Ditch Your Blush Make-Up

We’ve made it half-way through this challenge! Woohoo! How are you hanging in there? Learning something new? Making swaps? Purchasing better options? I really, really hope so! Not for my sake… but for your sake, your partner’s sake, your kiddos sake. That’s really my goal… to share what I know with all of y’all so you can ultimately live a less-toxic life. So, are you ready to continue detoxing your life? I got you! The fourth item up: Ditch Your Blush Make-Up.

Detox Your Life: Ditch Your Make-Up Day 4

I’m going to be honest…

I really admire women that can blend blush and bronzer, making themselves look like glowing goddesses.

I’m just not that woman.

For me, I think it’s because I have millions of freckles. I’ve never seen a woman with a face full of freckles able to rock a face full of make-up, especially if she doesn’t cover the freckles entirely.

It’s definitely a hard balance. So I just say screw it. And I don’t bother with it.

Maybe I need to watch some tutorials? Who knows…

Anyway…

Why You Should Ditch Your Blush

Here are 5 common ingredients in most major name brand blushes, why they are used, and how they are detrimental to your health.

Please note that each brand of blush has different formulations.

Not all of these ingredients are found in every blush.

Additionally, there are other questionable ingredients in blushes.

In an effort to spare my sanity and not inundate you with TOO much information, I decided to pull out 5 of the most commonly found ingredients and explain those.

Please feel free to do additional research on the other ingredients in your products.

Mineral Oil

Mineral Oil is used as skin protection and as an anti-static agent.
It typically comes from crude oil, which is a non-renewable resource.
Some of the possible health effects are skin irritation and the possibility of it being a carcinogen.

Quaternium-15

(is it just me or do some of these ingredients sound like something of of Star Trek?!)

Most cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners and lotions use this ingredient as an ingredient to leave skin and hair feeling smooth.
It acts as a preservative and a formaldehyde releaser, which can cause dermatitis eczema, and allergic reactions.

Polyoxymethylene Urea

Polyoxymethylene Urea is used as a preservative in a bunch of different cosmetics.
It’s actually a type of formaldehyde releaser, which is considered a carcinogen.
This ingredient may also cause irritation, itchiness, make skin and eyes red and/or sensitive.
It can potentially cause respiratory issues and even cause eczema.

Talc

Talc is a type of magnesium silicate that even at cosmetic grade can be toxic and carcinogenic, especially for the ovaries.
It’s usually used as an abrasive, absorbent, anti-caking, bulking ,and/or skin protecting ingredient in cosmetics.
Scientists have found this ingredient to be extremely dangerous to children when inhaled, but it can be detrimental to everyone that comes in contact with it as it causes respiratory and skin irritations.
Additionally, talc is dangerous because it can be contaminated with asbestos fibers.

Fragrance

If you joined me on my last Ditch It Challenge, you’ll know how much I talked about fragrances (in scented candles, air fresheners, deodorants, skin and hair products, etc.) and how dangerous they are in our homes and on our bodies.
Fragrance is allergenic for most people.
Additionally, it’s an irritant for lungs, skin, and eyes and can cause respiratory distress.
Most often, fragrance is an undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients that manufacturers do not need to disclose.
Fragrances may cause organ system toxicity and even cancer.

What to Use Instead

There are safer alternatives than those major name brands we are all accustomed to.

Check out:

Rejuva Minerals Multi Purpose Pressed Powder & Blush
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Pot Rouge Blush
Tropic Blush
Burt’s Bees Blush Makeup
Coastal Classic Creations Blush

Extra Challenge

I could tell you to go without blush all together, like I did with foundation, concealer, and face powder, but I’ll throw ya a bone!

An all-natural, organic product that can be used as blush is Hibiscus Flower Powder. Purchase my favorite kind here.
You can use it as eye shadow and to color your homemade lip gloss as well.

**The information on the ingredients in this blog post come largely from the Think Dirty App. If you don’t already have the Think Dirty App (where I check the safety of all my products), you really need to.

Please know that the products I recommend at rated at a 0/10 in terms of toxicity. They are as safe as they can ever be. To me, if it’s not a zero, it’s a definite no-go.

If you want to check out my last challenge, you can find the links here.

Ditching:

Plastic Cooking Utensils

Dryer Sheets

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