The information on parabens is similar to what we know about phthalates -- which isn't much, unfortunately. "Parabens are preservatives that are used universally and have been used in foods for over 40 years," says Graf. "They are used in minimal amounts in skin care and cosmetics with minimal risk. At this time, the benefits of including parabens in skin care far outweigh the risks of not using parabens. Namely, bacterial, mold, and fungal contamination, which can be harmful to the skin."
Companies are working on paraben-free preservative systems, but it may be a while before they discover something that works just as well. In the meantime, if you're going to use natural products, be sure to check the expiration date, and toss it six months after opening it.
Here's the scary truth: There are many ingredients in cosmetics that may be bad for you. The FDA only regulates certain types of products -- like sunscreens and acne treatments -- and the rest of the time it's up to the manufacturer to decide whether a formulation is safe.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there are more than 1,100 ingredients used in beauty products in the U.S. that are banned in other countries like Japan, Canada, and members of the European Union. In fact, the FDA only prohibits the use of 10 ingredients in cosmetics, and they include scary substances like mercury and chlorofluorocarbon.
But that doesn't mean the other 1,090 ingredients are toxic, as well. "Overall, one big reason why the US may allow certain ingredients for use in beauty products and others countries don't could be because those countries may not have enough information on the ingredients to deem them allowable for use," says cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat.com Ron Robinson. "This does not mean that the ingredient is necessarily dangerous. It just means that the ingredient needs safety documentation clearance before it's allowed for use."
So maybe other countries are being overly cautious, but the FDA is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Studies show that there are ingredients in cosmetics that could be toxic, yet formulators continue to use them just because it's easier -- and there aren't any regulations to stop them.
The following seven ingredients -- which you'll probably find in many of your favorite products -- raise red flags. Some of the ingredients still have many supporters in the dermatology world, while some are almost universally opposed. The good news is there are alternatives to all of them. So if you don't want lead in your lipstick, read on to learn more.
