Cosmetics
Most people assume cosmetics and personal care products are tested for safety before they land on store shelves. But the truth is that companies legally put chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm in the products we use every day. A shocking number of dangerous chemicals hide in personal care products and cosmetics under the word “fragrance.”
Certain products with toxic ingredients are used in greater quantities by people of color, resulting in a disproportionate impact. Products like skin lighteners, hair relaxers, and acrylic nails are often marketed to people of color or applied to customers by people of color and contain some of the most worrisome ingredients in cosmetics.
States have fought hard over the last two decades to increase requirements for companies to disclose ingredients in personal care products. While there are state and NGO databases that allow consumers to look up products, these databases don’t have the full information about ingredients due to loopholes in federal law allowing companies to conceal some ingredients. Therefore we need stronger laws that require disclosure of all ingredients.
States are also pursuing policies to eliminate ingredients from personal care products that can harm human health. Washington, Oregon, and Vermont passed laws to eliminate harmful chemicals from cosmetics. Washington’s law will also support the transition to safer products by identifying safer chemicals and providing support to small businesses. Several states have also eliminated PFAS from cosmetics.
Learn more about the harmful chemicals in personal care products and cosmetics from our friends at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Menstrual Products
Many of today’s menstrual and intimate care products contain a host of chemicals linked to cancer, disrupt hormones, and unnecessary allergic reactions. These products, including tampons and pads, are not required to disclose their ingredients to the public nor does the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) require manufacturers to test their products for harmful chemicals.
Vermont eliminated PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde, lead and other harmful chemicals from menstrual and other intimate care products. Several other states have also restricted PFAS from menstrual products.
Learn more about toxic chemicals in menstrual products from our colleagues at Women’s Voices for the Earth.
