Ethics

When it comes to looking or feeling our best, we don’t often hesitate to splurge on high-end cosmetics and skincare products. However, before you shell out your hard-earned money on your next bottle of bath oil, toner or moisturizer, take a look at the ingredients label to spot potential pore-clogging culprits and skin irritators. 

At Venusian Mirror, we take your body's health seriously. We avoid known harmful ingredients. Below is a list of known toxic ingredients that we steer clear of to keep you as healthy and happy as possible. 

Here is a list of the ingredients we straight up avoid:

  1. Petrolium-by-products & Mineral Oils
    Also known as: petroleum jelly, petrolatum, liquid paraffin, Vaseline,
    Derived from petroleum, mineral oil is used as a moisturizing agent in many cosmetic products. But, unlike other moisturizing ingredients, mineral oil doesn’t penetrate the skin. Instead, it sits atop the skin, forming a thin film barrier that traps dead skin cells and bacteria beneath it. Although not necessarily comedogenic, mineral oil can contribute to skin breakouts by preventing the skin from breathing and shedding dead skin cells. If you are looking for a new moisturizer, there are plenty of great options for you to choose from that do not contain mineral oil.
    Found in: Moisturizers, lotions, lip treatments, cosmetics, baby products, hair products etc. 
    Why we avoid it: Can’t be metabolized and is the greatest contamination of the human body (it gets into your body and will not leave!). Human carcinogen, linked to cancer, linked to estrogen dominance. In the E.U. petrolatum can only be used in cosmetics "if the full refining history is known and it can be shown that the substance from which it is produced is not a carcinogen.
  2. Isopropyl Myristate is a common thickening agent used in cosmetic and skincare products. Because of its heavy and thick properties, it can cause clogged pores and contribute to breakouts with repeated use. Those with oily or combination skin should avoid products with this comedogenic ingredient.
  3. Alcohol Many face washes, toners and cosmetic products contain a form of alcohol, an ingredient known for drying out the skin. When applied topically, it quickly evaporates, leaving behind a light, clean feel and a more penetrable skin surface. This may seem great because it makes it easier for ingredients like retinol and benzoyl peroxide sink into your skin, but it does so by breaking down the skin’s structure and making it weak.

  4. Dioxane Also known as Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Sodium Laureate Sulfate and PEG. Not listed as a separate ingredient. Any ingredient listed with “eth", polyethylene glycol, polyoxynylene, oxynol. Found in 22% of all petroleum-based cosmetics, lotions, soaps, shampoos, cleansers, as well as products that create suds. EWG reported that 46% off all products tested contained 1,4 Dioxane.
    Why do we avoid it? Human carcinogen, can cause cancer and birth defects. Dioxane is banned in Canada, PEG banned in E.U. Classified in the State of California to cause cancer. 
  5. Benzophene 
    Also known as: Benzophenone, oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, sulisobenzone sodium, and ingredients containing the word benzophenone. Found in Chemical Sunscreens, nail polish, lip treatments, foundations, moisturizers and fragrances. Used as UV blockers.
    Why do we avoid it? Linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, irritation, and ecotoxicity. Restricted in E.U. and U.S.
  6. BHA & BHT 
    Also known as: Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluen. 
    Found in: Lip treatments, color cosmetics and fragrances. Used in moisturizers and cosmetics as preservatives. 
    Why do we avoid it? Can cause endocrine disruption, organ-system toxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, cancer, and irritation. Harmful to fish and other wildlife. BHA banned in E.U.
  7. DEA Regulated Ingredients:
    Also known as:     Ethanolamine Compounds, Triethanolamine, diethanolamine, DEA, TEA, cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, DEA-cetyl phosphate, DEA oleth-3 phosphate, lauramide DEA, linoleamide MEA, myristamide DEA, oleamide DEA, stearmide MEA, and TEA-lauryl sulfate.
    Found in: Moisturizers, shaving creams, color cosmetics and fragrances. Makes product creamy or sudsy. 
    Why we avoid it: Can cause cancer, bioaccumulation, organ system toxicity, skin & eye irritation. DEA banned in E.U.
  8. Formaldehyde 
    Also known as:  Quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxyethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol (bromopol) and glyoxal.
    Found in: Soaps, body wash, nail polish, nail hardener, hair treatments and color cosmetics.
    Why we avoid it: Can cause cancer, skin irritation and sensitization. Banned in Japan and Sweden, restricted in E.U. and Canada.
  9. Hydroquinone 
    Also known as: Hydroquinone or tocopheryl acetate.
    Found in: Cleansers, skin lighteners and moisturizers.
    Why we avoid it: Can cause cancer, organ-system toxicity and respiratory tract irritation. Banned in E.U., restricted in Canada and U.S.
  10. Parabens 
    Also known as: Ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and ingredients ending in –paraben.
    Found in: Cleansers, moisturizers, body washes and body scrubs.
    Why we avoid it: Can cause endocrine disruption, cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity. Some forms banned in Denmark
  11. Parabens 
    Also known as: Ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and ingredients ending in –paraben.
    Found in: Cleansers, moisturizers, body washes and body scrubs.
    Why we avoid it: Can cause endocrine disruption, cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity. Some forms banned in Denmark.
  12. Phenoxeythanol
    Also known as:     Phenoxyethanol, 2-Phenoxyethanol, Euxyl K 400 (mixture of Phenoxyethanol and 1, 2-dibromo-2, 4-dicyanobutane), and PhE.
    Found in: Moisturizers, lip treatments, color cosmetics, hand lotion, body washes and soaps.
    Why we avoid it: Can cause allergies and nervous system effects. Restricted in E.U.
  13. Polyacrylamides 

    Also know as: Polyacrylamide, acrylamide, polyacrylate, polyquaternium and acrylate.
    Found In: Moisturizers, anti-aging products, color cosmetics and body lotions.
    Why we avoid it: Can cause reproductive and developmental toxicity (when Polyacrylamide breaks down into a acrylamide, which is a carcinogen). Banned in E.U.

  14. Siloxane

    Also Know As: cyclomethicone, ingredients ending in “-siloxane” or “-methicone”, D3, D4 and D5 and D6
    Found In: silicone based products used to soften, smooth and moisten. "Oil-Free" makeup products. They make hair and cosmetic products dry more quickly and deodorants creams slide on more easily. 
    Why we avoid it: endocrine disruptor, reproductive toxicant, cancer, influence neurotransmitters in the nervous system. Harmful to fish and wildlife. No restrictions on these ingredients in cosmetics. However in the
    E.U. D4 and D5 have been deemed hazardous.

  15. Triclosan

    Found In: Antibacterial products like hand soap, antiperspirants/deodorants, cleansers, hand sanitizes, toothpaste, mouthwash.
    Why we avoid it: endocrine disruptor, irritating to skin & eyes, harmful to fish and wildlife, doesn’t easily degrade, may contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria, higher risk for food allergy. Restricted use in Canada and E.U. From 1/1/2017 it will be banned from retail consumer hygiene products in Minnesota.

TO SUMMARIZE

READ THE LABELS! It is not enough that a brand claims to be "all natural" or "fragrance free".

Changing out your beauty products may take some time and energy, but you could find that some of your allergy and health problems will suddenly disappear when you no longer use cosmetics formulated with petrochemicals and other synthetics.

This "toxic list" is extensive, but the more you educate yourself on what’s actually in skin care and cosmetic products, it’s going to be easier searching out those beauty products that are healthy and beneficial to your whole body!