Yep, in case you didn’t know, there is very little regulation of the ingredients you can put into cosmetics. The situation in Australia is that the ” TGA only assesses cosmetic products that make therapeutic claims”. This means make up companies can do pretty much as they please and its not until the consumers complain that change occurs. The situation in the US is similar “Right now, cosmetics companies can put just about anything in their products – even chemicals associated with cancer and endocrine disruption”.
Revlon and L’Oreal are both sticking to using old formulations for their make up that contain dangerous ingredients.
Click here to sign. You have until October 11 2013.
The petition that I am directing to you highlights why I have been advocating the use of safer and more natural cosmetics on this website. Dancers use more make up than the average consumer and are therefore at greater risk to exposure to dangerous ingredients. Belly dancers especially tend to use loads of eye make up and foundation. It is imperative that we tell the manufacturers that it is not ok to put carcinogenic substances in our make up.
I was experimenting with different looks this day and had a whole heap of make up out that I don’t often wear – including Revlon eye shadow!! Argghh!
I have used both L’Oreal and Revlon in the past. As regular readers know, I have been working hard to find safe alternatives to old favourites – I still use a bit of Revlon eye shadow every now and then for example although I certainly will be phasing that out after reading this list of Revlon and L’Oreal ingredients ……
DMDM Hydantoin – strong evidence that it is an irritant to humans
Butylparaben -Human endocrine disruptor – strong evidence
Isopropylparaben – Human skin toxicant or allergen & endocrine disruptor- strong evidence
Isobutylparaben – Human skin toxicant or allergen & endocrine disruptor- strong evidence
Propylparaben – Human skin toxicant or allergen & endocrine disruptor- strong evidence
Other companies are more ethical and are updating their products or are already committed to predominantly natural ingredients. Don’t forget to check out my reviews of cosmetic and skin care products! Here are a few you may like to read
Lavera natural cosmetic lipstick review
Best stage eye shadow yet! Natural make up review.
Belly dancers beware – just because a make up artist or other dancer uses a product, it doesn’t mean it is safe. We all have busy lives and can’t possibly research every purchase. Many people are unaware of the poor regulation of the industry and assume that everything on the shelf is safe – sigh… if only that were true.
In issue 48 of Bellydance Oasis (my favourite magazine btw, I highly recommend it) it unfortunately has a dancer recommending the use of Revlon powder blush. Most versions of Revlon’s powder blush contain one or more of the toxic 5 above – yuk! The dancer then goes on to say she uses L’Oreal colour riche lip stick. I wasn’t able to find details on the specific shade she mentions but I checked other browns in the colour riche line and they have some of the most toxic ingredients I have seen in any product I have ever reviewed or researched. Ingredients that get the highest toxicity rating of 10 (for being carcinogenic). WOW!! Over the course of the average womans life she consumes large quantities of lip stick – often kilos of the stuff. It really does matter what you are applying to your skin and lips. You don’t need to poison yourself for the sake of beauty.
Please sign the petition so that eventually all products on the shelves are safe to use and we can pick freely without another thing to worry about.
Jade Belly Dance 