Ditch Your Eye Shadow Make-Up

Day 5! Day 5! We’re coming for youuuuu! Eye shadow can be so much fun. But what’s lurking in yours that might be making your sick. Let’s get back to my detox your life challenge! The fifth item up: Ditch Your Eye Shadow Make-Up.

Detox Your Life: Ditch Your Make-Up Day 5

Eye shadow is one of my favorite types of make-up. It’s so versatile. I love that you can play it up or play it down. I love that you can go for an easy daytime look then add a little more for a dramatic evening look.

But that’s just me personally…

It’s so important to know what ingredients are in your eye shadow, no matter if you use a lot of a little. Eye shadow make-up can irritate eyes so easily. And do a lot of other damage if you aren’t choosing a safe brand.

Let’s learn a little more…

Why You Should Ditch Your Eye Shadow

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

Please note that each brand of eye shadow has different formulations.

Not all of these ingredients are found in every eye shadow.

Additionally, there are other questionable ingredients in eye shadows.

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.

Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is commonly used in cosmetics as a synthetic antimicrobial.
Scientists at the FDA are now finding that this ingredient can suppress your central nervous system.
It may also cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Some people have an allergy phenoxyethanol which causes skin irritations.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene is the most common type of plastic.
In cosmetics, polyethylene is used to control product viscosity and as an abrasive.
It’s a known microplastic which causes water contamination.
Some people may be allergic to this ingredient.

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.

Propylparaben*

Propylparaben is commonly used as a preservative and as a fragrance ingredient.
It’s considered harmful because people can be allergic to it (which can cause skin and respiratory issues).
Science has also found that propylparaben is a possible “endocrine disruptor.”
Endocrine disruptors mess with the bodies hormones and can potentially cause a slew of health effects like birth defects, cancer, and even developmental defects.

Methylparaben*

Methylparaben is also a commonly used preservative and fragrance ingredient.
Like propylparaben, science says that methylparaben alters our cellular composition and can disrupt hormones as well.
Methylparaben can actually mimic estrogen in the body and may play a role in breast cancer as some studies show methylparaben build up in breast tissues of breast tumors.

*All parabens (propylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, etc.) are frequently used in cosmetics and deodorants because they are anti-fungal and anti-microbial. This is great for killing fungus, yeast, and germs, but the health consequences are far too great.

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 and Eye Shadow
Tropic Eyes on You Pressed Shadow
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Eye Shadow
Honest Beauty Eye Shadow
Burt’s Bees Eye Shadow Trio

Extra Challenge

So many things found in nature can be used as eye shadow. Much like blush, you can use hibiscus flower powder.
Another idea is spirulina powder. Blending both hibiscus and spirulina can result in a brown shade, or you could use cocoa powder. Activated charcoal works well for a smokey eye look.

Use a base of 1/2 tsp. arrowroot powder and 1/2 tsp. bentonite clay as an eye shadow base.
Add as much or as little of whatever ingredient listed above to achieve the color you are looking for.
Make sure to mix these ingredients together very well.
You can also add a drop of 2 or 3 of grapeseed oil or jojoba oil, mixing until you get a smooth, creamy texture.

If you use this recipe, please comment with your favorite eye shadow color blends!

**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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