Makeup Myths & Facts

From the copper and lead ore that the ancient Egyptians used to create the world's first cosmetics to the scientifically advanced products of today that can do everything from hide pores, smooth complexions and turn the pale green of your eyes a vivid shade of emerald, makeup has been an integral part of humankind for thousands of years. Over the centuries, women used burnt matches to darken their eyes, berries to stain their lips and young boys' urine to fade their freckles. They even swallowed ox blood in some misguided attempt to improve their complexions.

Makeup Myths and Facts

Myth: Cosmetics are not regulated.
Fact: The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires that cosmetics and their individual ingredients must be safe, and labeling must be truthful and not misleading. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has legal authority over cosmetics similar to its authority over other FDA-regulated products, such as foods,nonprescription drugs and nonprescription medical devices. For instance, the FDA can take immediate action to stop the sale of any cosmetic product that does not meet its standards.

Myth: Cosmetics contain dangerous, toxic ingredients.
Fact: FDA regulations require that all ingredients used in cosmetics be substantiated for safety. If this isn't done, the product's label must read: "WARNING: The safety of this product has not been determined." In the U.S., cosmetic manufacturers are required by law to establish the safety of both finished products and their ingredients.

Myth: No independent body evaluates the safety of cosmetic ingredients.
Fact: The cosmetic industry supports an independent panel of world-class medical and scientific experts, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (CIR). This scientific body examines all available data and assesses the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics. CIR publishes its findings in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Toxicology and has restricted or banned the use of hundreds of chemical ingredients owing to concerns over consumer safety.

Myth: Cosmetic and personal care products often contain substances known or suspected of causing cancer and reproductive toxicity.
Fact: No credible research has ever shown that any cosmetic or personal care products cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Chemicals found to be human carcinogens are not used in cosmetics. In fact, very few reports of injury involving cosmetics have ever been reported.

Myth: Cosmetic companies can use any ingredient they want in their products.
Fact: By law, every cosmetic on the shelf must be safe. In the U.S., cosmetics are regulated under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which is enforced by the FDA. The FDA has the legal authority to regulate the safety of cosmetic products; however, it has comparatively little need to use its authority, because cosmetics are composed of safe ingredients and because, when necessary, the cosmetics industry has acted voluntarily to withdraw ingredients that have been scientifically shown to have the potential for adverse effects.

Myth: Skin-care products are all hype; soap and water works just as well.
Fact: The science behind skin-care products has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 20 years. Today, there is good scientific evidence behind the use of such ingredients as antioxidant vitamins, green tea polyphenols, retinoids, alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids and essential oils in skin-care products to minimize wrinkles, fade dark spots and strengthen collagen.

Q: I never seem to buy the right makeup for my face. What am I doing wrong? The biggest mistake women make when buying makeup is buying something they're not comfortable with- either the product or the color. You have to know your own comfort level with color and be able to use what you purchase. The universal rule when it comes to using makeup is that less is more and layering is better. So blend and pat makeup onto different areas of your skin so the beauty of your skin can show through. When you're trying new things, just try one or two at a time. For instance, stick with neutral colors and buy a more vibrant lipstick or an eye shadow with more sparkle. And go for balance: if you're being dramatic on the eyes, go paler on the lips.

How to Read a Label

Confused about all the competing information on your cosmetic and skin-care products these days? Don't be. Here's our simple guide to reading cosmetic labels.

Alcohol free. In cosmetic labeling, the term "alcohol," used by itself, refers to ethyl alcohol. Cosmetic products, including those labeled "alcohol free," may contain other alcohols, such as cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl or lanolin alcohol. These are known as fatty alcohols, and their effects on the skin are quite different from those of ethyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol, which some consumers may think of as drying the skin, is rarely used in cosmetics.

"Cruelty-free or Not Tested on Animals." Although this statement implies the product hasn't been tested on animals, at some point most ingredients have been tested on animals. Look for the words "no new testing," or "not currently tested." The FDA also notes that there is no legal definition for these terms.

Hypoallergenic cosmetics. Products that manufacturers claim produce fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic products. However, there are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term or ensure that these products are less irritating to sensitive skin than others.

Ingredients. The FDA requires that cosmetic manufacturers list all ingredients on the labels of cosmetics sold on a retail basis to consumers- even if the label states "For professional use only." Ingredients are listed in order from the greatest to the least amount.

Noncomedogenic. Suggests products do not contain common pore-clogging ingredients that could result in acne.

Shelf-life (expiration date). The amount of time for which a product is good under normal conditions of storage and use. Storing cosmetics in damp, warm places like a bathroom can lead to earlier expiration.

This publication was produced with the support of an educational grant by the Estée Lauder Companies, Inc.

Create Date: 4/1/06
Date Last Updated: 4/1/06