Top 10 Risky Beauty Products We Can't Seem to Quit

The term 'non-toxic' in the beauty industry is often ambiguous and lacks regulation by authoritative entities such as the FDA. Additionally, some products are marketed as 'toxic-free,' implying they are free from harmful, carcinogenic, or questionable ingredients. Though not federally regulated, this claim is supported by the ToxicFree Foundation.

Despite the lack of regulation, many of us overlook the potentially harmful ingredients in our go-to beauty products, putting ourselves at risk. Here, we explore 10 of the most hazardous beauty items that remain in daily use.

10. Mercury-Laden Skin Creams

Mercury, a naturally occurring metal, becomes hazardous when released into the environment. In California, over 60 poisoning cases in the last decade have been linked to unlabeled or homemade skin creams containing mercury, often listed as mercurous chloride or calomel. Avoid unsealed or handmade creams, as they may be tampered with and contain harmful substances like mercury. These products are commonly used for treating blemishes, acne, age spots, and skin inflammation, and are often sold at flea markets, local stores, or online. Always check for an ingredient list—if it's missing, steer clear.

Many of these products are manufactured overseas and imported into the U.S. In previous cases of mercury poisoning linked to imported skin creams, children and infants—who were not the intended users—fell severely ill due to exposure to mercury contamination in their homes or through contact with family members using these products. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to mercury's harmful effects. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include tremors, memory problems, numbness, tingling, and changes in vision or hearing. Always exercise caution when selecting beauty products or experimenting with new brands.

9. Mascara

Every time you use your mascara, the wand becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. The dark, moist environment inside the mascara tube is ideal for bacterial growth. While many cosmetics include preservatives to slow this process, bacteria can still accumulate over time, potentially leading to infections such as eye cysts or conjunctivitis (pinkeye).

Always check expiration dates! Discard mascara after four to six months of use, or sooner if you notice clumping, changes in texture, color, or odor. Regardless of how much product remains or its cost, replace your mascara promptly to avoid health risks.

8. CC Creams

For those who favor a minimalist or no-makeup aesthetic, CC creams—short for color-correcting or complex-care creams—are an ideal choice. These versatile products often combine sunscreen, moisturizer, and foundation into one. Some formulations even include additional benefits like concealing, anti-aging properties, bronzing, highlighting, or oil control. Designed to tackle skin concerns such as redness, dullness, and dark circles, CC creams have won over many users with their lightweight texture and impressive coverage. However, the appeal of CC creams diminishes when considering certain brands and their potentially harmful ingredients.

Popular CC cream brands, such as Olay Total Effects 7-in-One Pore Minimizing (Fair to Light), can pose risks due to the inclusion of acrylamide. This chemical forms naturally in foods like potatoes, grains, and coffee during high-temperature cooking but is also added to cosmetics and plastics. Acrylamide has been linked to cancer, which explains its presence in cigarette smoke as well.

Additional ingredients to avoid in CC creams are oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate (a form of vitamin A). Oxybenzone, present in roughly 20% of CC creams, is a common sunscreen agent that can penetrate the skin, trigger allergic reactions, and potentially disrupt hormonal balance. Research has also associated it with a higher risk of endometriosis and lower birth weights in female infants. Retinyl palmitate, often found in night creams, can lead to excessive skin growth and increase the risk of skin tumors when exposed to sunlight. Always research ingredients before purchasing CC creams to avoid these risks.

7. Nail Polish

If you’ve ever cringed at the strong odor of nail polish or acetone remover during a manicure, you might wonder if the smell is a warning. Could it be your nail polish signaling that it contains harmful chemicals?

Nail polishes are packed with harmful chemicals that can cause a range of issues, from nail discoloration to brittleness and more severe health risks. For instance, Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Tone was found to contain high levels of styrene, a chemical used in plastics and rubber production. Styrene exposure can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system, while long-term exposure may lead to central nervous system problems, including headaches, fatigue, depression, and even nerve damage.

Some brands promote themselves as 'five-free,' meaning their polishes exclude five harmful ingredients: formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. However, nail polish removers are equally concerning, often containing isopropyl acetone and ethyl acetate, which can irritate the eyes and respiratory system. Methyl ethyl ketone, another common ingredient, may act as a neurotoxin. Prolonged use of these products has even been linked to serious conditions like myeloma. It’s enough to make you consider going au naturel with your nails.

6. Perfume

Perfumes have been used for centuries, often without much thought to their potential health risks. Celebrities like Halle Berry, Beyoncé, and Ariana Grande have launched their own fragrance lines or endorsed them, contributing to a resurgence in popularity. But despite their glamorous branding and social media hype, are these perfumes truly safe?

Even the most beautifully designed perfume bottles are filled with chemicals. Perfumes are complex blends of synthetic and natural ingredients designed to create unique scents. However, they often contain synthetic compounds like coumarin, BHT, citral, benzyl salicylate, oxybenzone, and lilial. Lilial, also known as butylphenyl methylpropional, has been linked to cancer and is banned in the EU starting March 2022. Before splurging on your favorite fragrance, take a closer look at its ingredients.

5. Setting Powder

No one enjoys dealing with an oily complexion, myself included. After putting in the effort to achieve a flawless look, it’s only natural to want it to last. This is where setting powders and sprays come into play. However, while these products help control shine, they might also expose you to potential health risks.

Many setting powders contain ingredients such as talc, titanium dioxide, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Talc, though natural, can be harmful if inhaled or ingested, leading to symptoms like eye and lung irritation, chest pain, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and even coma. Titanium dioxide, a UV filter, is safe in lotions but risky in powders. And polytetrafluoroethylene? That’s just a fancy name for Teflon—the same material used in non-stick pans. Suddenly, a little shine doesn’t seem so bad.

4. BB Creams

BB creams took the beauty world by storm when they debuted a decade ago, quickly becoming a must-have in Western markets. Beauty brands rushed to create their own versions, capitalizing on the craze. Marketed as multi-purpose products, BB creams promise to act as a serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation, and sunscreen all in one. However, popular options like Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream, Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Skin Perfector, and e.l.f. BB Cream may not be the best choice for everyone.

In addition to fragrances and oxybenzone (already highlighted in this list), these products often contain methylisothiazolinone, a chemical known for its harmful effects. Methylisothiazolinone is a common irritant that can trigger allergic reactions and cause skin, eye, and lung irritation. Banned in Europe for use in leave-on products like BB creams, this chemical has also been flagged in lab studies as a potential neurotoxin. Beyond their questionable ingredients, many of these creams fail to deliver on their promises, often relying on cheap, synthetic components that do little to nourish or protect your skin.

3. SPF Foundation

As awareness about skin cancer and sun damage grows, more brands are incorporating SPF into facial products like foundations, BB creams, and concealers. This addition gives consumers a sense of security, making them believe they’re protected from harmful UV rays.

However, the reality is quite different.

To truly benefit from the SPF in foundation, you’d need to apply far more than the typical amount used, a fact many beauty companies conveniently omit. For example, CoverGirl’s Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation with SPF was found by the EWG to offer negligible protection, falling short of its claims. Most makeup with SPF provides minimal sun protection, leaving your skin vulnerable. For effective coverage, apply a dedicated sunscreen first, followed by SPF-infused makeup if desired. Remember, combining a 30 SPF sunscreen with an 18 SPF foundation doesn’t give you 48 SPF—your protection is only as strong as the highest SPF in a single product.

2. Blush

Blush is meant to add a healthy, vibrant glow to your complexion, right? So why do many blushers, like CoverGirl Cheekers Face Blush and CoverGirl Instant Cheekbones Contouring Blush, contain formaldehyde? This harmful chemical appears under names like polyoxymethylene urea and quaternium-15, making it unsettling to think it’s being applied to your skin.

Polyoxymethylene urea, a synthetic polymer, is used in cosmetics as a bulking agent and to create microcapsules that hold color. Over time, it releases formaldehyde, which has been linked to organ damage and allergic reactions. Quaternium-15, another formaldehyde-releasing preservative, poses similar risks. It’s best to avoid products containing these chemicals altogether.

1. Lip Gloss

If you thought lip gloss was just a hassle when it traps your hair on a windy day, think again. Popular brands like Philosophy offer lip glosses with enticing scents such as Pink Frosted Animal Cracker, Peppermint Stick, and Senorita Margarita. While these flavors may smell delicious, they can be drying and irritating to the lips—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The Senorita Margarita flavor also includes citral, a naturally derived ingredient from plants. Despite its natural origin, citral can trigger severe allergic reactions, such as rashes, blisters, itching, and swelling of the eyes and lips. It’s crucial to remember that natural ingredients aren’t always harmless and can sometimes cause adverse effects. Furthermore, certain lip glosses may contain harmful metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, and others, adding to their potential risks.