Yeesh! Is this true?? I've found it's very difficult to get accurate info on this. One of my friends is very vegan/eco conscious she is always telling me to switch to "all natural" brands. I have been using Chanel for years though and can't do it. When i looked up info on this, I found arguments for both sides (some say the chemicals do no harm, others say they do). My only solution was to use less makeup. I def use makeup for work, but b/c of all the articles on artificial ingredients, I hardly wear makeup on the weekends.

Yikes!!! That's kind of gross!

YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel

I've read arguments on both sides of the issue, and it seems like there's a big gray issue. Personally, I use natural products when they make sense for me. I use a natural deodorant, and it works just as well as anti-perspirants, so why not? But for other things, like nail polish or lip gloss, I like the colors of "regular" cosmetics.

This is very intriguing.

The Beauty Brains covered this today too:
http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/06/22/are-your-cosmetics-poisoning-you/

I use Bare Minerals, so I wont be absorbing any of that cakey goopy stuff this year.

That's completely bogus information. Now I'm probably not going to buy from a natural company that lies like that. Who knows what else they'd lie about?

The skin does absorb some things applied to it, but not all. Lots of substances used in skin care just sit on the surface, like any one of dozens of petroleum derivatives (mineral oil, petrolatum, glycols, etc.). Unfortunately it is usually the more harmful substances (preservatives, synthetic chemical sunscreens, etc.) that are absorbed. There are mountains of evidence to prove this (not based on the study of cosmetics specifically, just on the permeability of the dermis). Research into what the skin absorbs from cosmetics has received renewed interest since the advancement of 'nano' technology, or the creation of substances that are INTENDED to penetrate the skin. They're being included regularly in department store skincare and cosmetics geared towards 'anti-aging', but haven't been tested in any long-term studies. And there is no federal regulation of cosmetics, so we're basically guinea pigs in that sense :/ However there does seem to be a huge movement towards more inert and 'natural' ingredients, so the alternative is readily available should we be scared to slather ourselves in La Mer and MAC anymore Sorry if I repeated anything in the article, I just perused it but have been keeping up with the issue for some time. /end blathering

personally i don't wear liquid foundation, which probably is the main contributor to all of the weight. if you just wear powder like me or maybe a little tinted moisturizer the weight would probably be a lot less

That is a trip! Whoa!

I can absorption with moisturizers and SPF lotions, even my lip balm! But makeup? 5 pounds? How does this explain all the crap that comes off on those cleansing cloths when I take makeup off?

The guy said this "We have no idea what these chemicals do when they are mixed together". Oh REALLY?!?! Then the heck was all that animal testing for?!?!

Pfft. Natural, non animal tested products are better in general but this guy is full of it.

I don't worry about it.

cosmetics & toiletries...I think that includes a lot of things other than just makeup. I think it might include lotions and stuff too?

Yikes! Five pounds seems like a lot... I figure I ingest lipstick/gloss/balm considering I "eat" away at it through the day. Five pounds worth? Definitely not.

I was reading this article on another website and while it's scary, it may not actually be true. Yes, our skin does absorb SOME stuff but this article makes our skin sound like a sponge which it is not. A better explanation or debunking of this article can be found on thebeautybrains.com, just scroll down.

If that includes stuff like lotions and creams then it makes more sense. Still sounds exaggerated though.

Quick question, if skin doesn't absorb what we put on it how do things like the birth control patch work?

I certainly hope thats not true! I use a lot of makeup, and after every shower I slather on scented body cream. I sometimes wonder whether my body is absorbing these things, but I think maybe its best not to think about it..cause I'm not giving up these things any time soon.

Well I'm pretty certain I don't absorb five pounds of makeup a year...but I probably but at least thirty five pounds, ha...I do believe in the absorption of products through the skin, and have to read products very carefully for ingredients because certain things that the cosmetics world uses as miracle ingredients are actually toxic to my health. I think this just serves as a reminder than you have to be as aware of what you put on your body as what you put in it, I say this as someone who has nearly died (not kidding) from acne medication.

I wear eye shadow, liner and lipstick..A little blush.

I am extremely biased, so some may want to close their ears when I say this, but I have conducted extensive research on this topic and written a paper on it as well and all that I will relay is that the cosmetic and fragrance industry is one of the least regulated. Dr. Weil is an excellent source of info on these types of things.

wow!

I would guess most of this makeup is "eaten" (lipstick, Gloss, etc.), and "inhaled" (powders) But even if we do ingest it, I doubt that todays makeups and products are all that harmful.

Obviously, there are some exceptions, but, most Beauty and cosmetic companies are trying to go as natural as possible.
Beauty companies realize that we, as consumers, are becoming increasingly aware of what we put on, and into our bodies. They have to adjust their products accordingly if they want to compete in todays market.
Absorbing chemicals from makeup may have been a concern 10 years ago, but in this day and age, I highly doubt that it's an issue!

Thats kinda freaky.

I defintely think the 5 lbs theory is exaggerated but I do know that the skin absorbs pretty much anything you put on it. Granted natural would be the way to go when it comes to making sure it is healthy but one would have to use a huge amount of products for any harm to happen. If you ever get a topical prescription for the skin, read the information that comes with it. It always says how the kidneys can possibly be effected because the kidneys filter the blood and therefore would filter the drugs you put on your skin. Make up and lotions, it seems to be, would be no different.

I'm not going to waste time worrying about it, as long as I look good!

Bella - if you don't mind me asking...what kind of natural deoderant have you found to work well? I'm not a fan of all the crap in the traditional kind, but haven't found a natural kind that works as good! Thanks for the info!

I have always been conscious of what I put on my body. It is just common sense that tells me what I apply gets absorbed. That is the point of lotion etc. is it not?

That's freaky, i hope it's not true