Even Natural May Not Be Natural - Choosing Healthy, Natural Makeup Products

Victoria Marinucci - Contributing Writer
Posted on Monday 18th May 2009
With the rising demand for green products, many makeup brands are jumping on the natural bandwagon and producing ‘eco-friendly’ makeup. Even if a product is eco-certified many companies find ways to wiggle around natural product standards. Basically, many natural products are largely unnatural. As if the quest for healthier makeup wasn’t challenging enough, customers have to be weary of synthetic chemicals in supposedly unprocessed beauty products! Now, what exactly qualifies as ‘natural makeup?’ Essentially, natural makeup is made from pure plant or animal sources and has not been chemically modified from its initial state while having no additives. It seems simple enough, but the guidelines still leave room for potentially harmful chemical use such as alcohol, mercury, and dioxane to name a few. Though unfortunately there is sure to be some synthetic ingredients in any natural formula, there are wholesome, honest, natural alternatives working to eliminate any artificial substance within their beauty products. Two notable brands are Burt’s Bees and Urban Decay, which offer eco-conscious and cruelty-free makeup. For twenty five years, Burt’s Bees has formed a range of affordable, natural skin and beauty items. The company works to create products nourishing for the environment and their customers as their mission statement declares: “We create natural, Earth-friendly personal care products formulated to help you maximize your well-being and that of the world around you.” Burt’s Bees plainly lists each product’s ingredients on labels and highlights certain ingredients’ benefits at its website: (http://www.burtsbees.com/). They also do not practice animal testing, and use minimal animal ingredients! Basically, Burt’s Bees labors to be good to the earth, and just as good for you! Now, if customers are looking for trendy makeup that will make a statement (both visually and environmentally) Urban Decay may just be the brand! Urban Decay is aptly named since it is based on the American urban setting with products titled Oil, Underground, Graffiti and Smog. Yet, though Urban Decay is inspired by beauty in detriment the company strives to be anything but hazardous! Urban Decay works to make makeup considerate of the earth, and your skin. Another important feature of the brand is their products are not tested on animals, and nearly all vegan! On Urban Decay’s website, http://www.urbandecay.com, any item that is vegan has a purple paw symbol, and they offer a printable list of their line’s vegan products for when you go shopping. Besides these companies, there are plenty of other natural options as the demand for green makeup increases. The best way to minimize your risk of buying ‘natural’ products with an abundance of chemicals is to read labels or visit brand websites beforehand. Keep this in mind and you can be more confident that you are making healthy purchases not just for the earth, but also for your body.

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