I read this great article the other day about the potentially dangerous ingredients that may be lurking in your beauty products!  As you know, deciphering the back of a beauty bottle can be like trying to understand a foreign language that you can't speak!  There are unpronounceable terms and ingredients that are a complete mystery!   But not knowing what you are putting on your skin and hair has risks. 

While you can't expect to avoid all the bad stuff completely, you can get good at scanning labels with some red-flag terms!  Here are 8 common questionable ingredients:

1.  Parabens: Chemical perservative used in up to 90% of cosmetics.  They keep products from going bad to quickly.  You should avoid parabens because studies suggest parabens may act like estrogen in the bod, and estrogen exposure has been linked to breast cancer and hormone disruptions.

2.  Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate (DLS): A chemical salt that lowers water's surface tension, which let products spread out and penetrate more easily; boosts foaming action.  You should avoid this because it can product harmful byproducts sch as ethylene oxide, a chemical linked to cancer.

3.  Triethanolamine (TEA): A chemical derived from ammonia and acts as a cleansing agent and prevents products from separating.  You should avoid it because it is sometimes contaminated with carinogens and can irritate skin and mucous membranes.

4.  Propylene Glycol: A thick clear alcohol and helps skin soak up moisture, enhances skin's absorption of other ingredients in the product.  You should avoid it because it helps other substances sink into skin, it becomes detrimental if the product contains irritants or toxins. 

5.  Phenoxyethanol:  An oily liquid perservative made from coal tar.  It prevents scents from rapidly evaporating and can be used as a fragrance.  Japan restricts its use and it may also cause skin and eye irritation.

6.  Imidazolidinyl Urea: The most commonly used perservative after parabens.  It extends a products shelf life.  It is a top cause of contact dermatitis, and can stress your immune system.  Plus, when used with water, it can release formaldehyde, a toxic chemical.

7.  PEGs:  Polyethylene glycol or polyethylene, which are both chemicals derived from petroleum.  It helps prevent products from seprating; also used as gelling and thickening agents.  PEGs can cause hives and eczema and have been linked to kidney toxicity.

8.  Petrolatum: Petroleum Jelly helps skin retain moisture, softens skin, and gives products a shiny, smooth texture.  It forms a film on your skin to prevent moisture from escaping.  This causes toxins to get trapped under the skin and keeps it from breathing properly.  It can clog pores.

                                            Here are 7 GOOD FOR YOU INGREDIENTS! These are scary sounding too but they actually benefit skin and hair.

1.  Ascorbic Acid:  This is Vitamin C, it keeps products from spoiling.  It also stimulates the production of collagen which slows as you age and minimizes fine lines.

2.  Butyrospermum Parkii:  This is shea butter.  Provides moisture and can heal blemishes and reduce inflammation.

3.  Cera Alba: Beeswax! Helps make products more uniform in texture.  It also allows skin to seal in moisture naturally and has antibacterial properties.

4.  Hyaluronic Acid:  A sugar compound that occurs naturally in skin cells.  It boosts firmness, combats aging and wrinkles, and promotes radiant, healthy skin.

5.  Panthenol:  This is Vitamin B5. It offers deep penetrating moisture to heal skin and hair.  It may help repair skin tissue and fight certain types of dermatitis.

6.  Retinol:  This is Vitamin A.  Wonderful for long term hydratin, improves texture and aids in evening our mottled pigmentation.

7.  Tocopherol:  This is Vitamin E.  It slows the aging process by fighting free radicals and protects skin from sun damage.  It can also help smooth out skin overall.


I hope this guide will help you when reading labels.  Its a start to choosing healthier products.   Our Mineral Makeup line, Southern Magnolia Minerals, contain only 100% natural ingredients found in nature!  There are no harmful chemicals, additives, perfumes, alcohol, talc, bismuth, sulfates in our products.  It is 100% healthy skincare makeup!  I encourage you to visit us on eBay or at our other online location to read testimonials, blog info, photo galleries, color charts and so much more information that will help you make an informed decision about mineral makeup.

                                                                 Visit our eBay Store, Southern Magnolia Minerals...Live, Laugh, Love. Naturally!