For years, I never thought very much about my makeup.
I wanted it to look pretty, work well and stay where I put it. I did not want to spend my day wondering whether my eyeliner had migrated halfway to my ear. đ
Meanwhile, I was working hard to nourish my body with good food, release weight, manage stress and make better choices in other areas of my life.
Then my friend Lisa began teaching me about Crunchi in 2023, and I realized I had completely overlooked something I was putting on my face every single day.
Have you ever felt that way?
Your skin is your largest organ and one of your bodyâs most important protective barriers. It does not absorb everything that touches it, and certain substances can penetrate your skin depending on the ingredient, formulation and exposure.
Lip products deserve attention too. We eat, drink and lick our lips throughout the day, so small amounts of what we put on them can be swallowed.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences explains that endocrine-disrupting chemicals may mimic, block or interfere with hormones. These chemicals can be found in many everyday products, including some cosmetics.
That was enough to make me take a much closer look at my makeup bag.
Greenwashing happens when a company makes a product appear healthier or more environmentally responsible than it really is.
A company may remove one well-known ingredient, place a green leaf on the package and advertise the product as âclean.â
And what about everything else still in the formula?
Most people do not stand in a store reading a twenty-line ingredient label while searching every word on their phones. We see âparaben-free,â ânaturalâ or âmade with organic ingredients,â and understandably assume someone has already done the homework for us.
That is what I appreciate about Crunchi. It did not remove one trendy ingredient and call the job finished.
According to Crunchi, more than 10,000 ingredients do not make the cut for its products. Its published Banished Ingredients list highlights 50 of the worst offenders and commonly used ingredients or ingredient groups found in conventional cosmetics and even in products marketed as natural or clean.
Crunchiâs current published list includes the following ingredients and ingredient groups:
⢠1,4-Dioxane
⢠2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, also called Bromopol
⢠Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77002
⢠Benzalkonium Chloride
⢠Benzophenones
⢠BHA and BHT
⢠Bismuth Oxychloride
⢠Boric Acid
⢠Butoxyethanol
⢠Carbon Black
⢠Coal Tar
⢠Cyclic Siloxanes
⢠Diazolidinyl Urea
⢠Diethyl Phthalate, DEP
⢠DMDM Hydantoin
⢠Ethanolamine Compounds, MEA, DEA and TEA
⢠Ethoxylated Ingredients
⢠Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid, EDTA
⢠Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents
⢠Grapefruit Seed Extract
⢠Homosalate, HMS
⢠Hydroquinone
⢠Imidazolidinyl Urea
⢠Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, IPBC
⢠Japanese Honeysuckle Extract
⢠Loose Powder Titanium Dioxide
⢠Mercury and Mercury Compounds
⢠Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone
⢠Mineral Oil
⢠Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials
⢠Octinoxate
⢠Oxybenzone
⢠Parabens
⢠PEGs, Polyethylene Glycol
⢠PFAS, âForever Chemicalsâ and PTFE, also known as Teflon
⢠Phenoxyethanol
⢠Phthalates
⢠Propylene Glycol
⢠Quaternium-15
⢠Resorcinol
⢠Retinyl Palmitate and Retinol
⢠Synthetic Colorants, FD&C Colorants and Lake Dyes
⢠Synthetic Flavors
⢠Synthetic Fragrance
⢠Talc
⢠Triclosan
Several headings represent entire families of ingredients, which is why this list reaches far beyond the number of headings shown above.
The reasons differ from one ingredient to another.
Some have evidence related to hormone activity. Crunchiâs research discusses potential hormone-related concerns involving ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, BHA, octinoxate, homosalate, oxybenzone, benzophenones and triclosan.
Some may release or contain concerning contaminants. For example, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives can release small amounts of formaldehyde over time. The National Cancer Institute identifies formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen.
Ethoxylated ingredients and PEGs may contain 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. The Environmental Protection Agency characterizes 1,4-dioxane as likely to be carcinogenic to humans.
Other ingredients are associated with irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, environmental persistence or contamination concerns.
PFAS are called âforever chemicalsâ because of their persistence. In color cosmetics, they may be used to improve spreadability, water resistance and staying power.
That gives new meaning to makeup that promises to last forever, does it not? đł
Accuracy matters to me.
Not every ingredient on Crunchiâs list carries the same evidence, hazard or potential exposure. Some concerns come from human evidence. Others come from laboratory or animal studies, possible contamination, occupational exposure, environmental effects or reports of irritation and sensitivity.
Crunchi has chosen to apply a precautionary standard. When evidence raises enough concern, the company looks for another way to formulate the product.
That is the kind of uncompromising approach I want supporting the choices I make every morning.
I want better ingredients, and I still want my makeup to look beautiful.
I want concealer that helps me look rested when my calendar says otherwise. I want lovely eyeshadow, eyeliner that behaves itself, pretty blush and a lip color that makes me feel finished.
Choosing more carefully does not mean giving up beauty or fun.
Crunchi is EWG VERIFIED, Leaping Bunny Certified, vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, a women-owned business, made in the USA and 4ocean Certified Plastic Neutral.
It is makeup I can enjoy from a company that has done far more homework than I ever wanted to do while standing in front of my bathroom mirror.
You do not need to throw away your entire makeup bag tonight and walk around tomorrow looking startled. đ
Start by paying attention.
Turn over the products you use most often. Look at your concealer, powder, eye makeup and lip products. Read the complete ingredient list instead of relying on one claim printed on the front.
When something runs out, replace it with a product chosen more thoughtfully.
You work hard to nourish your body, make better food choices, manage stress and feel your best. Paying attention to what goes on your skin is another part of taking responsibility for your well-being.
This is your reminder that your makeup bag is allowed to be pretty, fun and filled with products made by a company that refuses to compromise its standards.
You can explore Crunchi through my personal link and receive 10% off your first order. Be sure to sign up for Crunchi notifications so you hear about new products and specials as they arrive.
⢠Crunchi Banished Ingredientsâ
⢠Crunchi Clean Beauty Standards and Certificationsâ
⢠National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Endocrine Disruptorsâ
⢠Environmental Protection Agency: 1,4-Dioxane Risk Evaluationâ
⢠EPA Integrated Risk Information System: 1,4-Dioxaneâ
⢠National Cancer Institute: Formaldehydeâ
This article is educational and is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any medical condition.
Affiliate Disclosure: I am an independent Crunchi Advocate and may earn a commission when you purchase through this link, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I personally use and genuinely recommend.
Keep going,
Dr. Brookh Lyons
Founder, Body Bella Transformations
Body Bella Transformations LLC
Available nationwide
(920) 695-5561
