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Do You Know What’s in Your Cosmetics?

February 10, 2008 by Holly
Filed Under: Bath & Beauty, Your Style
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Loreal cosmetics

Very few people actually read the list of ingredients on the box of a cosmetic item. If you’re animal-friendly, you may check to see if there is a line that reads “not tested on animals,” which is most of the time at the bottom of the box, but besides that not too many people read through the list printed on their beauty products. In the same respect, what do all those grossly large and confusing words mean anyway?

If the word squalene [or squalane] seems familiar to you, it probably is. Squalene is a very common emollient used in beauty products such as lotions, creams and glosses and is used by big name companies such as L’Oréal Paris. However, squalene is being phased out of cosmetic products as of late due to the vast decline in numbers of deep-sea sharks.

Squalene, which has been an in demand ingredient for beauty products is found in large quantities in the livers of deep-sea sharks and due to the sharks being caught and killed purely for this ingredient, cosmetic companies are seeking the aid of olive extracts to replace the deep-sea shark liver oil. However, if all companies switch to olive extracts, simple supply and demand may be in trouble, as there are only so many olives to go around to big companies.

In 2006, L’Oréal eliminated squalene from their skin care products replacing it with a plant-based substitute and plan to eliminate the ingredient from 12 other lipsticks that they produce. Asian-based cosmetic companies may not be going the same route, though, as shark squalene still remains in very high demand.

So the next time you’re picking up your favorite skin care item, lipstick or gloss and you see squalene listed in the ingredients you can now say you not only know what it means, but know that the company has decided to continue to use deep-sea shark oil in their product and have not opted for either olive extracts or plant-based substitutes. Help eliminate the cause for concern over the dwindling numbers of deep-sea sharks.

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About Holly Ord

Woman Tribune founder, Holly Ord, is a freelance writer, web designer and developer, feminist activist and believer in women. She lives in NEPA and has been blogging on women's rights and gender equality at her website, MenstrualPoetry.com for the better part of three years.

Holly's Home Page & Twitter

Comments

35 Comments on "Do You Know What’s in Your Cosmetics?"

  1. Seventies Hairstyle on Sun, 10th Feb 2008 8:28 am 

    It is a very valid point that you have brought up. Most people typically do not check the ingredient of a product before going for it. It is just the brand that matters……

  2. car parts baby-Z on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:00 am 

    Most customers do not read the contents of what they are buying. I admit I’m one of them. I’m lazy. This is a good post

  3. Deborah Robinson on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 1:24 am 

    This article has been included in the latest edition of Mom’s Blogging Carnival

  4. stroblowski on Wed, 27th Feb 2008 2:33 pm 

    Thank you. This is a very interesting post.
    I hope you will write more about cosmetic.
    Best wishes.

  5. Toronto Cosmetic Surgery on Tue, 29th Apr 2008 10:50 am 

    Thanks for the heads up. My five year old daughter uses lip gloss so I’ll have to be more vigilant.

  6. BK Hackett on Sun, 18th May 2008 12:01 pm 

    You’re right. Most have no idea what is in the cosmetics used and how it can effect their health.

  7. chikwendu on Tue, 20th May 2008 9:20 am 

    Information does not apply.

  8. AutoInsuranceQuotes on Wed, 21st May 2008 7:08 am 

    After watching the Tyra Banks show that was dedicated to this, i’m surprised that there hasn’t been some type of “boycott” of cosmetics by now…lol

  9. esca makeup on Sun, 1st Jun 2008 5:21 am 

    Yeah, I always try to read the information on the label before I purchase any type of makeup or cosmetic. I have never actually looked for squalane, though. Well, I like to purchase animal-friendly products myself.

  10. emu oil on Wed, 4th Jun 2008 9:19 am 

    I have done a lot of research on this subject and its amazing how many cosmetics out there use chemical byproducts. Thats full on about the sharks liver.

  11. Auto on Mon, 14th Jul 2008 1:39 pm 

    Yeah, after watching cable specials and talk shows regarding bacteria and other “objects” that are in cosmetics these days, my wife decided to stop wearing makeup altogether. And i couldn’t be happier, mainly because she use to spend a fortune every week on cosmetic products she barely even used…lol.

  12. Bath and Body on Thu, 7th Aug 2008 3:08 pm 

    It is very sad that sharks are being killed just for their livers, so that big companies can make big money off of it. On the good note, there are companies out there that are animal friendly and use only natural plant based oils and other plant ingredients in their Bath and Body products. Best Bath Store is one of those companies. Check out their website, but clicking on the Bath and Body link.

  13. Tom on Sat, 23rd Aug 2008 9:14 am 

    I’m sorry, after the whole thing with Chinese cosmetics I see no point in buying anything that’s not animal friendly (and nothing against Chinese of course, it just seems like their quality control isn’t what it should be) . It’s so easy to do too, just read labels.. well just my 2 cents. —T

  14. Jaki - antique chinese parrots on Fri, 24th Oct 2008 5:40 pm 

    In this day and age I can’t believe we still use animals for testing and as ingredients for ridiculous reasons.
    People if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. A quick search online will give you info on what cosmetics company still use animal testing, please help this industry change their ways.

  15. Save my skin on Tue, 25th Nov 2008 1:12 am 

    Well we still have to use animals for testing of medicines and medical procedures, however testing for cosmetics is pretty disgusting.

    It is safer though to have done these tests, less chance of violent allergic reactions for users.

  16. student on Mon, 26th Jan 2009 7:22 pm 

    i LOVE your article. it really helped me in m project for school. :) can you possibly give me an exact webpage that has a loreal product with shark sqalene in it (not that i don’t believe you and your picture but it’s for the observation part of the project)?

    <3 ya Holly!!!

    PS Don’t get to freaked out…i’m a girl student :)

  17. Bret on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 12:26 pm 

    Nice post. It is a good reminder to the consumers. Before buying lotion, lipstick or lip gloss examine the product ingredients. That way you can prevent yourself from violating the animal rights. Thanks for the post.

  18. Courtney Umenyiora on Thu, 9th Apr 2009 2:25 pm 

    i have found a great makeup website that i wanted to share with all of you that doesnt include shark liver in their products!! let me know what you think!

  19. Rob from Cosmetic Yellow on Sun, 3rd May 2009 10:29 am 

    Thanks for the post. The first thing that I generally look for first is (as you mentioned) the not tested on animals label. The other key is to ensure for vegans is making sure that none of the ingredients have animal-based extracts

  20. Kelly Brown on Fri, 12th Jun 2009 1:14 pm 

    The article is usefull for me. I’ll be coming back to your blog.

  21. BB Cream on Mon, 29th Jun 2009 1:17 am 

    That’s a shame about squalene. Thing is like you said, olive oil is actually an “endangered” product as well, very much dependent on the weather conditions for harvest output. You may have noticed that the price of olive oil keeps increasing. Thankfully there are many types of oil cosmetic companies can use instead of olive oil.

  22. Solar panels on Fri, 4th Sep 2009 9:51 am 

    i have thought that it is the human freindly and for making cosmetics items there is no need of the killing animals

  23. Choose The Right Natural Body Lotion | Natural Body Lotion on Tue, 29th Sep 2009 9:59 pm 

    [...] Do You Know What’s in Your Cosmetics? | Woman Tribune – Squalene, an oil found in the livers of deep-sea sharks is used as an emollient in lotions, creams and glosses. [...]

  24. julia on Thu, 5th Nov 2009 4:35 am 

    OH MY GOODNESS I never ever check that form next time i will. thanx for writing something like this n bringing awareness among ppl

  25. John - Cosmetic Surgery on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 9:35 am 

    yes, and shark’s liver contents probably isn’t the worst of it! lol

  26. Cosmetics Girl on Sat, 21st Nov 2009 8:16 am 

    Been using cosmetics since I was a teenager. Oh yes, I never read its content as long as I love the color and I look to the brands too. This has been a great post. I should be aware of what are the things I buy.

  27. Cosmetics Girl on Fri, 4th Dec 2009 10:17 pm 

    It\’s a good thing that you brought up this information to us. I personally don\’t check the ingredients on the cosmetics that i bought. As long as I love the color and it blends on my skin.

  28. kavithaniggula on Mon, 1st Mar 2010 10:22 pm 

    Thanks for the posting this information.I like your information. I hope you will write more about cosmetic products.The information is usefull for me.Great post….

  29. kavithaniggula on Mon, 1st Mar 2010 10:27 pm 

    wow,Great post for cosmetic products information.This information usefull for me.Thank you

  30. bveeresh1 on Fri, 5th Mar 2010 7:44 pm 

    I always try to read the information on the label before I purchase any type of makeup or cosmetic. I have never actually looked for squalane, though.thanx for writing something like this n bringing awareness among ppl

  31. bveeresh1 on Fri, 5th Mar 2010 7:46 pm 

    I Agree With Your Post Of Comments…..On the good note, there are companies out there that are animal friendly and use only natural plant based oils and other plant ingredients in their Bath and Body products.

  32. VeganBeauty on Sat, 6th Mar 2010 11:15 pm 

    Great article. I really enjoyed reading it. It was both entertaining and helpful. Now, I’ll be more careful buying from companies that harm animals.
    Complete Makeup Guide..

  33. dead sea cosmetics on Wed, 28th Apr 2010 12:00 pm 

    I am always reading the ingredients of the cosmetic product that i buy and i am looking for natural ingredients.

  34. Tooth Abscess Treatment on Mon, 14th Jun 2010 12:11 pm 

    Great information.. Loreal paris is one the best in making girls pretty. Keep it up!

  35. Judith Summers on Mon, 5th Jul 2010 5:27 am 

    L’Oreal has had some pretty girls endorse for them. Penelope Cruz,Aishwarya Rai et al., Wow!

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