GoodGuide Makeup Ratings

Check the ingredient list for most makeup, from blush to lip plumper, and you’ll find “fragrance”, a trade-secret blend of chemical ingredients that often conceals strong toxins like phthalates and is often associated with allergies and immune system toxicity. You’ll also sometimes find the immune and organ system toxin, wildlife toxin, and possible carcinogen BHA, a masking agent found in lipstick, lip gloss, eye shadows and eyeliners. (BHA is banned for cosmetics use in the European Union due to health concerns.) Foundations, concealers, mascara and other eye makeup often contain micronized titanium dioxide, a colorant, sunscreen agent, and possible carcinogen that opens up your skin to allow other chemicals to get in better and, because of its small size, is an inhalation risk. (more)

The ingredient list for most makeups is long, and you may not want many of those chemicals having enhanced absorption ability, particularly when those ingredients include things like DMDM hydantoin (a form of formaldehyde that’s a skin irritant and immune system toxin), aluminum starch octenylsuccinate (an anti-caking agent and thickener that could be contaminated with heavy metals like lead or arsenic), and triethanolamine (a pH adjuster that's an immune system toxin and possible skin irritant).

Lipstick and moisturizers also sometimes contain triclosan, an anti-bacterial chemical that accumulates in wildlife and could lead to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. Another ingredient to watch out for in moisturizers is oxybenzone, a sunscreen agent that’s banned for cosmetics use in Japan because of concerns about possible carcinogenic properties and because of the way it enhances skin absorption.

Reading makeup ingredient lists takes a lot of work, and it’s not easy to find makeups without any of these chemicals. But they are out there, and you can browse for them in GoodGuide, using both our ingredient listings and our makeup ratings. Products with high health and environmental ratings include few or none of the chemicals of concern, while PETA or Leaping Bunny certified makeups are not tested on animals.