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Did you know that ingredients contained in some cosmetic products are to avoid in makeup because they have ethical as well as safety concerns?

Therefore, it is highly recommended to familiarize yourself with the products that you apply to your skin, and the risks those products may present.

To help you make informed decisions, let's take a look at ingredients to avoid in makeup.

1. Titanium dioxide: a controversial substance in cosmetics

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an ingredient that is commonly used in makeup products due to its opacifying properties. This white pigment is found not only in cosmetics (to camouflage imperfections), but also in paint, food (as an additive) and pharmaceutical products. Il existe toutefois des préoccupations quant à son innocuité, spécialement dans les produits pouvant être inhalés.

There are, however, concerns about its safety, especially in products that can be inhaled.

TiO2 is classified as a “possible human carcinogen” (group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Very small particles of titanium dioxide in powder form can be a source of respiratory irritations² and eye irritations^{3, 4}.

To minimize risks, and even though further research is required, it is recommended to avoid makeup products that contain titanium dioxide. At ATTITUDE, we choose to use only safe ingredients for our new makeup line, excluding titanium dioxide.

2. Carmine: an insect derivative

This red dye is used in many makeup products, including lipsticks and blushes. However, the source of carmine, often overlooked, is an ingredient to avoid in makeup, especially as it can raise ethical concerns.

Did you know that carmine is extracted from mealybugs, those small insects that feed on cacti? In fact, more than 25,000 live mealybugs or 70,000 dried mealybugs are required to extract 450 grams of carmine⁵.

We prefer using iron oxide’s red pigmentation for ethical reasons, including in its stick blush and lip gloss. It’s a kinder, more caring option… for everyone.

3. Beeswax: to be avoided by vegans

This is another common ingredient to avoid in makeup, especially in lip balms and mascaras. The use of beeswax, however, raises ethical concerns for people who want to avoid using animal-based products.

Sustainable plant-based options exist, like candelilla wax. It’s a respectful 100 % vegan solution for your beauty routine.

4. Perfumes: beware of unknown ingredients

Fragrances are present in many makeup products such as foundations, blushes, and lipsticks. However, most brands do not disclose the exact details of the fragrances they use, making it difficult to know what ingredients are included.

Fragrances can be composed from hundreds of different synthetic products, including some that can be irritating to the skin and result in allergic reactions.

To avoid fragrance-related risks, seek out makeup products that are fragrance-free.

 

Unfortunately, these ingredients to avoid in makeup are still commonly used in some cosmetics and can pose health risks. That's why, we suggest to read carefully makeup product labels and choose brands that prioritize clean and safe ingredients.

For further support, find out how the EWG VERIFIED™ safety seal can help you make even better health-related decisions.

Adopt the right ATTITUDE

At ATTITUDE, we understand the importance of taking care of your body. It’s why our cosmetic products are designed using a careful and responsible approach.

We strongly believe in the importance of being kind to animals. All our makeup products are PETA-certified 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Our products do not contain any animal-origin ingredients and are not tested on animals.

Formulas in our Oceanly™ line have been carefully developed, resulting in safe and high-quality cosmetics. We are proud to display our EWG VERIFIED™ certification, which ensures all our makeup products meet strict health and safety standards without any compromises.

Aware of the importance of preserving our environment, we have developed the Oceanly™ plastic-free makeup line by using sustainable alternatives. Thanks to high-performance ingredients that are more than 94%* naturally derived, our products respect our planet.

*According to ISO 16128 Standard

For a safe and responsible beauty routine, check out our new products:

• Lip glosses
• Blushes
• Concealers
• Foundations
• Tinted oils for the face
• Bronzers
• Illuminators

Each of these products has been designed to enhance your natural beauty while at the same time preserving your well-being. Discover the new ATTITUDE makeup line here.

Sources:

1. David Suzuki Foundation. (2010). (rep.). THE “DIRTY DOZEN” INGREDIENTS INVESTIGATED IN THE DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION SURVEY OF CHEMICALS IN COSMETICS. Consulté en mai 2023 au https://davidsuzuki.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/dirty-dozen-cosmetics-ingredients-backgrounder.pdf.
2. International Labor Organization, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (2019). Consulté en mai 2023 au https://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_card_id=0338&p_version=2&p_lang=en
3. Gouvernement du Canada, C. C. pour O. H. et S. (24 avril 2023). Dioxyde de titane. Centre canadien d’hygiène et de sécurité au travail. https://www.cchst.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/titanium_dioxide.html.
4. Eom, Y., Song, J. S., Lee, D. Y., Kim, M.-K., Kang, B.-R., Heo, J.-H., Lee, H. K., et Kim, H. M. (2016). Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticle exposure on the ocular surface: An animal study. The Ocular Surface, 14(2), 224–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2015.12.003.
5. Cartwright, M. (26 août 2022). Cochineal. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Cochineal/