It was only a few days ago that a study was released that showed toxic chemicals such as PFAS in a majority of USA-based makeup brands. The study stated that these chemicals have been linked with serious and life-changing health conditions as well.
The chemicals that are said to be used in lipsticks and mascara are the same chemical that can also be found in non-stick frying pans, furniture, adhesives, and more.
WHAT ARE PFAS?
Before we continue, I believe it is important to understand what PFAS are.
Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances or PFAS, are synthetic chemicals. These man-made chemicals are basically made out of fluorine and alkyl. The use started in the 1940s, where initially they were used in household products such as polishes, waxes, and cleaning products.
They were also used in the factories where they were used for chrome plating, oil recovery, and the production of electronics.
However, now large amounts of it are found in makeup that is said to be waterproof and long-lasting.
RESEARCH BY THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAM
This research just came to light and should the results of chemical testing on more than 200 commonly used makeup brands.
The highest number of PFAS chemicals were found in waterproof mascaras with the statistic of 82%. The reason this chemical is used in waterproof mascaras is that it forms a coating on the eyelashes that gives it the waterproof effect. The same effect can be seen on Teflon/non-stick pans.
It wasn’t just found in mascaras but also in the foundation, eye products, and lipsticks. There were at least 13 different types of PFAS found in the 600 cosmetic products that were tested and researched.
The study shows that some of the health concerns have already been proven. The chemical has been linked to causing cancer, low immunity, thyroid diseases, liver damage, hormonal imbalances, and low birth weight in pregnancies.
It also stated that most of the products were not approved by the Food And Drug Administration and were missing the ingredients on their packaging. They were deliberately left out to avoid suspicion.
WHAT’S BEING DONE ABOUT IT?
When the study was released, a few senators proposed a bill to eliminate the use of PFAS in cosmetics. The “No PFAS in Cosmetics Act” bill is all set to check and filter through any cosmetic with PFAS.
“Americans should be able to trust that the products they are applying to their hair or skin are safe. To help protect people from further exposure to PFAS, our bill would require the FDA to ban the addition of PFAS to cosmetics products,” said Senator Collins while giving a statement.
The bill is also meant to put a certain standard on PFAS found in drinking water. It will also clean up any contaminated site with high amounts of PFAS available, especially near military sites. You can read more about the bill Here.
CDC’S TAKE ON THE ISSUE
The CDC has stated that they have been researching the amount of PFAS in the blood of many Americans after they tested the harmful effects of it on animals. According to them, the extensive exposure is deadly and needs to be contained as soon as possible.
HOW CAN YOU TACKLE THE ISSUE?
Implementation of bills and laws can take a long time; hence it is important to take precautionary measures as well. Many women use makeup on a daily basis, before going to work or leaving the house. And since it is something that gets applied to your face, it is better to invest in the right kind of products rather than settle on drugstore makeup.
There are plenty of beauty brands out there that focus on green and clean makeup and skincare. One of these brands is Godefroy Beauty.
WHY CHOOSE GODEFROY BEAUTY?
For starters, the brand is FDA compliant which means that you can avoid some harmful chemical that might be found in other brands. It is also cruelty-free and many of our products are 100% plant-based.
Plant-based makeup is not only good for the skin with all the natural ingredients but also good for the environment. It is less harmful to the animals that we rely on for the longevity of the ecosystems.
The brand is completely free of all types of PFAS but provides the same great products. They are more focused on capsule tint technology than temporary makeup.
For example, instead of filling in your brows every day, using an eyebrow pencil, you can use the tinting technology that they provide. The tint can last up to 28 days before it needs another application. You can get the ideal eyebrows without the harmful chemicals.
Similarly, they have eyelash tints as well. The gel-formula tint is applied to your eyelashes and lasts for almost 4 weeks. The eyelash tint itself is free from hydrogen peroxide or PFAS and it eliminates the need for mascara entirely.
With the tint applied to your eyelashes, all you have to do is curl them up to get the ideal waterproof mascara look.
Relying on a brand like Godefroy is not only great for the environment but for you as well! You stay clean from all the harmful chemicals, you get to ensure your health, and look your best, without much of an effort.
Another great benefit of this brand is that their products help grow, thicken, and enhance your eyebrows and eyelashes. This helps limit the need for any makeup at all!
The brand is also extremely economical which makes it a great replacement to all the brands that were using the harmful PFAS in their products.
Switch to plant-based, cruelty-free, and FDA-compliant brands now so you can remain healthy and happy!
REFERENCES
Anon., n.d. EPA. [Online]
Available at: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas
DALY, M., 2021. abcNews. [Online]
Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/study-half-us-cosmetics-toxic-chemicals-78298811
HIRSH, S., 2021. Green Matters. [Online]
Available at: https://www.greenmatters.com/p/pfas-free-makeup
MARTIN, M., 2021. Eat This, Not That. [Online]
Available at: https://www.eatthis.com/news-cosmetics-toxic-chemicals/
Temming, M., 2021. Science News. [Online]
Available at: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cosmetics-makeup-pfas-chemicals