Do You Know What’s in Your Cosmetics?

Written on February 10, 2008 by Holly · Filed under Beauty

Loreal Paris 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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10 Responses »

  1. Seventies Hairstyle on February 10th, 2008 at 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 February 15th, 2008 at 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 February 18th, 2008 at 1:24 am

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

  4. stroblowski on February 27th, 2008 at 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 April 29th, 2008 at 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 May 18th, 2008 at 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 May 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am

    Information does not apply.

  8. AutoInsuranceQuotes on May 21st, 2008 at 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 June 1st, 2008 at 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.

    Thanks for the info!

    esca makeups last blog post..In Buying ESCA Makeup

  10. emu oil on June 4th, 2008 at 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.

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