foundation can contain heavy metals like arsenic and titanium, eyeshadow can contain formaldehyde and mineral oils, eyeliner can contain heavy metals like lead and arsenic, blush can contain parabens and talc, mascara can contain formaldehyde and dyes like carbon black, and lipstick can contain lead and preservatives like DHA.
What are some databases where consumers can search for the health ratings of cosmetics products?
-Consumers can search for the health ratings of products on databases like Skin Deep, Pink Dirty, and Good Guide.com.
Are harmful chemicals only found in makeup products, or can they also be present in other personal care products?
-Harmful chemicals can be found not only in makeup products but also in other body products like lotions and shampoos.
What is the main challenge consumers face when trying to choose safe and healthy cosmetics products according to the script?
-The main challenge is that choosing safe and healthy cosmetics products may continue to be a guessing game unless there is more regulation of the cosmetics industry.

Outlines

00:00

💄 The Hidden Dangers of Makeup

This paragraph discusses the safety concerns of makeup and personal care products. The speaker, a woman who frequently wears makeup, investigates the chemicals in these products and discovers that the average American woman is exposed to about 126 unique chemicals daily through the use of cosmetics. Many of these chemicals are toxic and have been linked to serious health issues such as cancer, infertility, and birth defects. The cosmetics industry is largely unregulated, with the FDA unable to require safety proof before products hit the market or to recall dangerous products. The European Union has banned over 1300 chemicals from cosmetics, while the US has only banned eleven. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness and the need for more regulation in the industry.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Makeup

Makeup refers to a range of cosmetics used to enhance or alter the appearance of the face. In the context of the video, makeup is central to the discussion on the safety of beauty products, as it is a common daily use item that can expose users to various chemicals. The video mentions that many women apply makeup, potentially exposing themselves to harmful chemicals without being aware of the risks involved.

💡Toxic Chemicals

Toxic chemicals are substances that can cause harm to living organisms, including humans. The video emphasizes the presence of such chemicals in makeup and personal care products, which can lead to serious health issues like cancer, infertility, and hormonal disruptions. The script points out that the average American woman is exposed to about 126 unique chemicals through her daily use of beauty products.

💡FDA Regulation

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is a government agency responsible for regulating food and cosmetics in the United States. The video discusses the lack of regulation by the FDA over the cosmetics industry, noting that it cannot require companies to prove their products' safety before they hit the market nor recall dangerous products, which leaves the responsibility to the companies themselves.

💡European Union

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of member states that have enacted stricter regulations on cosmetics. The video contrasts the EU's ban on over 1300 dangerous chemicals in cosmetics with the US's ban on only eleven, highlighting the disparity in safety standards between the regions.

💡Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are dense metallic elements that can be toxic or harmful even at low concentrations. The video script warns about the presence of heavy metals like arsenic and titanium in makeup products, which can cause cancer when inhaled, illustrating the potential health risks associated with common beauty products.

💡Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a chemical known for its preservative properties but is also a known carcinogen. The video mentions that formaldehyde can be found in eyeshadow and mascara, linking its presence to potential cancer risks, thus emphasizing the need for consumer awareness about the ingredients in makeup products.

💡Parabens

Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics. The video discusses parabens as hormone disruptors found in blush products, which can have adverse effects on the endocrine system, reinforcing the message that seemingly harmless makeup items may contain harmful substances.

💡Talc

Talc is a mineral used in various cosmetic products for its softness and ability to absorb moisture. However, the video script cautions that talc can sometimes contain asbestos, a known carcinogen, which raises concerns about the safety of products containing talc.

💡Lead

Lead is a heavy metal that is toxic and can cause a range of health problems. The video reveals that up to 3/4 of lipsticks tested by the FDA contained lead, indicating that even products intended for direct application to the lips can contain harmful substances.

💡DHA

DHA, or dihydroxyacetone, is a compound used in some cosmetics as a self-tanning ingredient. The video associates DHA with potential cancer and reproductive harm, demonstrating that not all ingredients used for cosmetic effects are safe for consumer use.

💡Consumer Awareness

Consumer awareness refers to the knowledge and understanding that consumers have about the products they use. The video encourages consumer awareness by suggesting that individuals research and choose products with fewer ingredients and avoid those with potentially harmful substances like 'fragrance', which can mask a host of unsafe chemicals.

Highlights

The average American woman uses twelve products daily, exposing herself to about 126 unique chemicals.

Many cosmetics contain chemicals linked to cancer, infertility, and birth defects.

The FDA does not regulate cosmetics, cannot require safety proof before market, and cannot recall dangerous products.

Over 10,000 industrial chemicals are used in cosmetics and personal care products.

The European Union has banned over 1300 dangerous chemicals from cosmetics, while the US has only banned eleven.

Expensive cosmetics are not necessarily safer than drugstore options.

Labels with fewer ingredients and avoidance of 'fragrance' are recommended for safer products.

Foundations may contain heavy metals like arsenic and titanium, which can cause cancer when inhaled.

Eyeshadows can contain formaldehyde and mineral oils derived from crude oil.

Eyeliner may contain heavy metals like lead and arsenic linked to cancer and reproductive harm.

Blush can contain hormone-disrupting parabens and talc, which may contain asbestos.

Mascara can contain formaldehyde and dyes like carbon black, which are linked to cancer.

Up to 3/4 of lipsticks tested by the FDA contained lead, and many contain preservatives linked to cancer and reproductive harm.

Harmful chemicals are not only in makeup but also in body products like lotions and shampoos.

Consumers can search for health ratings of products on databases like Skin Deep, Pink Dirty, and Good Guide.

Demanding more regulation of the cosmetics industry is crucial for ensuring product safety.