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ICON DECODER

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Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
> more about ratings

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Cosmetics

The Guide > Personal Care > Beauty > Cosmetics 

    Industry Alert: Animal testing, nanotechnology

Animal Testing

Animal testing rests on a logical contradiction. It is 'because animals are like us' that experiments are useful, yet it is 'because animals are not like us' that makes it morally okay to experiment on animals.' Prof. Charles R. Magel.

In March 2009, Europe introduced a ban on animal testing of cosmetics, prohibiting the testing of cosmetics on animals in cases where non-animal alternatives are available, and the sale of animal tested cosmetics no matter where they are produced.
  • Have your say in the Australian campaign to ban animal testing of cosmetics, and find non-tested products.  [Choose Cruelty Free]
  • Search PETA's database of companies that do and that don't test their products on animals.  [PETA]

Nanotechnology

Studies suggest nanotechnology ingredients in cosmetics pose serious health risks to the women wearing them. Nanoparticles are incredibly small ' measured in nanometres (nm), or one-billionth of a meter. They are found in cosmetics, moisturisers, and some sunscreens, and are used to increase products' penetration into the skin. Concerns have been raised that if nanoparticles are absorbed into living skin cells, they could increase the risk of skin cancer. Testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth, found nanoparticles in foundations and concealers sold by 10 top name brands ' including Christian Dior, Revlon, and Yves Saint Laurent. Only one of these, Christian Dior, labelled its use of nano ingredients. Companies are not legally required to test the safety of nanoparticles before using them in products, or to label their products as containing nano ingredients.
  • Learn more about the use of nanoparticles in comsumer products at Friends of the Earth's Emerging Tech Project.  [FOE]
  • Use the Nanotechnology Products Database to find out which products contain nanoparticles  [Nanotechnology Products Database]

Chemicals in Cosmetics

In Australia, cosmetics must comply with safety standards, but there is no international consensus. Some chemicals banned in Europe and the US are still considered safe by Australian authorities. These include DBP in nail polish, BHA in lipsticks, lead acetate in hair colour, and coal tar in anti-dandruff shampoos.

Other chemicals, although safe in small amounts, do build up over time and this intensive long-term exposure does seem to present unnecessary health risks. These include mineral oil, DEA/TEA/MEA, D&C colours, aluminium, talc, and synthetic fragrances.
  • Avoid known toxins. Decode the chemical nasties with the Chemical Maze app and book.  [The Chemical Maze]
  • Check out the Skin Deep cosmetics database with over 88,000 different products and a safety assessment of ingredients (US).  [Skin Deep]

Microplastics

Microplastics (often labelled as 'polyethylene' on product labels) are used in some personal care products such as facial scrubs, cleansers and toothpaste. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean. While microplastics aren't thought to be a health hazard to consumers, they are a threat to the marine environment.

As microplastics (plastic pieces of less than one millimetre diameter) are indistinguishable from plankton, the potential for ingestion by tiny crustaceans is wide. If these creatures ingest them and are eaten by other larger creatures and so on, microplastics can travel up the food chain. And because polyethylene is well known for absorbing toxins, these toxins could also end up in the seafood we eat like shellfish, white fish and tuna.

The three main sources of microplastic in marine environments are:
1) consumer products such as cosmetics,
2) breakdown of larger plastic material, and
3) the shedding of synthetic fibres from textiles by domestic clothes washing.

To reduce the amount of microplastic getting into our waterways:
  • Avoid personal care products containing polyethylene  [Beat the Microbead]
  • Avoid clothing made from synthetic fibres
  • Keep plastics, such as plastic bags and bottles, out of waterways

Alternatives beyond the mainstream

Miessence  [more info]
Features: Certified organic, cruelty free, Australian owned, carbon neutral
Miessence has an extensive range of certified organic products for skin, hair, body, cosmetic and oral. Available online.
Manufacturer: Miessence
About these listings
Find farmers' markets, food coops, farm gate products at Local Harvest
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
Mineral Fusion  BWX   Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Adorn  Adorn Cosmetics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Chi Chi  Chi Chi Cosmetics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Eco Minerals  Eco Minerals   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Ere Perez  Ere Perez   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Australis  Heritage Brands   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Hello Kitty  Heritage Brands  
Brand Owner: Sanrio  
Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Mode  Heritage Brands   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Inika  Inika Organic   (Total Beauty Network) Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Innoxa  Innoxa   (Heritage Brands) Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
MCoBeauty  ModelCo   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
ModelCo  ModelCo   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Napoleon  Napoleon Perdis   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Natio  Natio   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Nude by Nature  Nude by Nature   (Crescent Capital) Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Designer Brands  Total Beauty Network   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Raww   Total Beauty Network   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Vani-T  Vani-T Pty Ltd   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Zuii  Zuii Organic   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
BareMinerals  BareMinerals   (Advent International) USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Inglot  Inglot   POL  Some praise, no criticism2
Lush  Lush Australasia   (Lush) UK  Some praise, no criticism2
Physicians Formula  Markwins   USA  Some praise, no criticism2
ecotools  Paris Presents   (Yellow Wood Partners)
Distributor: Chemcorp  
USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Real Techniques  Paris Presents   (Yellow Wood Partners)
Distributor: Chemcorp  
USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Eylure  PDC Brands  
Distributor: McPherson's  
USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Prestige Cosmetics  Prestige Cosmetics   USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Artiste  Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics   USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Bloom  Bloom Cosmetics   Australian Owned  No rating3
2Glo  Coral Colours   Australian Owned  No rating3
Coral Colours  Coral Colours   Australian Owned  No rating3
Natural Glamour  Coral Colours   Australian Owned  No rating3
SHE  Coral Colours   Australian Owned  No rating3
Glam by Manicare  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Manicare  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Face of Australia  Ross Laboratories   Australian Owned  No rating3
Antipodes  Antipodes NZ   NZL  No rating3
essence  cosnova   GER  No rating3
1000 Hour  Chemcorp   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
Rubi  Cotton On   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
Mecca Cosmetica  MECCA Brands   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
Mecca Max  MECCA Brands   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
Lacura  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Aveda  Aveda Australia   (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Becca  BECCA Cosmetics   (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
e.l.f.  elf Cosmetics   USA  Praises, some criticism4
Bobbi Brown  Estee Lauder Australia    (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Clinique  Estee Lauder Australia    (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Estee Lauder  Estee Lauder Australia    (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
mac  Estee Lauder Australia    (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Smashbox  Estee Lauder Australia    (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Tom Ford Beauty  Estee Lauder Australia    (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
H&M  H&M   SWE  Praises, some criticism4
Nutrimetics  Nutrimetics Australia   (New Image Group) NZL  Praises, some criticism4
stila  Stila Cosmetics   (Patriarch Partners) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Body Shop  The Body Shop   (Natura & Co) BRA  Praises, some criticism4
Too Faced  Too Faced Cosmetics   (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
MUD  Heat   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Ulta3  Heat   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Clarins  Clarins Australia   (Famille C) FRA  Criticism, some praise5
NARS  Shiseido   JPN  Criticism, some praise5
Shiseido  Shiseido   JPN  Criticism, some praise5
Avon  Avon Australia   (Natura & Co) BRA  Criticisms6
Chanel  Chanel Australia   (Chanel) FRA  Criticisms6
Dior  Christian Dior   (LVMH) FRA  Criticisms6
Bourjois  Coty Australia   (JAB) LUX  Criticisms6
Covergirl  Coty Australia   (JAB) LUX  Criticisms6
Max Factor  Coty Australia   (JAB) LUX  Criticisms6
NYC - New York Colour  Coty Australia   (JAB) LUX  Criticisms6
Rimmel  Coty Australia   (JAB) LUX  Criticisms6
Sally Hansen  Coty Australia   (JAB) LUX  Criticisms6
Cutex  Cutex Brands   (Revlon) USA  Criticisms6
Elizabeth Arden  Elizabeth Arden Australia   (Revlon) USA  Criticisms6
Dermablend  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Giorgio Armani  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal)
Brand Owner: Armani  
FRA  Criticisms6
Helena Rubinstein  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Kiehl's  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
L'Oreal  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Lancome  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Maybelline  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
NYX  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Shu Uemura  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Yves Saint Laurent  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Sephora  LVMH   FRA  Criticisms6
Benefit  LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics Australia   (LVMH) FRA  Criticisms6
Guerlain  LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics Australia   (LVMH) FRA  Criticisms6
Almay  Revlon Australia   (Revlon) USA  Criticisms6
Revlon  Revlon Australia   (Revlon) USA  Criticisms6
Urban Decay  Urban Decay   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6



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