Making
Cosmetics Safer:
7 Easy Things
Every Woman
Can Do! It's hard to ignore the headlines – that somehow won't go away. The safety of cosmetics and personal care items seems to be challenged at almost every turn.On the one side are environmentalists who contend the chemicals in commonly used cosmetics are toxic brew that set women up for a number of serious health concerns – including breast cancer. “We must focus on prevention by demanding safer products, reducing our exposure to chemical and urging our policymakers to ban cancer-causing chemicals in everyday products,” says Sarah McCormick, author of “ No Family History”, a poigment and well researched guide that links the rise in breast cancer to the subsequent rise of chemical use in personal care products. At the same time, the cosmetic industry and even the FDA contend product ingredeints are safe – and not likely to cause us any harm. According to FDA spokesperson Stephanie Kwisnek, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, " Requires that cosmetics marketed in interstate commerce be safe when used as directed in the labeling or under usual customary conditions of use." So in this respect, the FDA is looking out for your health.
The cosmetic industry further assures us of safety with what they refer to as “internal policing' which includes the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board, an industry -funded organization that oversees cosmetic ingredients with public safety in mind. Results of their findings are published in peer review journals.Moreover, another organization known as the Natural Beauty Products Association has recently initiated a certification label they offer to any product manufacturer who meets strict standards regarding the type of ingredients used in their products, with an eye towards both natural compounds and safety. . However, author and activist Stacy Malkan takes a tough stance on the idea of inter-industry regulation and doesn't believe it does the consumer much good. “The bottom line is they don't have to answer to anyone but themselves," says Malkin, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and author of Not Just a Pretty Face ( New Society Publishers). So, where does the truth – and the safety – really lie? When you get right down to it, it may, in fact, be the very defintion of safety itself that draws the battles lines between these two points of view. Indeed, while even the cosmetic industry does not deny the presence of some chemicals with a harmful profile, they maintain that in the levels found in most personal care products there is no evidence of either long or short term harm. Environmentalists contend that poison, even in tiny amounts, is poison we don't need to consume. And globally, a big win came for this point view in 2004, when the European Union put into effect a directive banning the use of all chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutations or birth defects, in cosmetic or personal care formulations sold in those countries . Although the US has yet to take such bold steps, an environmental based initiative is hoping to fill in the gap. Known as the Compact For Safe Cosmetics, it provides companies the opportunity to make a voluntary pledge to follow the European Union's lead by elminating the use of these same key chemicals in their products. [9] To date, some 600 companies have signed the pledge, and made the promise, giving consumers a wide range of choices among products that may possibly be safer to use. [9] These include such major companies as Belli Cosmetics, and Motherlove (for pregnant women), Burt's Bees, Aubrey Organics, Afterglow Cosmetics and many more. In addition, there are things that every woman can do to make a difference in her own personal make up bag.
The cosmetic industry further assures us of safety with what they refer to as “internal policing' which includes the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board, an industry -funded organization that oversees cosmetic ingredients with public safety in mind. Results of their findings are published in peer review journals.Moreover, another organization known as the Natural Beauty Products Association has recently initiated a certification label they offer to any product manufacturer who meets strict standards regarding the type of ingredients used in their products, with an eye towards both natural compounds and safety. . However, author and activist Stacy Malkan takes a tough stance on the idea of inter-industry regulation and doesn't believe it does the consumer much good. “The bottom line is they don't have to answer to anyone but themselves," says Malkin, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and author of Not Just a Pretty Face ( New Society Publishers). So, where does the truth – and the safety – really lie? When you get right down to it, it may, in fact, be the very defintion of safety itself that draws the battles lines between these two points of view. Indeed, while even the cosmetic industry does not deny the presence of some chemicals with a harmful profile, they maintain that in the levels found in most personal care products there is no evidence of either long or short term harm. Environmentalists contend that poison, even in tiny amounts, is poison we don't need to consume. And globally, a big win came for this point view in 2004, when the European Union put into effect a directive banning the use of all chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutations or birth defects, in cosmetic or personal care formulations sold in those countries . Although the US has yet to take such bold steps, an environmental based initiative is hoping to fill in the gap. Known as the Compact For Safe Cosmetics, it provides companies the opportunity to make a voluntary pledge to follow the European Union's lead by elminating the use of these same key chemicals in their products. [9] To date, some 600 companies have signed the pledge, and made the promise, giving consumers a wide range of choices among products that may possibly be safer to use. [9] These include such major companies as Belli Cosmetics, and Motherlove (for pregnant women), Burt's Bees, Aubrey Organics, Afterglow Cosmetics and many more. In addition, there are things that every woman can do to make a difference in her own personal make up bag.
Here are 7 tips for safer cosmetic and personal care use.
1. When choosing personal care products remember that simpler is better. This means not only actively looking for products with fewer chemical ingredients (choose soap instead of shower gel, or moisturizers without fragrance), but also using fewer products overall.
2. Think about how necessary a product is before you use it – for example, bubble bath for your baby, or for yourself. If you can do without it – do without it.
3. Use your nose as a guide: If a product has a chemical-like odor think twice about using it- or where you will apply it.
4. Buy from companies that demonstrate recognition of the problems –and a concern to make things better. Think twice about purchasing from a company that sends the message that "little bit of poison" won't harm you.
5. Visit product websites and search out the full monty on ingredients – many of them will offer more disclosure there then on the label. If you still want to know more email them and ask.
Visit www.CosmeticsDataBase.com for an up-to-date cross reference of over 22,000 cosmetics and a rating of their chemical ingredients.
6. Whenever possible seek out products from companies that have signed the "Compact for Safe Cosmetics" pledge . Visit: http://www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm
7. Get the FREE CD report from Vassar College on environmental links to breast cancer – including the role of cosmetics and personal care products. www.ERBC.Vassar.edu
1. When choosing personal care products remember that simpler is better. This means not only actively looking for products with fewer chemical ingredients (choose soap instead of shower gel, or moisturizers without fragrance), but also using fewer products overall.
2. Think about how necessary a product is before you use it – for example, bubble bath for your baby, or for yourself. If you can do without it – do without it.
3. Use your nose as a guide: If a product has a chemical-like odor think twice about using it- or where you will apply it.
4. Buy from companies that demonstrate recognition of the problems –and a concern to make things better. Think twice about purchasing from a company that sends the message that "little bit of poison" won't harm you.
5. Visit product websites and search out the full monty on ingredients – many of them will offer more disclosure there then on the label. If you still want to know more email them and ask.
Visit www.CosmeticsDataBase.com for an up-to-date cross reference of over 22,000 cosmetics and a rating of their chemical ingredients.
6. Whenever possible seek out products from companies that have signed the "Compact for Safe Cosmetics" pledge . Visit: http://www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm
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