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The Facts |
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The Case Against Chemicals in Cosmetics (powerpoint show) Popular Brands -- How do they match up? What you should know about some common chemicals used in personal care products What's race got to do with it? 12 Ugly Truths Behind the Myths of Cosmetic Safety "Studies show that, on average, women use nine mass-market personal care products each day, containing a total of 126 unique chemicals. Toxicologist Dr Peter Dingle says, "Although companies assure us that the chemicals known to be toxic are in amounts too small to cause harm, no one knows what their long-term, cumulative effects will be. What's more, we don't know how toxic these substances are when combined with other ingredients in the product." |
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"Hand cream, lotion, shampoo, soap and deodorant aren't just potentially dangerous when accidentally swallowed by curious toddlers. Researchers have found that dangers also work from the outside in. The most recent study found that diethanolamine (DEA), used in skin lotion, shampoo and sunscreen, may inhibit brain development in baby mice when applied to the skin of their pregnant moms, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina.Individually, most ingredients are fairly benign. But adults use an average of 10 products daily, according to the Environmental Working Group, and risk increases with exposures. DEA is just the latest entry drawing suspicion. Some consumers and advocacy groups still wonder whether parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben), the most widely used preservatives in cosmetic products, are really safe.Though the FDA says yes, it was an industry-sponsored organization that reviewed the data on parabens in 1984 and 2005. Both times the review board concluded that they were safe for use in cosmetic products at levels up to 25 percent. Typically parabens are used at levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.3 percent. But the issue hasn't died, because studies have detected parabens in breast tumors, and researchers are looking at the estrogen-like properties of parabens and the influence of estrogen on breast cancer. " Chicago Tribune August 13, 2006 |
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This website is a collaborative group project by Stefanie Skyes-Allen, Asako Suzuki and Neha Shah to promote consumer and general awareness about cosmetics. For comments or further information, contact email@email.com |
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