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Do You Know What’s in Your Cosmetics?
Very few people read the list of ingredients on the back of a cosmetics box. 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 not too many people read through the list of ingredients printed on their beauty products. In the same respect, what do all those grossly large and confusing words mean anyway?
If the word squalene 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.
Photo by CrowChick
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About the Author: Holly Ord
In addition to being the Founder and Editor of Woman Tribune, Holly Ord is a freelance writer, web designer and developer, feminist activist and blogger, and hopeless video game addict. She lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania and has been blogging on liberal politics and gender equality on her personal website, Menstrual Poetry since 2007.
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30 Comments on Do You Know What’s in Your Cosmetics? / Add Your Comment
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……
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
This article has been included in the latest edition of Mom’s Blogging Carnival
Thanks for the heads up. My five year old daughter uses lip gloss so I’ll have to be more vigilant.
You’re right. Most have no idea what is in the cosmetics used and how it can effect their health.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
i have thought that it is the human freindly and for making cosmetics items there is no need of the killing animals
[...] 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. [...]
OH MY GOODNESS I never ever check that form next time i will. thanx for writing something like this n bringing awareness among ppl
yes, and shark’s liver contents probably isn’t the worst of it! lol
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.
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.
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
I am always reading the ingredients of the cosmetic product that i buy and i am looking for natural ingredients.
this article is really great. a lot of useful info. I think that every product should have written on the pack which substances are contained in it and how it can harm the body.
keep up the great work..
We are squalane suppliers. We shifted all our animal squalane customers to the plant squalane (from olives). It is a tendency around the world. So you can use it without guilt
I personally like to use squalane with my daily routine to keep a smooth and soft face and arms. It puts back all the nutrients and natural oil that I lose during the day, which is great!
i think that’s why there so called Food and Drug Authority to protect consumers from these untoward incidence which can result from untested cosmetic products.
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