It is very important to choose healthy makeup. Not all makeup is necessarily healthy. They can contain ingredients that can result in everything from skin irritations to more severe problems. Knowing how to choose healthy makeup can protect you while it beautifies you. 1. Know and avoid the main "bad" ingredients in order to choose healthy makeup. Read the ingredients labels on makeup before choosing them. The ingredients that are most often reported (including the Spring 2008 issue of Green Guide, About.com) as being harmful include talc, DEA, TEA, PPD, and MEA. The list also includes formaldehyde, hydroquinone, nanoparticles, mercury, lead, 1,4 Dioxane, Blue 1, Green 3, antibacterials, parabens, and patroleum distillates. 2. Avoid being misled by words like "natural" that may not mean that all of the ingredients in the cosmetic are natural. 3. Choose brands that adhere to independent certifications or that are "green" or "organic." Some cosmetic lines adhere to certifications that help to ensure their health. According to Green Guide (Spring 2008 issue), lines such as Physician's Formula, Nvey Eco, Suki Color, and Dr. Hauschka offer cosmetics that have been certified by independent agencies. Other lines do the same thing. Some makeup lines have signed the "Compact for Safe Cosmetics." The list can be seen at Safecosmetics.org. The link for that site is in the "Additional Resources" section. Source: ehow.com