Living in Eugene, you’ll notice the eco-friendly lifestyle that many advocate for. By recycling on campus, all those great bike paths around town and the great support of local produce or goods, the Eugene population makes it pretty easy to get in on the “green” train. But there could be something that you consume everyday that most people don’t think of as part of their clean lifestyle…your make-up! First things first, you want to get rid of your chemically suffocating, polluting cosmetics, but now what?! After walking down the cosmetic aisle and seeing “All Natural,” “Mineral Based,” “Organic,” it seems like you need an environmental science degree just to make it through. But don’t stress, here is an explanation of all the above, plus why you should know and care.
No-Label Cosmetics
I’m pointing this out first because this is the most common make-up you’ll probably see. If there’s no label or certification, look at the ingredient list to see what it’s made of. Most likely there will be a long list of things you can’t pronounce. These can range from synthetic and chemical preservatives and colors, harsh chemicals, parabens, fragrances and mineral oils. Since legally, a cosmetic is defined as anything that changes the appearance or enhances features, these companies can put pretty much whatever they want in them. Kinda scary, right?! You should also look to see if there is a statement saying they do not test on animals, if there isn’t one then definitely steer clear. Since there are preservatives in these cosmetics, they might technically last longer, but they also can harvest lots of bacteria which can cause breakouts, irritations or even infections in some cases. I won’t say “don’t ever use this kind of make-up,” but for everyday use, you’re better off going with one of the types listed below.
Mineral
These cosmetics have made a statement in the beauty industry. These are made from inorganic pigments that naturally exist in the environment and very finely ground minerals. A big bonus in using this type of make-up is that since it’s all minerals, it cannot collect or sustain bacteria. It’s better for your skin, much cleaner, and lasts longer. One big mistake is seeing “mineral oil” on a product and thinking that it’s a mineral cosmetic. As confusing as it sounds, mineral oil should never be in a mineral make-up because of its properties. In fact, try to avoid mineral oil as much as possible because it suffocates the skin and can have really negative effects. Of course, not all mineral make-up is created equal. Paying a bit more for one that is more pure and refined is definitely worth it in the long run.
Natural
Natural make-up can be a bit more confusing to decipher. If it says “Natural” on the label, this doesn’t always mean what you think it does. “Natural” make-up is supposed to be made from pure and undiluted plant derivatives. They are also not supposed to contain any additives at all (mercury, alcohol, DEA, nitrosamines, alcohol, isopropyl and polyethylene glycol, and preservatives). Again, since the legal definition of a cosmetic and its labeling obligations are still the same as they were in the 1938, companies can get around labeling things as “Natural” even if they only contain a couple natural ingredients. You might have to do a bit of research on certain products if you can’t tell, but usually looking at the ingredient list will be a good indication of how “natural” this make-up really is.
Organic
This certification is the strictest. The company must qualify from all ingredients and production standpoints in order to become “organic.” Make sure if it says it’s “organic” that it is certified from the USDA or another established organic certification. Although we tend to use “natural” and “organic” interchangeably, organic make-up is made from organic sources, plants, vitamins, minerals and essential oils. Some of these ingredients can be found in both but there are many elements that are not allowed in organic cosmetics that natural make-up can contain (talc, petro chemicals, preservatives or genetically modified ingredients). They also have to be 100% cruelty free and not tested on animals, which is a huge perk to choosing this type of cosmetics. Yes, these usually are more expensive and often harder to find but as our society becomes more eco-conscious why not do your part and make a switch to organic make-up! Saving the world while looking fabulous…You’ll be making everyone else “green” with envy!
Photos:
demeterclarc.com
mineral-makeup-reviews.com
bachmanssparrow.com
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Sarah Felix is a senior at the University of Oregon, graduating in June. She is a double major in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Communications. She also has received her Oregon Esthetician’s License and currently in the process of obtaining her Oregon Medical Esthetician’s License. She loves fashion, beauty and anything that makes her laugh. She’s a permanent Duck fan that “Lives GREEN and yells O!”