Demand Higher Quality and Safer Beauty and Hygiene Products
Set the phrase, “No Pain, No Gain” straight! There is absolutely no need to sacrifice your health and well being for beauty. I recently walked into a couples shared bathroom, and to my horror saw the whole sink counter cluttered with women’s beauty and men’s hygiene essentials. All of those products have a variety of chemicals we must avoid. According to the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics, a red flag should pop up when you see triclosan, synthetic musks, formaldehyde, nitrosamines, lead, parabens, phthalates, hydroguinone, and 1,4-dioxane listed within the ingredients of your product(s).
Every single day we come into contact with a variety of substances and many of us forget to stop and think about what exactly our body is consuming. In a recent news release on July 21st, “representatives Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., introduced the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, which gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to ensure that personal care products are free of harmful ingredients” (Environmental Working Group). A seven-minute video, “The Story of Cosmetics,” was released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, produced by Annie Leonard and Free Range Graphics whom crafted a powerful and eye awakening glimpse into the truth about the world of cosmetics. You can also see the video here at: The Story of Cosmetics as well as visit their website, Campaign for Safer Cosmetics and be proactive in the fight to create safer and healthier products for each and every one of us.
“From lipstick to lotion, our medicine cabinets are filled with cosmetics that may contain potentially dangerous chemicals. This important bill closes a gaping hole in our Federal laws that allows potentially dangerous chemicals to remain in the cosmetic products we use everyday,” says Representative Markey. As of March 17, 2010 over a thousand companies have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics (ranging from 100% Pure, known for their fruit pigmented cosmetics to Zuii Organic, who use certified organic flower petals, whose products and information can be found in Skin Deep’s database. Skin Deep debuted in 2004 and stands proud to be “an online safety guide for cosmetics and personal care products.” Check out Skin Deep and type in a product, ingredient, or a company to find out how harmful/safe a product is, the hazardous level of a company and more information about the hidden ingredients within your products.
When it comes to your health, there should be no pain involved. The only pain that exists is the one many of us suffer, from constant use of products that deteriorate our body and overall health. Our government has sat far too long out in the sidelines and it’s time for it to get up and play the role of protecting us from harmful toxins. The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 “recognizes that consumers have a right to safe personal care products, that companies have a responsibility to understand the health effects of the chemicals in their products, and that we need government to help us get there,” says Janet Nudelman of the Breast Cancer Fund and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.” Don’t be a guinea pig for a company, take a stand to protect your body, do your research, and be a part of the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics!
Also, coming soon is an interview with 100% Pure Founder and Chief Creative Ambassador, Susie Wang!
