It’s no secret that the beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar business. However, what is often unknown to consumers is the number of toxic chemicals in personal care products and cosmetics.
While we all want to look and feel our best, using products laden with toxic chemicals will only do more harm than good in the long run. That’s why it’s crucial that Congress pass the Toxic Free Beauty Act of 2021.
What Is the Toxic Free Beauty Act?
The Toxic Free Beauty Act of 2021 is a bill that would ban the most toxic chemicals in beauty products. This bill is highly needed because it would protect consumers from harmful ingredients, increase transparency in the beauty industry, and create safer products.
If this bill becomes law, it would be a major victory in the fight for safer cosmetics. These harmful chemicals can be found in everything from shampoo to lipstick, and they are linked to a number of health concerns like cancer, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption.
Why Are Harmful Chemicals Still Being Used In Beauty Products?
So why are these toxic chemicals still being used in beauty products? Well, the answer is simple: because they’re cheaper. But just because something is more affordable, doesn’t make it right.
We need to demand better from the beauty industry. We need to demand that they put our safety first and stop using toxic chemicals in their products. And we can do that by passing the Toxic Free Beauty Act of 2021!
Why Is the Toxic Free Beauty Act of 2021 Important?
This bill is important for two reasons: first, it will help protect consumers from the harmful effects of these chemicals. Second, it will send a message to the beauty industry that toxic chemicals are not acceptable.
We need to step up and insist that our personal care products and cosmetics are safe. We deserve to know what is in the products we use, and we should be able to trust that they won’t harm our health. The Toxic Free Beauty Act will help ensure that these products are secure for us to use, and is an important step forward in the fight for toxic free beauty.
What Will Be Banned?
Several chemicals of concern would be banned under the Toxic Free Beauty Act. Excluding the most flawed first, the bill would prohibit the use of (1):
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
- Formaldehyde
- Paraformaldehyde
- Methylene glycol
- Quaternium-15
- Mercury
- Isobutylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- m-Phenylenediamine and its salts
- o-Phenylenediamine and its salts
- The entire class of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Products possessing any of these forbidden chemicals would be deemed adulterated by the FDA.ii, and companies would have to reformulate their products and ingredients.
The products above are already prohibited in the European Union, Australia, and many other countries. The United States should follow suit and put the health of its citizens above the profits of the beauty industry.
Harmful chemicals like those listed above have no place in our personal care products and cosmetics. It’s time for Congress to pass the Toxic Free Beauty Act and help protect the health of American consumers!
Chemicals of Concern
In addition to those listed above, there are a number of other chemicals of concern that are commonly found in personal care products and cosmetics. These chemicals have been linked to health problems like cancer, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and developmental toxicity, amongst many others.
For a full overview of the health effects of these chemicals, check out our website, Safe Cosmetics. Here, we provide you with an opportunity to learn about a few of the top ingredients and contaminants to avoid, based on the science linking each to adverse health impacts, and the types of products they’re found in.
You can also use our Red List, which provides quick guides to avoid chemicals of concern in each product category: shampoo, conditioner, creams, sunscreen, color cosmetics, hair color and skin lighteners.
How Can You Help?
The best thing you can do to help is urge your representatives in Congress to support this bill. You can do this by visiting the BCPP website and sending a letter in support.
It’s time to take action and demand change! Support the Toxic Free Beauty Act by visiting https://www.bcpp.org/take-action/support-the-safer-beauty-bill-package/ to send a letter in aid of this critical bill.
Together, we can make a difference and create a safer, healthier world for ourselves and our families. Remember, we have the power to demand change, especially when it comes to the products we use every day. Harmful chemicals have no place in our personal care products or cosmetics.
Join the fight for toxic free beauty today!
