Top 5 Hidden Secrets the Beauty Industry Doesn't Want you To Know
#5: “Hypoallergenic” Is a Marketing Term with Little Meaning
If you’ve ever picked up a skincare product that claimed to be hypoallergenic because you didn’t want to risk an adverse skin reaction, you may have been wasting your money. According to the FDA, there are actually no “Federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term "hypoallergenic."” That means companies can throw this label on pretty much anything they want, as it’s essentially meaningless. In fact, the ingredients used in these products may be exactly the same as in products without the label. The same goes for other popular buzzwords like “non-comedogenic” and “natural.” For such claims, no proof or evidence is required.
#4: Approximately 1 in 5 Cosmetic Products Contain Formaldehyde
It’s tempting to buy inexpensive makeup products and wilfully ignore the ingredients in them that enable companies to sell them at such low prices. There are no regulations from the FDA in the U.S. about how much formaldehyde can be included in skincare and makeup products. Traces of lead have also been found in hundreds of popular lipstick colors. If you want to know if your favorite cosmetics contain harmful or potentially carcinogenic ingredients, there are lots of resources out there to help you out - including apps like “GoodGuide,” which gives you a rating for any product you’re interested in.
#3: SPF in Makeup Isn't Enough
We all know how important sun protection is for our skin, but putting on multiple layers of product in the morning can be a hassle. Enter foundations and tinted moisturizers with SPF. Seems like the perfect solution, right? Unfortunately, it IS too good to be true. Though the sun protection added to your favorite cosmetic product might in theory work well, in practice it’s very unlikely that you’re getting adequate coverage. You have to really slather on your sunscreen and most people apply their makeup too sparingly for it to actually give them complete protection. Also, we can bet you’re not putting foundation on your ears, chest and the back of your hands.
#2: ‘FDA-Approved’ Doesn’t Mean All That Much
There is no law in place saying that a makeup product must be reviewed by the FDA before it can hit the shelves. Nor is there any other governing body that approves cosmetics. In fact, the FDA doesn’t even approve cosmetics, only color additives that may be used in cosmetics. While makeup companies have a legal responsibility to ensure their products are safe for use, many still include toxic ingredients like parabens in their lines. Even brands that market themselves as being “all natural” or “cruelty-free” can produce products containing questionable or dangerous ingredients.
#1: Most Anti-Aging Products Don’t Work
Nothing will stop you from getting older, but that doesn’t stop women from spending millions of dollars every year on products that claim that they will reduce wrinkles, smooth skin and fight the signs of aging. Walk into any drugstore and you’ll see dozens if not hundreds of bottles and tubes that make grandiose claims about the fountains of youth that they offer. In reality though, there are only a couple of ingredients that can actually improve the state of your skin and most of them won’t be found in significant amounts in over the counter formulas. There is one thing that can stop your skin from looking older though: wearing sunscreen every day.
