Makeup Additives – Do You Know What You’re Putting on Your Face?

In today’s society many women apply makeup every morning before they leave the house but how many people really know what they’re putting on their face? Do you know what each additive does in your cosmetics? These are six additives found in makeup that you may not know their purpose: benzethonium chloride, candelilla wax, cetyl alcohol, para aminobenzoic acid, propylene glycol, and triethanolamine.

When you buy makeup you should always check the label to make sure that there is some sort of preserving agent that will prevent germs from growing. One of the most common preservatives and antiseptic compounds found in makeup is benzethonium chloride.

Candelilla wax is found in lipstick and lip balms and is what allows them to harden. Candelilla wax is derived from the leaves and stems of the candelilla shrub found in the southwestern states and northern Mexico.

The majority of additives that are used in makeup are found in foundation. Cetyl alcohol is an emollient, meaning it is used in makeup to soften and smooth the skin to which it is applied. This is used in foundations to create a soft look on the face.

Para aminobenzoic acid which is sometimes abbreviated to PABA used to be commonly found in foundations that offer sunscreen protection from UV rays. But according to the National Institute of Health: National Library of Medicine (2007), this compound isn’t commonly used anymore since it has been found to increase the risk of skin cancer in certain people whose bodies are not able to repair cellular defects caused by this acid.

Another additive found in many foundations is propylene glycol which helps prevent your skin from drying out when applying makeup by retaining it’s own moisture. This organic compound is also commonly used in body and facial moisturizers, not just makeup.

Triethanolamine stearate is an emulsifying agent used in foundations and other cosmetics to combine oil and water for a smooth appearance. This organic chemical compound can also be used as a pH balancer and is found in other beauty products, besides makeup, it is found in lotions, shaving foam, and shampoos.

These six additives are only some of those which you will find in the makeup you put on your face everyday and now you can feel a little more confident about what you’re using. If your makeup has other additives in the ingredients, don’t worry, cosmetic manufacturers use different products but FDA regulations prohibit the use of additives which may be dangerous in US produced makeup.