Is there lead in your red? Learn why Runway Room Mineral Products are amongst the safest on the market

As consumers, we’re inundated with ‘must-have’ beauty products on the daily. These products are everywhere we look on essentially all platforms of media, however we tend to focus on what we have rather than what’s in what we have. We are very trusting when it comes particularly to cosmetics, and hope that big brands have our wellbeing at heart. Unfortunately, this is not the case - a lot of dangerous chemicals are creeping their way into cosmetics that are sitting on your very own counters, and it’s time we shine a light on what your skin could be absorbing on a daily basis.

 

Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, zinc, chromium and iron are found in a wide variety of personal care products including lipstick, whitening toothpaste, eyeliner and nail color.

Toxic chemicals in makeup have been around for centuries. Looking back at the Victorian era, lead, ammonia, and radium powder were applied directly onto the face! The Victorian women were aware of the dangers of these ingredients posed, but they just thought it was worth it. In their time - however, the ‘’unhealthy’’ look was trending. Weakness and fragility were thought to be very beautiful, while extremely pale, translucent skin connoted purity, innocence, beauty and class. Now that it’s 2018, these notions can be seen as extremely antiquated and the idea of these chemicals still posing a threat to us today is unnecessary and outdated, especially when we have gorgeous mineral alternatives!

Lead has been brought up in the media recently as quite a contentious issue- some argue that the amount of lead found in makeup is not a cause for concern. However, the fact is:

‘’Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick, applied several times a day, can add up to significant exposure levels,’’ Dr. Mark Mitchell, co-chair of the environmental health task force for the National Medical Association, said in a Safe Cosmetics written statement. Therefore, once lead is absorbed by the body, there is essentially no way to get rid of it!

Lead is a well-known and proven neurotoxin that has been linked to learning, language and behavioral problems. Lead has been linked to reduced fertility in both men and women, hormonal changes and menstrual irregularities. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable because lead crosses the placenta and may enter the fetal brain, and has also been linked to miscarriage. So why are these still creeping into everyday cosmetics?

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS: Pregnant women, young children and adolescents.

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE LABEL: Lead acetate, chromium, thimerosal, hydrogenated cotton-seed oil, sodium hexametaphosphate. Note: products that contain contaminant metals will not list them on ingredient labels.

HEALTH CONCERNS: Cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, environmental concerns (bioaccumulation).

 

 PARABENS 

Another hot topic that has been discussed when it comes down to what nasties are sneaking into our cosmetics is the prevalence of parabens. 

Parabens are chemicals that are used in order to prevent bacterial growth in certain products- they are inexpensive to manufacture and increase shelf-life of items.  

FOUND IN: Makeup, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorants, toothpastes and a wide variety of other cosmetics and food additives 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE LABEL:  Ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, other ingredients ending in –paraben

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS: Pregnant women and young children

WHAT'S THE CONCERN? Some parabens are directly absorbed into the blood-stream, and consequently triggers the pituitary gland, a gland that regulates hormones, to mimic estrogen. Estrogen disruption has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues. Dr. Mercola, a specialist that has conducted extensive research surrounding the presence of parabens in breast cancer tissue states that parabens were detected in 99% of breast cancer tissues sampled.

These alarming results has caused experts to believe that there should be limits on paraben levels used in cosmetics, however, the FDA have neglected to update guidelines on this since 2007. 

RUNWAY ROOM & BENEFITS OF MINERAL

Runway Room have developed an extensive range of mineral products - there are a superfluous amount of big beauty brands out there, however there was undeniably a gap in the industry when it came to makeup that is actually good for your skin! Our mineral makeup helps you to achieve that luxe, flawless makeup without compromising your skin… and your health.

Mineral makeup is:

• Makeup in its most natural form
• Great for sensitive skin and contains anti-inflammatory properties
• Suitable for all skin types
• Long-lasting
• Possesses sun protective qualities
• Absorbs excess oil and prevents breakouts 
• Refines the appearance of pores and doesn't clog pores
• Minimises the appearance of wrinkles

 

 

Below are just a few of the mineral products in our range that are SAFE for every day use:

• Mineral Skin Pack (Foundation Stick, Mineral Powder Foundation, Glow Palette)

• Conceal and Illuminate Palette

• Eye dust range 

• Eye shadows 

• Brow dust

• Setting Powder

References:

Golden R., et al., A review of the endocrine activity of parabens and implications for potential risks to human health. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, vol. 35, pp 435-58, 2005.

Gray, J. State of the Evidence: The Connection between Breast Cancer and the Environment, 2008.

Merbola, Dr.,  40 Women With Breast Cancer Had Parabens in Their Tissue https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/02/toxic-parabens-on-breast-cancer-patients.aspx