Some companies are making safer products today and striving to make even safer products in the future.  More than 600 companies have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to remove hazardous chemicals and replace them with safe alternatives within three years.  Click here for the most recent list of Compact signers. Arbonne, Avon, Mary Kay and Melaleuca are aware of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics but have refused to sign it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), permanent cosmetics and permanent makeup is safe when the technician is educated regarding Bloodborne Pathogen control and follows all OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines. The California Code of Regulations lists standards to establish and maintain sterile conditions and safe disposal of instruments.

The most common injury from cosmetics is from scratching the eye with a mascara wand. Eye infections can result if the scratches go untreated. These infections can lead to ulcers on the cornea (clear covering of the eye), loss of lashes, or even blindness. To play it safe, never try to apply mascara while riding in a car, bus, train, or plane. Sharing make-up can also lead to serious problems. Cosmetic brushes and sponges pick up bacteria from the skin.

Founding groups of the Campaign include: Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, Breast Cancer Fund, Commonweal, Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, National Black Environmental Justice Network, National Environmental Trust and Womens Voices for the Earth. The Campaign also works with over 100 endorsing organizations and thousands of citizen activists. 

Spread the word about unsafe cosmetics to friends and family and encourage them to speak out. Write letters to cosmetics companies telling them about your concerns and asking them to remove unsafe ingredients from their products. "Vote with your dollars" by purchasing only the safest, most natural cosmetics available. Join the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Strict sanitation and sterilization guidelines are followed. A prescription of Zoviraz is essential for those with a history of cold sores when considering permanent lip color. Patch tests are available for those concerned. There are no known allergic reactions to the pigments, but few cases have been reported from red colors. There can be allergic reactions to the cains used in the topicals. In most cases discomfort is at a minimum.

Only a handful of people have reported minor problems around the eye area and no problems around the lip or brow area. Even in those rare cases when redness and edema occurred, it did not cause any permanent damage. Test studies have proven that the microscopic “iron” particles in pigment are too insignificant to react as true metal pieces but rather are more accurately compared with “metals” which already exist microscopically in our bodies.

No, we’re not. The chemicals present in any one cosmetic product are unlikely to cause harm. But none of us use just one product. Think about how many products you use in a single day—from toothpaste to soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, deodorant, body lotion, shaving products and makeup—and how many products you use in a year, and over a lifetime.

Click on the Safer Companies section of the Web site for a list of the companies that have signed the Compact. There you will find links to each company’s Web site where you can order their products or see where their products are sold.

Eye cosmetics must meet the same requirements as other cosmetics regarding safety and sanitary manufacturing. If contamination is found, the sale of such product is discontinued until corrective action is taken by the manufacturer. However, part of the responsibility for safety from microbiological contamination belongs to the individual consumer. In the area of eye cosmetics, much depends on the way a product is handled after purchase.

Propylene glycol is an ingredient used in numerous cosmetics and toiletries. It is also used as a powerful solvent to prevent creams from drying out. Propylene glycol is a petrochemical derivative and has been shown to cause allergies.

Zinc oxide (zincite) is a naturally occurring mineral that provides a white colour base for our cosmetic products as well as providing superior sun protection with broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) absorption. It is a soft, heavy white mineral powder that creates a soothing, protective barrier for the skin, and it recognised by the TGA as a skin soothing and healing agent. It is eminently safe!

New products still must undergo rigorous safety testing--whether they are tested on animals or not. These days, a cosmetics manufacturer may rely on some combination of computer modeling, in vitro tests, and trials with human volunteers, instead of on animal tests. The bottom line, however, is that all ingredients used in making cosmetics either have been tested on animals at some point or are known to be safe based on decades of use.

We prefer that our companies sign the Safe Cosmetics Act, but not all are signers yet. I think we have >85-90% signers...and growing. Our purity criteria is more strict than the Compact for Safe Cosmetics requires, meaning that just because a company signs the compact - it does not mean that their products meet our criteria.

Fragrances and preservatives are the main ingredients in cosmetics. Fragrances are the most common cause of skin problems. More than 5,000 different kinds are used in products. Products marked “fragrance-free” or “without perfume” means that no fragrances have been added to make the product smell good. Preservatives in cosmetics are the second most common cause of skin problems.

These are good examples of corporations that use breast cancer to boost sales, yet manufacture products that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease. To promote their image among female consumers, several major cosmetics companies have launched cause-related marketing campaigns around breast cancer—but a number of their products contain parabens (chemical preservatives) and phthalates, chemicals that disrupt normal hormone function when absorbed into the body.

Yes, there are many products out there to provide excellent camouflage of vitiligo spots. Some people prefer traditional waterproof makeup, designed to match every skin tone, and which can be applied to the spots only. Though they are waterproof, they are not always friction proof, and some men will not wear them. These types of covers are available in every skin tone, from very fair to dark black.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics — of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients.

Most patients, even those who are responding well to therapy, would like to make the Vitiligo less obvious. Many find that a combination of cosmetics effectively deemphasizes their skin disorder. Patients who are interested in dyes and stains should consult a dermatologist for the names of suitable commercial products. [top of page]

There are a variety of ways to package your cosmetics. If you'll be using the product immediately, as is the case with the Face Food Freshies, you may only need a package for overnight storage. A clean yogurt (or other plastic) container works well for this. You can also package your scrubs and masks made with fresh food items in small zip lock plastic baggies for easy "single serving" dispensing.

Permanent cosmetic makeup is cosmetic tattooing. The specialized techniques used for permanent cosmetics are often referred to as "micropigmentation", "micropigment implantation" or "dermagraphics". The cosmetic implantation technique deposits colored pigment into the upper reticular layer of the dermis.

Parabens are the most frequently used cosmetic preservative. You may see them as methylparaben, propylparaben, etc. We have chosen not to use them because they are strongly suspected to be linked with breast cancer. Recommended reading: "State of the Evidence," the 2004 report from the Breast Cancer Fund. - top -

Almost anyone of any age who wears makeup or wants to improve an existing skin imperfection can be helped by this technique.

Yes, providing they have a protective seal that has not been opened or tampered with. Products without a protective seal cannot be returned unless they are faulty.

Also called cosmetic tattooing, permanent make-up, or occasionally, micropigmentation, it is a procedure of artistically placing color into the upper dermal layer of the skin. Although permanent, aging and sun exposure will cause it to fade over time. For this reason, touch-up or refresher appointments may be desired every few years to keep your makeup looking itâ??s best.

I use various cosmetics including Max Factor, MAC, Jean D'Arcel, Pier Auge and Estee Lauder. These cosmetics I find are good quality, lovely colours, have little perfume in them and last really well.

I prefer using the professional products I have in my kit. They give me consistent results. However, if you have products you really want me to use, I will be happy to accommodate.

To find stores in your area that carry jane, click on the store locator right here on our website, or contact us at 1-877-GET-JANE. We are adding new stores all the time. So, be sure to re-check the store list periodically for an update.