Brutal Beauty – 6 Things Everyone Should Know Before Buying Beauty Products

Thanks to high-tech medical equipment and clever scientists, the beauty industry has been able to help us with everything from acne scar revision to cosmetic tattooing and lipstick that doesn’t smudge onto your teeth. However, behind all the glitz and glamor, there’s a dark side to this industry, one that needs to be brought out into the light if we are to move forward into a more ethical and eco-friendly way of living. 

1. Many cosmetics and skincare products are still tested on animals

When animals are used for testing skincare products, it is not a matter of putting a bit of lipstick on a bunny and seeing how it feels. The tests are always painful and distressing, and in the case of lethal-dose testing, the name says it all. 

Bunnies, mice, rats, and monkeys may have chemicals dripped in their eyes or applied to their skin, with no pain relief provided. They may also be force-fed concentrated chemical substances over long periods of time to monitor for things like cancer and birth defects. This is torture, plain and simple, and as we’re about to learn, it’s entirely unnecessary.  

2. Animal testing doesn’t even guarantee safety for humans

Let’s say testing is successful in animal trials – this offers no guarantee that a product will be safe for humans. Our genetics are different enough that an ingredient tolerated by mice may be hazardous for humans. The craziest part of all of this is, the FDA doesn’t even require that skincare products or cosmetics be tested on animals prior to human use. 

3. Cruelty-free doesn’t necessarily mean cruelty-free

Some clever beauty brands have figured out that a growing number of customers would rather go make-up-free than use something that’s been tested on animals. Instead of doing the ethical thing and changing their methods, these companies have thus far chosen the duplicitous route. 

Many beauty brands don’t test on animals themselves, but they source ingredients from companies that do test on animals, using supply chain manipulation to distance themselves from the cruelty. The worst part is, they then slap cruelty-free labels on their products. 

4. Counterfeit beauty products are terrifying

If you ever see an expensive product at a price that seems too good to be true, stay away. It’s likely to be a knock-off, which wouldn’t be such a concern if the products were simply ineffective. The problem is, they often contain things like bacteria, heavy metals, animal feces, urine, and paint stripper. If you’re ever in doubt about whether a product is genuine or not, err on the side of safety and avoid it.

5. Even the good stuff can be harmful

Even the best cosmetics often contain parabens. These have been detected in breast cancer tissue, and since they mimic female hormones, there’s a chance they may have an impact on fertility. This is just one of many chemicals found in skincare and beauty products.

Even if these chemicals don’t harm you, they don’t simply fizzle out after you use them. The residue from your beauty products ends up down the drain or in the trash. Either way, it goes back out into the environment. Even in trace amounts, these chemicals can be harmful to plants and animals, particularly when they form part of an accumulation of other waste. 

Though this all sounds dire, it doesn’t mean you have to go make-up-free. Instead, make a commitment to seeking out companies that are genuinely cruelty-free. From cosmetic tattooing to simple lipsticks and moisturizers, there are beauty brands all over the world that are committed to eco-friendly, cruelty-free practices.