Are You Sure You’re Using A Natural Foundation?
The world is a scary place. Unfortunately, the beauty industry isn’t an exemption, so you should start using cleaner products, particularly a natural foundation, to begin with.
Foundations, along with several cosmetics, often have toxic chemicals in them. These toxins don’t seem harmful at first, but they tend to be very dangerous for your health.
So, unless you’re a chemist, how can you understand the long list of ingredients on the back of your favorite foundation?
Relax—this is why we’re here. As long as you know which ingredients to look out for, shopping for a natural foundation will be easier than ever.
A Natural Foundation Has No Parabens
You may have seen face washes, shampoos, and makeup labeled as “paraben-free.” However, what does paraben-free really mean?
Parabens are chemicals that prevent mold and bacteria growth to extend a product’s shelf life. With this definition, they don’t seem that bad, right?
Wrong.
According to the FDA, parabens have properties that mimic estrogen and are strongly linked to the development of breast cancer. Products with parabens are absorbed into the skin and with time, prove to be quite harmful.
A Natural Foundation Has No BHA and BHT
Butylated compounds, or BHA and BHT, act as preservatives in makeup products, especially in powder foundations. While they may work to preserve cosmetics, they can also cause serious health problems.
These compounds can disrupt a person’s hormones. Meaning, reproductive and developmental issues may happen after using products containing them.
Also, butylated compounds can be seen as a human carcinogen, according to the US National Toxicology Program.
A Natural Foundation Has No Ethanolamines
Ethanolamines, also known as TEA, DEA, or MEA, are often found in foundations sold here in the US. These chemicals are linked to male reproductive problems and cancer.
This is why the EU has banned its use in makeup products. However, the US hasn’t banned this ingredient yet, so look out for it when buying foundation.
A Natural Foundation Has No Sodium Laureth Sulfate
You’ve probably read this ingredient in cream-based skincare and foundation. It’s added to aid the skin (or hair, if in hair care) to absorb the product quickly.
But, this ingredient also contains the chemicals 4-dioxane and ethylene oxide that can cause cancer. Sodium Laureth Sulfate can lead to skin irritation and acne, too.
A Natural Foundation Has No Retinol
Anti-aging foundations have some form of retinol. While retinol does have anti-aging properties, it can be toxic when exposed to sunlight.
This is why most nighttime beauty products use this stuff a lot. Sadly, several day time products still contain this ingredient, including foundations.
A Natural Foundation Has No Lead and Other Heavy Metals
Most foundations, as well as lipsticks, have traces of lead to enhance their color. But, it’s also known to cause infertility and miscarriages, and neurodevelopmental issues in children.
Foundation and other cosmetics have small amounts of mercury, too. This heavy metal is linked to respiratory, reproductive, and neurological problems.
You can also find aluminum in foundation that can cause cancer and reproductive toxicity.
Natural Foundation: Our Must-Haves
Once you’ve made a switch to natural foundations, here are some of our recommendations to get you started:
Natural Foundation # 1: Juice Beauty Phyto Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation
What’s great about this liquid foundation is it doubles as a nourishing serum. It’s great for those with oily skin, too, thanks to its organic aloe vera, plant oils, and antioxidant content.
It also uses coco-caprylate as an alternative to silicones to provide a perfect, satin finish without suffocating the skin.
Natural Foundation # 2: bareMinerals Matte Loose Powder
This loose powder foundation offers sheer to full coverage and is great at absorbing excess oil. It has natural, mineral-based SPF 15, too, and doesn’t contain bismuth oxychloride, which you can find in most loose mineral foundations.
Natural Foundation # 3: W3LL People Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer SPF 30
If you want natural, sheer coverage with lots of mineral-based sun protection, this product is for you. It’s like having your skincare and makeup in one.
It features botanicals like algae, pomegranate, ginseng, and broccoli seed extract to brighten, hydrate, and improve skin quality while correcting imperfections.
Why You Should Know the Ingredients of Your Foundation
It’s hard to believe how a small amount of foundation can harm your health.
Sure, you’re not ingesting it. However, you’re rubbing it into the skin, which is a large organ that has pores that absorb about anything that touches it.
Checking every ingredient of all makeup products you buy isn’t possible. But, we encourage you to slowly make the switch to safer brands that use safer ingredients.
You can start with this list or do your own research. This way, when you’re out buying, you don’t have to read the long ingredients list and just go straight to the product.