Are those beetles on my lashes?

When purchasing makeup we very rarely read the ingredients. We look at the color to see if it will match our skin tone, bring out our eye color and create luscious red lips. The last place we would ever think to find bugs is in our makeup, however recent news shows that it is actually one of the many places that bugs are part of the ingredients.

The color of makeup that is not vegan certified can potentially be created by crushed up dried bugs. According to online article, http://www.veganbeautyreview.com/2011/01/bugs-in-cosmetics.html, “These little critters are commercially harvested in Africa, Spain and Central America—to have their bodies dried and crushed for red coloring.” Not sure if your cosmetics are filled with crushed bugs? If any of the ingredients list cochineal extract, carmine, crimson lake, natural red 4, C.I. 75470, and E120 are all derived from crushed insects.

Cochineal Beetles are used for their red coloring and once dead they use it for dyes. These bugs are collected off of cacti, dried and then ground into a fine powder which is then placed in not only makeup but food as well. The reason has nothing to do with taste or nutritional value but is merely used to create a deeper red color.

So how do companies get away with using beetles? They have no legal obligation to tell consumers that beetles are on your lips and in your stomach. When you look at ingredients it is hidden by certain names that are nothing like the word BEETLE. Not only is it disgusting that bugs are in many products but health wise it is extremely harmful. People have been known to have allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock, rashes, rapid heartbeat and swelling due to the “natural” food coloring of beetles.

How should you protect yourself and your family? It’s simple, purchasing products such as Arbonne ensure that you are placing Vegan-certified, pure and safe products on and in your body. Arbonne never tests formulas on animals nor do any contain animal- derived ingredients or animal by-products. It is our right to know what we place on our bodies and what we ingest. Arbonne supports this notion by sharing every ingredient in their products. To read more about safe products visit www nisbett.myarbonne.com

What products have you used today that contains red pigment?