In today’s beauty market, many makeup brands still rely on harmful chemicals and synthetic ingredients in their products. While these toxic substances may offer short-term benefits like smoother application or longer shelf life, they can compromise your skin’s health and overall wellbeing in the long run.
At KIBI Raw Minerals, we believe that achieving a naturally flawless finish doesn’t require sacrificing your health. Below, we highlight the most common toxic ingredients still found in makeup today, why they’re harmful to your skin, and how clean beauty alternatives deliver superior results—without the risks.
- Parabens – Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, etc.) are preservatives used to extend the shelf life of beauty products by preventing mould and bacteria growth. However, they are known endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormone function and linked to issues such as reproductive problems, breast cancer, and developmental disorders.
Why You Don’t Need Them: Natural preservatives like benzoic acid and sorbic acid effectively extend the shelf life of makeup products without harming your health. Clean beauty uses these safer, naturally derived alternatives.
- Phthalates – Phthalates are used to increase the flexibility and longevity of makeup products. However, like parabens, they are also known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to fertility problems, early puberty, and even liver and kidney damage.
Why You Don’t Need Them: Natural oils and safe emollients such as capric/caprylic triglyceride from coconut oil offer long-lasting effects without the toxic risks associated with phthalates.
- Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents- Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen found in some cosmetics, especially nail polishes and hair treatments. Ingredients such as DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15 release formaldehyde over time, exposing users to harmful chemicals.
Why You Don’t Need Them: Clean beauty brands like KIBI avoid formaldehyde entirely, using natural preservatives like Glycerin and vitamin E, which maintain product integrity without harmful chemicals.
- Synthetic Fragrances – Fragrance blends in cosmetics may seem harmless, but many synthetic fragrances are made with dozens of chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, dermatitis, and respiratory issues. Often, these chemicals are not listed on product labels.
Why You Don’t Need Them: Natural essential oils, such as lavender oil and rose extract, offer pleasant scents without the risk of allergic reactions or hormone disruption.
- Talc – Talc is commonly used in powders to absorb moisture and prevent caking. However, concerns about asbestos contamination in talc have raised alarms, as asbestos is a known carcinogen linked to lung cancer and other serious conditions.
Why You Don’t Need It: Clean beauty brands use safe alternatives like rice powder and mica, which provide the same mattifying effects without the risk of asbestos contamination.
- Silicones – Silicones like dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane give makeup a silky, smooth texture but can create an artificial barrier on the skin. This traps dirt, oil, and bacteria, leading to clogged pores, breakouts, and dullness over time.
Why You Don’t Need Them: Natural hydrating ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera offer a smooth texture without suffocating your skin. These alternatives allow your skin to breathe while keeping it moisturised and glowing.
- Oxybenzone: Harmful Sunscreen – Oxybenzone is a chemical sunscreen used in SPF makeup. It’s linked to hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and it is also harmful to coral reefs and marine life.
Why You Don’t Need It: Physical sunscreens like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide provide broad-spectrum protection by sitting on the skin’s surface, offering safe and effective sun protection without harming your hormones or the environment.
- Lead – Lead, a heavy metal, is sometimes found in lipsticks as a contaminant. Even in small amounts, lead exposure is linked to neurological damage, hormone disruption, and reproductive harm.
Why You Don’t Need It: Clean beauty brands use iron oxides, natural pigments that provide vibrant hues without the risk of heavy metal contamination.
- Petroleum Distillates – Petroleum distillates, often found in mascaras and other products, are derived from crude oil and can cause skin irritation. They are also environmentally harmful and non-renewable.
Why You Don’t Need Them: Sustainable alternatives like beeswax and carnauba wax offer the same long-lasting effects without the health risks or environmental concerns.
- PEG Compounds (Polyethylene Glycol) – PEG compounds are used as thickeners or emulsifiers in makeup, but they can be contaminated with carcinogens like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Side note: Some PEGs can be considered safer when they are properly purified and used in skincare.
Why You Don’t Need Them: Ingredients like coconut oil or shea butter act as natural thickeners and emollients, offering a luxurious texture without the toxic byproducts.
- Ethoxylated AgentsEthoxylated agents, like sodium laureth sulfate, are used to create foam but can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen. These agents can strip skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.
Why You Don’t Need Them: Plant-based surfactants like coco-glucoside or decyl glucoside cleanse without stripping or irritating the skin.
- Mineral Oil – Mineral oil (also labelled as paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, or liquid paraffin) is a byproduct of petroleum. While it may initially feel hydrating, it can clog pores and is often contaminated with carcinogens.
Why You Don’t Need It: Light, non-comedogenic oils like argan oil and jojoba oil hydrate without clogging pores, providing deep moisture and nourishment.
Why Clean Beauty Is the Future
Harmful, toxic ingredients have no place in your makeup routine. Achieving a naturally flawless finish doesn’t require exposing your skin to endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, or allergens. Clean beauty products protect and nourish your skin while delivering superior results.
At KIBI Raw Minerals, we’re committed to transparency and safety. Every product is crafted with the finest, ethically sourced, 100% natural ingredients. With powdered mineral makeup, which remains the purest and best choice for your skin, you get flawless coverage without unnecessary additives. Unlike liquid makeup, which often requires preservatives and stabilisers, powdered mineral makeup offers purity and skin-loving benefits without compromise.
Sources:
- [FDA on Parabens] (https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/parabens-cosmetics)
- [Harvard Study on Phthalates] (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/phthalates-increased-risk-diabetes-women/)
- [Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk] (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-fact-sheet)
- [Synthetic Fragrances and Allergies] (https://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20160422/fragrance-chemicals)
- [Talc and Asbestos Risks] (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/talcum-powder-and-cancer.html)
- [Silicones in Skincare] (https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/silicones-and-skin-care)
- [Oxybenzone’s Risks] (https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/)
- [Lead in Lipstick] (https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/lead-lipstick)
- [Petroleum Distillates in Cosmetics] (https://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/petrolatum/)
- [Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds] (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21243300/)
- [Sodium Laureth Sulfate](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4802015/)
- [Mineral Oil Risks](https://www.healthline.com/health/mineral-oil-in-cosmetics)