You know that makeup is used to improve the looks of a person. But do you know that makeup will actually make your skin worse in the long run? Makeup has many negative effects that those who wear it need to be aware of.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics states that there are many health risks to wearing makeup. Women who wear makeup on a daily basis are adding as much as five pounds of chemicals into their bodies each year. Health experts have done studies, and the chemicals found in makeup have caused skin problems, eye infections, and even cancer. Another study done by the British Skin Foundation says that the average women applies 175 chemicals on her face every day, and many of these chemicals have been connected to hormonal problems, skin problems, as well as cancer.

But how does this happen? According to The Organic Salon, Richard Bence, a biochemist who has been studying makeup, says, “If lipstick gets into your mouth, it is broken down by the enzymes in saliva and in the stomach. But if the chemicals get straight into your bloodstream, there is no protection.” On top of this, The Royal College of Optometrists held a survey that showed that 9 out of 10 women use outdated makeup, and 1 out of 4 of these women are putting their health and looks in danger by doing this.

Bushra Kahn, writer for Times of India, states that sleeping with makeup on can cause premature aging of up to seven years. You can also get eye infections because of the mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow rubbing into your eyes. Even though mascara might make your eyelashes full and thick during the day, sleeping with it can thin out and dry out your lashes. If you have sensitive skin, wearing makeup can cause acne or even dry out your skin.

On top of the health risks, society sometimes has a negative view for women who wear makeup. According to Nancy Etcoff, who was interviewd by ABC News, studies show that women who wear makeup are “more competent, likable, attractive, and trustworthy.” However, dramatic makeup on women brought up a different state of mind. “When they [women] got to the more dramatic makeup looks, people saw them equally likable and much more attractive, but less trustworthy.”

Women might want to reconsider this public perception as well as all of the toxins they are applying on their faces and the health risks they are willing to take just to look good for the day.