Do you know what’s really in your beauty products? If not, you may want to double-check their labels for harmful chemicals or toxins. Also do some extra research in case they use unlabeled dangerous ingredients, potentially even fetal tissue.

Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered!

Unethical beauty

You read that right! It has been found that some popular cosmetics use aborted fetal tissue cells. Initially, after being developed at the University of Lausanne to help heal burns, these cells were given the euphemism “Processed Skin Proteins” (PSP). Today, PSP’s are used in skin care by developers who believe it helps with anti-aging.

Most companies with allegations of aborted fetal tissue use, including skin care brand Neocutis, won’t confirm or deny these claims but are highly suspected.

Chemicals to avoid

Companies also love to hide toxic chemicals in the long list of ingredients on their beauty bottles. Some common toxins include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene).

BHA is tested on animals and often causes stomach, liver, and reproductive damage and is considered a carcinogen. BHT has also been linked to kidney and liver failure.

A strange one to check for is coal tar which might be labeled as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. This is commonly used in shampoos and psoriasis creams. Be careful because these toxins can cause skin cancer, clog pores, or create sensitivity to light.

Take an extra glance at your imported beauty products! These may contain mercury, even a small amount of which can damage your skin (and even your brain).

Think about investing in some new, clean nail and eyelash products, many of which contain the carcinogen formaldehyde. (Check the ingredients list on your baby shampoos for this as well!)

Ammonia, sulfates, parabens, and chlorine are all toxins we know are harmful, but are found in many cosmetics. But it’s time to kick them! Others you might not recognize, but should toss are Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Hydroquinone, and Oxybenzone.

Approved brands!

If this all seems too overwhelming, we hear you!

To help you avoid unethical or damaging products we’ve put together a list of some of the best toxic-free beauty brands available.

ILIA

ILIA works to create products that won’t irritate the skin or cause redness. The makeup brand is gluten, paraben, phthalate, petroleum, mineral oil, talc, and BHA/BHT free!

Honest

Honest has everything you need from makeup to diapers! The brand carries a plethora of products for the whole family and uses an in-house toxicologist to keep its products clean.

Nécessaire

Nécessaire makes more with less! It’s dedicated to simple and low-ingredient products, like deodorant, body wash, hand cream, and more. Its formulas are non-comedogenic and EU-compliant.

Acure

Acure can help you get clean ingredients for items you could easily forget to switch out. It carries clean dry shampoo, eczema cream, and serums! It also allows you to “shop by concern” to easily find products that work for your skin type.

Typology

If you need some self-care items, but still want to stay natural, visit Typology‘s site. It sells clean self-tanner, skin scrubs, and masks!

Well People

Don’t forget about your makeup brushes! Brushes are commonly made of harmful plastics, so look into brands like Well People, which carries brushes made from plant-based products.

It can be hard to make the switch to non-toxic living, but the rewards of clean, more ethical living are worth it!