Beauty & Style
advertisement
16comments

Social Activism & Cosmetics

Social Activism & Cosmetics

January 21, 2009 Written by Lauren Johanson

As part of this week’s focus on social activism, today’s issue of Wellness & Beauty is about how to help make cosmetics safer. If you don’t know much about the dangers of commercial cosmetics, this might sound like a strange call to action. So here’s a quick review of common personal care ingredients that are known, or suspected to be, toxic:

  • Mercury (often listed as “thimerosal”): possible human carcinogen and reproductive toxin. Found in some eye drops, ointments & mascaras.
  • Placenta: Produces progesterone, estrogen and other hormones that can interfere with the body’s normal hormone functions and can lead to health problems like breast cancer. Found in some hair relaxers, moisturizers and toners.
  • Lead Acetate: Known human reproductive and developmental toxin. Found in some hair dyes and cleansers.
  • Petrochemicals (petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin): May contain human carcinogens, as well as 1,4-Dioxane (which is not listed on ingredient labels). Found in some hair relaxers, anti-aging creams, foundation, lipsticks and more.
  • Phthalates (such as dibutyl and diethylhexyl): Probable developmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. Found in some nail polishes, hair sprays and fragrances (which are then used in most other products like soaps, shampoos, etc.).

And here’s the logic for why you should care:

  • The Government should be protecting us, but they’re not. The loopholes in federal law prevent the FDA from governing cosmetic safety. For example, the EU has banned 1,100 chemicals in cosmetics; the US has banned just 10.
  • The beauty industry certainly isn’t. The $50-billion cosmetic industry lobbies AGAINST laws that would regulate chemical content.
  • Therefore, we have to be informed and protect ourselves.

(Information from “Unmasked: 10 Ugly Truths Behind the Myth of Cosmetics Safety”. You can download full brochure here.)

.

If this issue compels you to act, here are the ways that you can get involved:

  • Get Educated: Sign up for the latest news on cosmetic safety via www.safecosmetics.org/join. And read “Want to learn more?” below.
  • Get Shopping: The easiest thing to do is download the pocket size “Shopper’s Guide to Safe Cosmetics” and stick it in your wallet. Or you can browse the full Cosmetic Database here.
  • Get Active: Tell your cosmetic companies that you want safer products. Each month The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics posts a new “Action Alert” where you can easily send a message to companies or agencies. This month “Ask Bath and Body Works to offer non-toxic kids body wash“
  • Get Vocal: Talk to your friends about this issue. Download talking points here.
  • Get Creative: Have fun making your own natural cosmetics. Click here to view DIY recipes. Or sign-up for one of my DIY skin care workshops right here in LA. If you’re interested, email me: Lauren@yourdailythread.com.

Want to learn more? The easiest way to learn more is to visit www.safecosmetics.org. You can also get a more in-depth analysis by reading “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry” by Stacy Malkan, the co-founder of The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. I am actually reading a signed copy of the book this month and will be bringing you a “book report” soon.

How did I get a signed copy of “Not Just a Pretty Face”? Tracy and I were lucky to meet the author, Stacy Malkan, at last year’s “Beauty and Sustainability” event hosted by Opportunity Green at Lululemon in Beverly Hills. Stacy was a speaker on the panel discussion hosted by Rachelle Carson (actress & wife of “Green Guru” Ed Begley Jr.) and joined by Renata Helfman (owner of Vert, eco-friendly beauty boutique in Venice). The panel was preceded by complementary mini-facials from Jurlique, eyebrow shaping from Jenny Wax, mini-manicures, organic hors d’oeuvres, fine wines, gift bags and more. This event is just one example of the many events that go on all the time in L.A. They are generally open to the public and are a great way to meet people and learn more about sustainability. I believe that activism requires knowledge of the issue, passion for change, and the willingness to get involved. So, go on and get out there. You can learn about a slue of upcoming events at the ydt Events Calendar.

Email article
Tags: , , , ,

Related Articles

Comments

Kristen

I went back east for the Holidays and took a shower at my friends house. I was curiously reading the ingredients on her body wash and it was sulfate this and paraben that. I was literally shocked. But I didn’t know how to talk to her about this without sounding pompous? Any suggestions?

Kristen

Oh, also, I was curious about what to do with the junky old cosmetics, etc. that I have hidden under my sink? You shouldn’t just throw it out right? What is the right thing to do?

Lauren@ydt

Hi Kristen,

Thanks for your comments. I’ll have to think about how best to talk to your friend. That is always a tough and very personal. In regards to you second question, you can reference Tracy’s post in the beat, which I have pasted below. I will also contact Julie at No Wire Hangers to see what her thoughts are.
—————

Fulfilling My New Year’s Resolutions: Did I do the Right Thing?
Posted by Tracy Hepler on 1/6/09

Last week I embarked on my yearly New Year’s cleaning and organizing. This year was much different than years past because I’ve become more aware of the impact of my “stuff”. One of the project I undertook was to get rid of all my chemical laden cosmetics so that I am no longer putting parabens and other petro chemicals on my body. The problem I encountered is what to do once I got rid of them. You can’t put them down the sink because it gets into the water supply, and throwing them away in a landfill basically does the same. I contacted Julie Naylon of No Wire Hangers who is really knowlegable about this kind of stuff. She referred me to a place in Downtown called House of Ruth. It’s a shelter for battered and homeless women and children that will accept semi used beauty products (in addition to clothes, blankets, and other personal goods). I had a tough time deciding what to do, but ultimately I felt that the shelter probably isn’t purchasing chemical free products at this point and they are in need of donations. I don’t want to use these products anymore because of the harm they cause, but at the same time I felt that throwing them away would be worse for everyone than donating them to people in need. Still, I’m not 100% sure I did the right thing.

Julie Naylon

“Oh, also, I was curious about what to do with the junky old cosmetics, etc. that I have hidden under my sink? You shouldn’t just throw it out right? What is the right thing to do?”

Hi,
If they are too used and junky unfortunately the only place for them is in the garbage. I know that some cosmetic company’s like MAC, take back old containers. I would check with the manufacturer to see if the have a recycling program. Also check with local shelters and missions in your area to see if they will take donations of this sort. I believe its better to have someone in need use it then just to have to go to waste in a landfill. Hope this helps.
Julie Naylon-No Wire Hangers
http://www.nowirehangersbiz.com

Your Daily Thread | A Shade of a Different, Non Toxic, Color

[...] our hair dyes, nail polishes and even lipsticks. There are resources out there that can educate and help us, but as the individual consumers it is important to be aware of the ingredients and toxins you [...]

Your Daily Thread | What do Love Potions and Green Beacons have in Common?

[...] important to seek out more natural cosmetics that are good for your body and the Earth. Learn more here. Plus, if you make your own products, you can save on unnecessary [...]

Your Daily Thread | Recess Nail Salon: A Natural Treat For Your Hands and Feet!

[...] on your nails?  It’s because the substances they use (polish, acrylic, acetone, etc.) are toxic.  So if they have to wear masks to put it on you, what does that mean for you, day in and day out [...]

Local Gem Arcona: Authentic, Natural Skin Care that Works | Your Daily Thread – YDT

[...] addition, the line is free of parabens, chemical stabilizers, sodium lauryl sulphates, fragrance and [...]

SOMA GET FIT. | BLOG » Blog Archive » Local Gem Arcona: Skin Care that Works

[...] addition, the line is free of parabens, chemical stabilizers, sodium lauryl sulphates, fragrance and [...]

bigfatdudendude

Hello People,

Looking for advice about which are the cheapest tooth whitening products to buy?

It can be hard to source the correct information as far as I can see. this place tells you one thing and another place tells you something completely different!
And, I thought the easiest thing to do is get practical advice from you people as you might personal experience about this area.

All feedback would be very appreciated.

Thanks in advance guys.

Green Boot Camp Day 19: Green Your Skin Care Routine | Your Daily Thread – YDT

[...] “What Does Social Activism have to do with Cosmetics?” [...]

Kelly Robertson

If you have unused or old/expired personal care products you should always take them to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event like ones put on by Los Angeles Sanitation District http://www.lacsd.org/info/hhw_e_waste/default.asp. NEVER throw liquids to the landfill especially if you suspect they are hazardous.
-Kelly (San Diego HazMat)

The Story of Cosmetics | Your Daily Thread – YDT

[...] What Does Social Activism Have to Do With Cosmetics [...]

Irraweersvoke

As we all realize Internet nowadays it is really important to get your web site listed really high on search engines. It is all about pozycjonowanie stron. Do you know any tricks to get number one position?
BTW if you could boost me searching some good kredyt mieszkaniowy offer that would be great.

ShoubyShuro

=

Mercedes Loeser

I really like your info. Thank you, have a nice day!

Login or Sign Up to post a comment.