The beauty industry includes sales of cosmetics, perfume, and skin/hair care. This industry has deep roots in history and has remained relevant for a long time. People have always sought ways to enhance their natural beauty and make themselves look more attractive, but this also comes with a price. Although you might not think anything is wrong with a little bit of makeup, it is important to know what goes into your skin. 

  Foundation is typically used all over the face as a base to even out skin tone and to cover up any texture or imperfections. Normally, foundations are thick and stay on your face all day. Because of this, you can actually be clogging your pores by wearing this product all the time. Oil-based foundations that contain products such as almond oil, coconut oil, and mineral oil block sweat from coming out of your glands and create acne. Even if you wash your face regularly, you cannot really prevent clogged pores and breakouts if you are a daily foundation-wearer. 

  Another harmful product to your skin is waterproof mascara. While this product can be a lifesaver at the beach, it can be hurting your lashes. Ingredients such as waxes, solvents, silicons and polymers are all added ingredients to make sure the product does not run in water. These are all terrible for your lash line and known to weaken your natural eyelashes. Eyelid irritation and clogged pores are also a side effect of using waterproof mascara. 

  Flavored lipstick has also been revealed to be dangerous for your skin. Two consecutive FDA investigations have revealed that 100% of tested lipsticks were found to contain lead and not in small amounts. Many popular brands such as L’Oreal, Revlon, M.A.C., and Cover Girl tested positive for lead. Also, the chemicals in scents and added flavorings can irritate your skin or cause allergies. This can dry out your skin and make your lips feel really chapped. Lipstick in general is also known to contain coal tar dyes, which gives lipstick its color. Coal tar dyes are considered carcinogens and may contain heavy metals that are toxic to your brain. Paraffin is also an ingredient and is a petrochemical, likened to the exhaust of a car. 

  Makeup wipes, surprisingly, are actually the worst product for your skin. Wipes do not really clean your makeup off of your face. In reality, they simply smear around whatever makeup, dirt, and dead skin is on your face. Makeup wipes include chemicals such as formaldehyde, solubilizers, surfactants, and emulsifiers that can increase inflammation of your skin. Excessive rubbing of your skin can also result in premature wrinkles, fine lines, hyper-pigmentation, acne, and overall irritation. In addition to being harmful in general, if you forget to wash your face after you have used them, you can transfer the bacteria to your pillow. Your pillow already has a lot of bacteria in itself, and adding to it can lead to a bacterial concoction that your skin will not thank you for. 

  Remember, everyone is beautiful in their own way, and you do not need makeup to be pretty! Always make sure that when you are picking your makeup products, make sure you choose natural products that do not contain fragrances, alcohol, or oil. Makeup is made to make you feel confident and enhance your natural features. Junior Madison Ouellete said, “Wearing makeup makes me feel confident and my prettiest.” Stay safe and be aware of what goes into your skin.