Like many teenage girls, sophomore Emma Remish has been wearing makeup lightly since junior high and then more heavily and frequently in high school. Remish who wears makeup almost daily said she realizes the effects of her frequent cosmetic use.

“The products that cause the most damage on my face are foundations because it goes everywhere, and you can find a lot of harsh chemicals in a lot of foundations, which can cause you to break out all over your face,” Remish said.

According to Reshma Nair Haugen, clinical assistant professor in the division of dermatology at NorthShore University HealthSystem, makeup can cause allergic contact dermatitis, a skin rash from irritants such as the chemicals commonly found in makeup products.

Perry Romanowski, cosmetic chemist and vice president of Element 44 Inc., said the harmful effects of makeup stop there. Contrary to many makeup myths found online and in the media, there are no ingredients proven to be carcinogens, or substances proven to be capable of causing cancer, at the levels used in cosmetics.

“Cosmetics are safety tested before being put on the market,” said Romanowski. “The ingredients have been tested for potential carcinogenicity and ingredients that can cause problems are not used.”

Romanowski said ingredients that produce allergic reactions are avoided, and lists of ingredients for all the materials used in cosmetics are also available online or on labels so that people who have known allergies can avoid problematic ingredients.

Many studies posted online say different things in regards to cosmetic carcinogenicity and  harm. An experiment conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found traces of lead in 20 of the 33 lipsticks tested.

According to Romanowski, groups like the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics do not run scientific studies and are often more concerned with publishing studies that will generate more donations for their group.

“As far as trace lead levels in the majority of lipstick, this work was done by the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration], and it’s true that lead has been detected in cosmetics,” said Romanowski. “But the levels are low and not considered dangerous by toxicologists. Also, the lead is tied up with other molecules [so] that it is not bioavailable. This means the body is unable to digest it, so any tiny amount that may be ingested passes right through the body without affecting people.”

Remish said she has never worried too much about lead traces in lipstick because she researches the level of lead in the product and if it has been deemed safe to use before buying it.

While students like Remish are more aware of the possible risks regarding the frequent use of makeup, it is likely that many other students are not aware of misleading media claims such as those of the lipstick industry.

To prevent concernable effects of makeup, Haugen said one should always look for makeup that is oil-free or non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog pores. If the product label does not say the product is oil-free or non-comedogenic, one should use caution.

According to Remish, aside from the risks and issues involving cosmetics, those who use makeup also have to keep in mind factors such as time and expenses.

“You have to think about if it’s really worth it,” said Remish. “If you really like a product but it’s expensive, or it takes a lot of time to apply, you have to think, ‘Will I feel better in the end? Will it be worth all the effort?’”