9 Makeup Ingredients to Avoid for a Cleaner Beauty Routine

Whether you love a full glam routine or prefer a minimal, everyday look, makeup enhances your personal style and your natural beauty.  As interest grows in clean beauty, nontoxic makeup, and natural cosmetics, many people are taking a closer look at cosmetic ingredient labels and exploring options that align with their preferences. Luckily, understanding what goes into your skincare and makeup products can help you feel more confident in your beauty routine.

If you’ve ever checked the back of your favorite foundation, powder, or eyeshadow, you’ve probably noticed a list of ingredients that can be difficult to recognize. These ingredients are commonly used to create color, improve texture, and extend shelf life—but learning more about them can make it easier to navigate the world of ingredient-conscious beauty, chemical-free cosmetics, and safe makeup for sensitive skin.

In the U.S., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees certain aspects of cosmetic safety, including color additives, while brands are responsible for the overall safety of their formulations. Because terms like “natural,” “clean,” and “hypoallergenic” aren’t strictly defined, many consumers choose to do their own research when shopping for clean makeup brands, organic cosmetics, and cruelty-free beauty products.

The good news? There are more choices than ever when it comes to clean beauty products, mineral makeup, and nontoxic cosmetics with simpler, more transparent ingredient lists. We’re breaking down some commonly discussed ingredients found in makeup, where they’re typically used, and what to keep in mind as you build a cleaner, more mindful beauty routine.

Phthalates

Found in: Nail polish; cosmetics with synthetic fragrances
Worry because: They are known endocrine disrupters. Studies have linked them to early puberty in girls and a risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
Look out for: Dibutylphthalate (DBP); Diethylphthalate (DEP)
Best bet: Avoid cosmetics that list “fragrance” or “parfum.” Choose ones that are “fragrance-free” or “scented with only essential oils.”

1,3-butadiene

Found in: Foundation
Worry because: It’s classified as a known human carcinogen, and can be toxic to human development and reproductive health.
Look out for: 1,3-butadiene
Best bet: If you see the above ingredient on a bottle of foundation, move on.

Lead and other heavy metals

Found in: Lipstick; eyeliner; nail polish; foundations; sunscreens; eye shadows; blush; concealer
Worry because: Lead is a proven neurotoxin and has been linked to reduced fertility, hormonal changes, menstrual irregularities, and sometimes miscarriages [5]. It may also  delay puberty. Mercury and other metals can be toxic to the nervous, reproductive, immune, and respiratory systems, and poses harm to the environment and wildlife [6].
Look out for: Lead acetate; Chromium; Thimerosal; Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil; Sodium Hexametaphosphate
Best bet: Stick to makeup products without the above ingredients.

BHA and BHT

Found in: Various types of makeup (as preservatives)
Worry because: They are known endocrine disruptors, organ system toxicants, and can be harmful to fish and wildlife.
Look out For: BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Best bet: Ditch some of the acne-fighting formulas that may contain the above ingredients. If you’re worried about zits, try eating these skin-friendly foods.

Formaldehyde releasers

Found in: Various types of makeup (as preservatives)
Worry because: They release that nasty chemical formaldehyde (yep, the nauseating stuff used in your high school biology dissections), which causes cancer.
Look out for: DMDM Hydantoin; Diazolidinyl Urea; Imidazolidinyl Urea; Methenamine and Quarternium-15; Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol ); Hydroxymethylglycinate
Best bet: Look for makeup with fewer ingredients.

Titanium Dioxide

Found in: Pressed powder and loose powder
Worry because: It’s a possible carcinogen (through inhalation only).
Look out for: Titanium Dioxide; TiO2
Best bet: Be wary of many loose powders. Pressed powder is safer, and avoid ones containing titanium dioxide.

Octinoxate

Found in: Lipstick, nail polish
Worry because: It’s an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen and can disrupt thyroid function and reproductive development.
Look out for: Octinoxate,o methoxycinnamate (OMC); Parsol; Parsol MCX; Parsol MOX; Escalol; 2-ethylhexyl P-methoxycinnamate
Best bet: This is a common sunscreen ingredient and is sometimes used to protect products from degrading in the sun. Avoid SPF products containing the above chemicals.

Carbon black

Found in: Eyeliner, mascara, nail polish, eye shadow, brush-on-brow, lipstick, blushers, rouge, makeup, and foundation
Worry because: Possible carcinogen, may increase risk of lung disease and cardiovascular disease
Look out for: Carbon Black; D & C Black No. 2; Acetylene Black; Channel Black; Furnace Black; Lamp Black; Thermal Black
Best bet: You may want the blackest black makeup you can find for the most dramatic smoky eye possible, but products without the above ingredients are your best bet.

Benzophenone

Found in: Nail polish; SPF lip balm and foundation
Worry because: It can cause cancer and endocrine disruption, and may be toxic to developmental, reproductive, and organ system health. Not to mention, it’s toxic to aquatic animals when it ends up in their environments as people swim slathered in SPF products.
Look out for: Phenyl Ketone; Diphenyl Ketone; Benzoylbenzene; Benzoylphenyl
Best bet: Choose sunscreen products that use non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.