Many of these stores sell nail polish, blush on, and any online stores sell nail polish, blush-on and makeup. But what most people don’t know is that many, if not all, of these products are highly toxic. Despite well designed and marketed labels, many of these are highly toxic with little or no information given on the packaging or the site about its dangers. The end result is the hundreds of horror stories in newspapers and websites of women who have experienced severe adverse effects owing to use of cosmetics they purchased online. The surprising bit about this is the fact that it’s not just small or new manufacturers but also a few established ones that fail to inform their buyers.

Finding out if they are toxic?

If you want to find out if a cosmetic product contains dangerous toxins then make sure to read the label. There should be a list of ingredients either on the box, the leaflet or on the website itself. If there is no detailed description of exactly what the makeup contains then it is best not to take the risk of buying something that may be dangerous to your health. The reason being that credible and established manufacturers will always list what their product contain even if they are selling it at a low price point.

Beware of this toxic trio

If there is no detailed description of exactly what the makeup contains then it is best not to take the risk of buying something that may be dangerous to your health

Once you do get to read the list of ingredients how do you know which of these are toxic? Making an educated purchase requires that you be familiar with the so called toxic trio. These are three frequently used chemicals in the cosmetics industry but which are dangerous and which contribute to the toxicity of the formula.

  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): Known to trigger severe asthma attacks cause breathing issues, and even temporary blindness, DBP is one of the most toxic chemicals used in cosmetics today. DBP has been associated with cancer and even reproductive issues when tested on lab animals. Some experts refer to this as being a potent male reproductive system disruptor.
  • Toluene: An extremely strong solvent derived and found in crude gasoline. Toluene is known to cause temporary intoxication and dizziness. This volatile chemical if inhaled or perhaps absorbed through the skin, nails and hair will cause an array of health issues. It is important to note that toluene is often listed as toluol or phenylmethane.
  • Formaldehyde: Considered as a human carcinogen by a number of American health agencies, Formaldehyde is an extremely irritating- creating chemical which can be especially dangerous for people with allergies. Many cosmetics sold online that list the chemical will list it as being “formalin” so women need to look out for this.

When purchasing cosmetics over the Internet it pays to be informed and vigilant. If you want to avoid buying highly toxic yet cheap cosmetics perhaps opt for their herbal or natural alternatives manufactured by reputed cosmetics companies.