The Internal Health Risks of Makeup Use

Medha Modekurti
Jul 18, 2024
4 min read

From using ashes to darken eyelids to the various options of eyeshadow today, makeup has always been a vital part of human culture. However, as beauty products evolved, so did the ingredients that went into them. This article will delve into the good and the bad of common makeup products.

The History of Makeup

Makeup dates all the way back to 6000 BCE, with the Egyptians. They believed that wearing makeup would appeal to the gods. It was also a sign of social status and wealth. Most Egyptians wore kohl, made from a grey ore called galena, to darken their eyes and protect them from the sun's glare and potential infections. Cleopatra, one of the most famous historical figures, was known for her striking makeup looks, which included the use of green malachite and black kohl.

By 4000 BCE, ancient Greek and Romans started to use makeup for a “natural” look. They mixed plants or fruits with dyes made from lead and mercury. They used charcoal, to highlight their eyes and eyebrows. The lead-based makeup, though popular aesthetics, often led to serious health issues, including lead poisoning.

From 3000-600 CE, makeup became more common for Chinese royalty. They used light color foundations on their face and dark red powders on their cheeks. Most cosmetics were made from animal fats, boiling plants and spices. The use of rice powder to whiten the face became a symbol of aristocracy and beauty in China.

Chinese Makeup Standards from 3000-600CE

In 1500 CE, women began applying vinegar and white lead to whiten their face and colored their lips and cheeks with egg whites and mercury. Due to the toxic elements used in their makeup, the life expectancy was brought down to around 29 years during this period.

From the 1900s, the makeup industry started to flourish, with makeup being sold commercially worldwide. Various beauty trends started to emerge such as red lipstick in the 1950s, popularized by icons like Marilyn Monroe, and thin eyebrows in the 1990s, seen on celebrities like Kate Moss. Currently, makeup is being promoted for people of every race and people can make makeup whatever they want it to be, including making it a career. Influencers and makeup artists on platforms like Instagram and YouTube have turned makeup into a booming industry.

How Chemicals Enter the Body

Over 56% of foundations, 48% of lip products, and 47% of mascaras all contain PFAs, also known as forever chemicals. These substances do not break down easily and accumulate in the body over time, posing long-term health risks. Most makeup products also contain various chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, PPDs, formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, and more. The most common type of phthalate is dibutyl phthalate. Types of PPDs in makeup include m-phenylenediamine and o-phenylenediamine

These chemicals enter the body in various methods. The makeup applied to the skin absorbs all the chemicals in the products. When powder makeup is inhaled, contaminants such asbestos are inhaled and brought to airway and lungs. With lipsticks and lipglosses, constant licking or biting lips brings the chemicals to the digestive system.

The Consequences

Some chemicals in makeup products, even when used in small amounts, can lead to disruptions of the hormone system. Other chemicals have been found to be linked to cancer, developmental disorders, and reproductive and neurological harm.

Below are some chemical-specific health consequences:

Parabens: Over 90% of all makeup products contain parabens. Parabens act as various hormones and disrupt the normal functions of the hormone system. Some parabens act as the hormone estrogen and cause reproductive health issues such as infertility, reproductive development, and birth outcomes of children. Parabens also alter breast cell genes, increasing the chances of breast cancer in women. The usage of products with parabens also leads to skin irritation and rashes.

Phthalates: Around 72% of makeup products contain phthalates. Phthalates are believed to disrupt the endocrine system. Specifically, they can cause reproductive and genital defects, lower sperm count, and birth defects. In women, a higher chance of miscarriage and gestational diabetes has been associated with phthalate use. In infants and children, phthalates have been linked to allergies, premature puberty, eczema, asthma, and ADHD. In men, phthalates were linked to higher rates of infertility, and adverse effects to thyroid, kidney and liver.

Formaldehyde: About 20% of makeup products contain formaldehydes. Formaldehyde exposure can lead to irritation of the sin, throat, lungs and eyes. It is also a widely known carcinogen, meaning that it can cause cancer. Studies have found links between formaldehyde and growth of tumor cells, as well as a link to leukemia as well.

What Can You Do?

Avoiding the chemicals listed above is the best way to mitigate the risks. It’s best to avoid arsenic, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), heavy metals, like lead, chromium, nickel, and cadmium, hydroquinone, parfum or fragrance, petrolatum and triclosan.

Switching to safer, nontoxic alternatives in makeup can reduce the chances of health consequences. There are nontoxic alternatives for several makeup products including mascaras, foundations, concealers, eye products, lip products, and bronzers. The easiest way to do this is to buy products that have a shorter ingredient list or have an organic certification on the products. To mitigate the consequences even more, it’s recommended to create cosmetic products like body scrubs and face masks from natural ingredients at home.

Another way is to do research on products before buying. Several makeup products have buzzwords such as “vegan”, “cruelty free”, or “locally sourced”. These labels can be misleading, as products still may be unregulated. Products can be more trusted if they have certification seals with those words on them.

Conclusion

Although there are several health consequences associated with wearing makeup, most consequences occur with prolonged use. Minimizing makeup use, especially when non necessary can prevent the risks from occurring. There is more to makeup than what meets the eye, thus doing research and understanding what is going into your body can help to ensure that your makeup isn’t harmful. Additionally, embracing natural beauty and reducing reliance on potentially harmful products can contribute to overall health and well-being.