SETTING POWDER
If you dig into your makeup bag right now, chances are you will find some sort of setting powder in your bag. Aafter all, no one wants to look oily, and powder is a great way to mattify the skin. However, do you know what toxins might be hiding in your favorite finishing powders?
Today’s Toss the Toxins will cover all things Finishing/Setting powders, including what ingredients to avoid and safer swaps that have cleared our toxins test.
TOXINS HIDING IN CONVENTIONAL SETTING POWDERS:
Talc: This is a tricky ingredient because there are safe ways to use this ingredient, however, most conventional powders do not use a safe form of it. Talc is a known magnesium silicate that is used as an absorbent and skin protecting agent in cosmetics. Because many forms of Talc can be from dirty, contaminated sources, Talc, depending on its origin, can be considered carcinogenic. Not only do you run the risk of developing possible Ovarian Cancer when using contaminated forms of Talc, you may also experience respiratory and skin irritations. When using a product that does contain Talc you want to be sure that it is a non-nano sized powder from a clean source and you also want to ensure you are never inhaling large amounts as the biggest risk comes from inhalation.
Formaldehyde: We’ve all heard of formaldehyde to preserve deceased bodies and frogs in science class, but did you know that it is also used in a wide range of our favorite cosmetics to preserve their shelf life? Eeeek! According to the federal Food and Drug Administration, almost 1 in 5 beauty products contains a substance that generates formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen. What’s even worse is, detecting formaldehyde in products is almost impossible unless you know the keywords to look out for!
Parabens: Parabens are some of the worst offenders found in conventional makeup products today, but be careful when looking out for them as they can be disguised in a variety of ways. The most important thing to look out for here is any ingredient ending with “paraben”. This can look like Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, etc. Parabens are harsh preservatives that come with so many risks, you never want to use any product that contains them. Parabens mimic estrogen which leads to endocrine and hormone disruption and they are also known to be carcinogenic, found in breast cancer tumors frequently. Because Parabens can cause a hormone imbalance, this can lead to increased breakouts as well.
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene): This synthetic preservative 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 like possible endocrine disruption and tumor promotion.
Because the above is just way too risky for our personal preference, we reach for these non-toxic alternatives instead! These ultra fine, light reflective setting powders are the best way to finish your makeup, as it is a virtually invisible powder that not only absorbs excess oil, but minimizes the appearance of pores and softens the skin.
TRY THESE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES:
To Use: To minimize shine, apply your powder lightly with a powder puff or brush of your choice, concentrating on the T-zone area. Press and roll the powder to ensure you don't smudge any of your base layer. Voilà! You're ready to take on the day, flawlessly.
