How to Choose Sustainable Makeup Remover

As a pivotal part of many’s nightly routine, makeup remover shouldn’t contain harsh or cheap chemicals that harm your face or the aquatic life they’ll reach once it’s washed down the drain. Avoid products with synthetic fragrances, parabens and sulfates and look out for Leaping Bunny ot EWG certifications. Makeup remover typically comes in plastic packaging, so if you really want to minimize your environmental impact, find makeup remover bars to eliminate unnecessary waste. 

Ingredients

Synthetic Fragrances

The most elusive ingredient of all might be fragrances. That’s because fragrances are protected from disclosure. While “fragrance” might appear to be one ingredient on the label, that word could potentially comprise hundreds of chemical compounds just for one scent! It’s not the scent that worries us, but phthalates, which enable fragrances to become soluble. They are known endocrine disruptors in both humans and aquatic life and can even lower the production of testosterone. Studies have found that prenatal exposure to phthalates can decrease mental and motor development in children. Our advice is to protect yourself from unnecessary harm and look for makeup removers that are fragrance-free and phthalate-free. 

Parabens

Parabens are cheap preservatives that are used to prevent the growth of mold and harmful bacteria. They have been associated with endocrine disruption in humans, and certain kinds can kill coral, even at low levels of exposure. After a 2004 study concluded that the presence of parabens may spur the growth of breast cancer cells, public backlash led some cosmetic companies to start removing parabens from their products. However, additional studies of the effect of parabens on our health have proved inconclusive, and the FDA currently approves the use of parabens in cosmetic products. Still, we recommend avoiding them (and luckily many great makeup removers are paraben-free). 

Sulfates

Sulfates, like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), are emulsifying cleaning agents used to break down and wash away the dirt and grime that water can’t get rid of on its own. They also happen to be highly toxic threats to aquatic life, from algae to frogs to fish. Although there is some debate on sulfates, the World Health Organization (WHO) unequivocally states that SLS “...is toxic to aquatic organisms. It is strongly advised not to let the chemical enter into the environment.” Take our advice, and the WHO’s, and try to avoid makeup removers that contain these harmful ingredients.

Packaging

In most cases, all those ingredients are bundled up and shipped in—you guessed it— plastic bottles. More single-use plastic bottles inevitably mean more plastic waste; EPA records show our plastic consumption goes up nearly every year and almost 70% of that plastic ends up in landfills. If your makeup remover comes in a plastic bottle, try reducing plastic waste by buying larger volume bottles and checking the label at the bottom to learn how it can be recycled. Or, switch to a makeup remover bar to avoid those hefty plastic bottles.

Certifications

Here are some certifications to look for when shopping this category.

‍