The Hidden History of Cosmetics: Why Clean Beauty Matters More Than Ever

Modern Products With Ingredients Still Under Health Scrutiny

These examples are not “dangerous products” in themselves — they’re simply widely sold items that contain ingredient types scientists and regulatory bodies continue to evaluate. The goal is education, not alarm.

A 1920s advertisement for talcum powder — showcasing how beauty, hygiene, and advertising intersected in earlier eras. Talc (often contaminated with asbestos) — probable ovarian cancer & mesothelioma risk after decades of use.” Mesothelioma Center+1

1. Mineral-Oil Baby Oils (the classic “baby oil” category)

“Baby oil” is traditionally just highly refined petroleum-derived oil with added fragrance. The concerns often center on the fragrance component and the petroleum origin:

• Fragrance can contain dozens of undisclosed chemicals, many of which fall under the “fragrance/parfum” umbrella and don’t have to be individually listed.

• These fragrance blends sometimes include:

  • Phthalates (used to make scents last longer; associated with hormone disruption)

  • Synthetic musks (linked to bioaccumulation and potential reproductive effects)

  • Allergens and sensitizers that can irritate delicate or developing skin

• Most synthetic fragrances are petroleum-derived, adding another layer of exposure some families prefer to avoid.

• Infants and pregnant people are more vulnerable to fragrance chemicals due to thinner skin and developing systems.

• And because mineral oil forms an occlusive layer, it can trap any irritating components on the skin for longer.

For these reasons, many health-conscious families now choose simple plant-based oils (such as grapeseed, sunflower, or jojoba) as a gentler post-bath moisturizer — minimizing fragrance exposure while nourishing the skin naturally.

2. Talc-Based Loose Powders (common across many brands)

This isn’t about any specific company — it’s about talc as an ingredient category.

Regulators and independent researchers continue to highlight concerns with talc when used in loose or aerosolized form because:

• Inhalation risk: Fine talc particles can be respirable, and inhalation (especially chronic) is considered a health concern.

• Contamination potential: Talc is mined from the earth near asbestos, so purity testing is critical. This contamination risk, not talc itself, is what drives many modern warnings.

• Gynecological concerns: Epidemiological studies link long-term perineal talc use to increased ovarian cancer risk — not conclusively, but enough that several governments classify talc as a possible carcinogen.

Because loose powders disperse easily into the air, many people choose cornstarch or mica alternatives as a precaution.

3. Chemical-Filter Sunscreens (found in many mainstream SPF lotions)

Again, this is not about any one brand — it’s about the UV filter category.

Common chemical filters such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and octocrylene are being re-evaluated because:

• They are systemically absorbed, shown in multiple biomonitoring studies.

• Several have been flagged for endocrine-disrupting activity at certain exposure levels.

• Some filters have ecological impacts, leading to bans in Hawaii and other regions due to coral reef toxicity.

Regulators generally consider mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) the safest options for both humans and the environment.

Why Ingredient Caution Still Matters Today

1. Exposures are cumulative

We aren’t typically harmed by one use, but daily, lifelong exposure — especially from multiple products — adds up. People may use:

• Powder

• Sunscreen

• Lotion

• Deodorant

• Shampoo

• Makeup

• Fragrance

Each contributes small, repeated exposures over decades.

2. Regulatory science moves slowly

Ingredients often stay on the market for many years while research evolves. Something can be legally allowed but still under scientific scrutiny.

3. Babies, children, and pregnant individuals are uniquely vulnerable

Developing skin and endocrine systems absorb and react differently to certain chemicals. Many consumers choose to reduce questionable ingredients during these life stages out of precaution.

What This Means for Clean Beauty & Conscious Consumers (like Solomé clients)

Your instincts — to question “popular trusted” brands and to favor ingredient transparency, minimalism, and clean formulations — are exactly what protects people from invisible harm. The fact that commonly sold products still carry risk shows that:

• Regulation remains weak — many harmful ingredients are not outright banned; they’re simply “allowed until proven harmful.”

• Consumer vigilance is the only real defense — reading labels, avoiding suspicious ingredients (like talc, “fragrance,” strong chemical UV filters, petroleum-derived oils), favoring mineral-based or plant-based alternatives.

• Trust must be earned, not assumed. A long history doesn’t guarantee safety.
  
  

Common Conventional Products & Ingredient Red Flags

Here are 20+ types of products that frequently contain ingredients linked to endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity, or reproductive/immune risk — i.e. products that are worth avoiding or at least auditing closely. These cover cosmetics, skincare, hair care, nail care, and general personal-care items.

Safer Alternatives & What to Look for Instead

When you’re building a clean-beauty routine (or advising clients), these are guideline signs or alternative ingredient types that tend to be safer, or at least lower-risk:

• Fragrance-free or “unscented” products — avoid “fragrance / parfum” or “parfum” on the label

• Use mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) instead of chemical filters

• Use powders and cosmetics with earth pigments, iron oxides, mineral-based colors (rather than talc, coal tar, or petrochemical pigments)

• Choose paraben-free, phthalate-free, PFAS-free, formaldehyde-releaser-free options

• Avoid long-lasting / waterproof / “resistant” claims — opt for simpler, more natural formulations

• Prefer clean oil-based moisturizers that use plant oils or butters rather than petroleum-derived oils

• Use sulfate-free cleansers/shampoos and avoid DEA/MEA/TEA, PEG/PPG, silicones if possible

• For nail care: avoid toluene, DBP, formaldehyde — pick “3-free” or “5-free” polishes with safer solvents

• For long-term body art or permanent makeup — avoid heavy pigments, tar-derived blacks, petrochemical dyes — insist on transparent pigment sourcing and safest alternatives

Why This List Matters 

• According to recent analyses of thousands of beauty products, 80% of personal-care products marketed to Black women still contain at least one ingredient flagged as hazardous (formaldehyde-releasers, phthalates, isothiazolinones, synthetic dyes, etc.). The Guardian+1

• Regulatory oversight remains weak — in many countries cosmetics companies self-regulate with little required safety testing before products go to market. EWG+1

• For a brand like Solomé, prioritizing transparency, clean formulation, minimalism not only protects clients — it builds public trust, brand integrity, and long-term health value.

• Consumers are increasingly aware — demand for clean beauty is growing. Highlighting your safer alternatives becomes a competitive advantage and a mission-driven brand identity.

Our Mineral Tinted Moisturizer uses non-nano zinc oxide to protect your skin naturally from the sun, while providing a soft, mineral finish. A clean, mindful alternative to chemical sunscreens in mainstream cosmetics.

Nourish Yourself, Nurture the Future

Every ingredient, every choice, and every small change matters — not just for our own skin, but for our health, our families, and the world we share. At Solomé, we believe that clean beauty is more than a trend; it’s a way to honor yourself, your body, and the generations to come.

Choosing natural, thoughtful, and transparent products is a simple act of care — a gentle reminder that wellness and beauty can coexist in harmony. Let this be your invitation to slow down, embrace the rituals that nourish both body and soul, and step into each day with hope, renewal, and a sense of peace.

Because when we care for ourselves consciously, we create ripples of wellbeing that extend far beyond the mirror.