CONCEALER
Concealer is one of those products that most of us just can't live without. It’s an everyday essential in most women’s lives. It’s superpower is to brighten & lift, contour, hide blemishes, remove dark circles, & give us a boost of confidence. Due to everyday, frequent wear, especially around our delicate eye area... it is so, so important that we opt for a concealer that is clean, safe, & full of nourishing ingredients.
Conventional concealers contain a laundry list of ingredients that are harmful to our health. Ingredients like octinoxate, parabens, talc, mineral oil, and silicone, most of which are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, should be avoided at all costs. The body is such a complex system that is all interconnected, so what you put on top of your skin not only gets absorbed into the bloodstream, but has an indirect effect on things such as our brain health, the brightness of our eyes, the hydration level of our complexion, our mood, our fertility, and much more.
WHAT INGREDIENTS TO AVOID:
A shocking fact that we love to share is that there are more than 1,300 chemicals banned for use in the cosmetics industry in Europe. In the United States, only 11 are banned. This highlights that the cosmetic industry is oozing with ingredients that are harmful to our health. Here’s a list of common toxic chemicals & ingredients lurking in conventional concealers that you’ll want to keep an eye out for.
PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl): You will also want to watch out for the human produced chemicals that are found in both beauty products, from concealers to body lotions, and common household items, such as nonstick pans. This is a huge red flag. The purpose of these chemicals is to ensure the glossy, smooth spreadability of products, as well as the durability and lifespan. Not only is this far from natural, but it’s been linked to certain cancers, causes of disruption in our immune system, reproductive organs, and our nervous system. .
PEGs (Polyethylene glycols): How do they make your cosmetics thick, soft, & rich?… petroleum based compounds called PEGs. These chemicals actually enhance absorption of toxic chemicals into our bodies, making it easier for harmful ingredients to penetrate into the layers of the skin. Sounds frightening? Because it is. These are often contaminated with both 1,4-Dioxane and Ethylene Oxide. Long term exposure to Ethylene Oxide can cause extreme irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs… even damage to the brain and nervous system.
Phthalates: A common ingredient used as both a binding agent & to make plastics flexible. These are banned in the EU, yet still prevalent in many concealers, foundations & other cosmetics here in the US. Linked to this harmful toxic chemical are issues such as endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity & cancer. When shopping for your next complexion perfector, check labels for these ingredients: phthalate, DEP, DBP, DEHP, & fragrance.
Parabens: Parabens are some of the worst offenders found in conventional makeup products today. Be extra careful when looking out for them, as they can be disguised in a variety of ways. The most important thing to look out for is any ingredient ending with “paraben”. This can look like Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, etc. Parabens are harsh preservatives that you never want to use. Parabens mimic estrogen which leads to endocrine and hormone disruption. They are also known to be carcinogenic, often found in breast cancer tumors. Since Parabens can cause hormone imbalance, using products with these ingredients can lead to an increase in breakouts as well.
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene): A synthetic preservative that is used in a variety of beauty products to mask unpleasant odors and maintain shelf-life. While BHT is known to cause skin irritations and redness, it also comes with larger risks, such as the promotion of tumors in the body and endocrine disruption and damage.
Base line-- stop putting toxic, harmful chemicals on your face. Instead, swap out your outdated conventional concealers for something that’s nourishing, clean, safe, & gorgeous. We always want to remind you that even though this list of chemicals can be scary and overwhelming, that being aware of the potential dangers around us actually empowers us. It gives us the tools & insight to make better, more conscious, & high vibrational decisions about what we put on & in our bodies. Our intention is never to induce unnecessary fear, but to bring about an awakening in the space of clean beauty… why Citrine was born! It is our intention & mission to curate a selection of fabulous, safe products that you can trust & enjoy!
OUR FAVORITE CLEAN CONCEALERS OF THE MOMENT:
RMS
“UN" COVER UP
FITGLOW CONCEALER +
KOSAS
REVEALER CONCEALER
JANE IREDALE
ACTIVE LIGHT UNDER-EYE CONCEALER
