Scrolling through the Trump scandals and Kylie Jenner baby watch updates, you’ve probably read some headlines about how the ingredients in your makeup are potentially harming you and your skin. This is alarming, to say the least, because even if your routine is less ‘Kardashian contour’ and more ‘I’m a busy mum doing the school drop off with two minutes to myself in the morning’, there’s no denying a lick of mascara and some well-placed concealer can do wonders for your mood. But you don’t want that makeup to be doing you damage. And the truth is, it could be.
So go and grab your makeup bag and have a look at the ingredients list. If you spot any of the following five ingredients, that’s a sign you need to chuck it in the bin.
Ingredient #1: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Why should you avoid it? SLS is linked to skin irritation and disruption of skin’s natural oil balance and may contribute to acne breakouts around the mouth and chin.
Ingredient #2: Parabens
Why should you avoid it? Parabens can mimic oestrogen and have been shown to disrupt hormones, in addition to being linked to skin and breast cancers.
Ingredient #3: Phthalates
Why should you avoid it? Two decades of research on phthalates have shown hormonal disruption and potential harm to the unborn baby during pregnancy. Also inked to infertility and reduced levels of sex hormones.
Ingredient #4: Lead
Why should you avoid it? Neurotoxin linked to hormonal disruption, miscarriage and fertility problems.
Ingredient #5: Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroytoulene (BHT)
Why should you avoid it? These preservatives have been shown to impair blood clotting and promote tumour growth: they are banned in many countries.
PS. If you want to know what products I use, or what ingredients you should be looking for, head here.
