The Story of Cosmetics

Does Revlon Care?

Do you use Revlon or have used them?  Here is a report from safecosmetics.org on what really you are giving them your money for.   Revlon

Revlon markets itself as a company that cares about women and cancer, yet it uses toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other diseases in its products. Our recent survey of Revlon products revealed numerous toxic chemicals—including parabens and chemicals that release the carcinogen formaldehyde—in mascaras, face creams, hair dyes and other products. The Breast Cancer Fund and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics teamed up with our friends at UltraViolet to launch a campaign demanding that Revlon stop using toxic chemicals in its makeup and hair dye. More than 45,000 people have weighed in so far. Take action! Write to Revlon’s Chairman and CEO Revlon responded by threatening us with legal action. Our message to Revlon is that no amount of bullying is going to make us stop advocating on behalf of the millions of people who want and deserve safe cosmetics. At a time when Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Target and Walmart are cleaning up the beauty aisle by eliminating toxic chemicals, Revlon is like a dinosaur frozen in time in a changing world. We’re demanding that Revlon: •    Develop a comprehensive “safe cosmetics policy” to protect women from chemicals linked to cancer and other adverse health effects. •    Support federal cosmetics safety legislation. •    Share the Revlon product safety policy publicly on the company’s website. Sign up to Occupy Beauty Read Revlon’s letter threatening legal action, along with our responses View the product survey results TAKE ACTION by posting this graphic on Revlon's Facebook page and sending the company a public message on Twitter. Check out our infographic detailing some of the toxic chemicals in Revlon products and the serious health concerns they are linked to. Share it on Facebook and Twitter to educate your community and put pressure on Revlon to clean up its act.

126 Toxic Chemicals Used On our Bodies Everyday

The average adult uses 9 personal care products daily
exposing them to 126 toxic chemicals EVERY DAY?!

A majority of the products we use on our body have harsh chemicals that not only irritates our skin but can also ...

                            * irritate our lungs
                            * disrupt our hormones
                            * change the genetic make-up of unborn baby boys
                            * deplete the sperm motility in men
                            * even actually alter our hormones (proven in a study of teen girls)                                    * and worst case, causes cancer It's very scary, not just for us but even more so for the children who absorb things faster into their skin.  Ever wonder why there are so many children now with ADHD, ADD, Asthma, Allergies, and more?  Could it be related?  Do you want to take that chance?

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Below is a list of ingredients commonly found in a lot of our skin care products
- from lotions, shampoos, hand soap, & toothpaste.  These ingredients should be avoided at all costs.
What they can do to your body is listed next to the name.Remember... just because it says natural on their packaging
doesn't mean they didn't add any of the ingredients below.
Please, just READ YOUR LABELS!!!!

Here's a quick list of some of the main chemical ingredients to avoid:Sodium/Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Parabens - all types ending with paraben

Propylene Glycol

Phthalates

Petrolatum (Petroleum, Mineral Oil, Parrafin)

Cocamide DEA/Lauramide DEA

Diazolidinyl Urea

Butyl Acetate

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Ethyl Acetate

Toluene (Toluol, Methylbenzene, phenylmethane)

Triclosan

Triethanolamine (TEA)

Hydroquinone

Glycolic Acid

Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)

Sodium Nitrate

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)

PABA

Lactic Acid

Padimate-O

source: http://naturalbeautyandspa.weebly.com/toxic-chemicals-to-stay-away-from.html

The truth about SLS found in most body care products

Sodium/Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a foaming agent used in soaps, shampoos and toothpaste, among many other types of products. This popular, yet dangerous, chemical is a proven skin irritant that has known mutagenic effects on humans. 90% of all products that foam contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, so you will undoubtedly see it listed in many of your commonly-used household products.

Did you know that SLS is also used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers? It’s a preferred drain-cleaner and pipeline cleaner, as well. The MSDS Sheets for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate claims, SEVERE OVER-EXPOSURE CAN RESULT IN DEATH AND HAZARDOUS IN CASE OF SKIN CONTACT.
Parabens are preservatives that are most-commonly used in cosmetic and skincare products and have

been detected in breast tumors. The most common parabens used in cosmetic or skincare products are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben. Parabens are xenoestrogens, meaning that they mimic estrogen production, hence their close relationship to breast cancer and other endocrine-disrupting diseases.

If you use mineral make-up (from the ever popular infomercial), read your ingredients labels ladies!  You'll be shocked to see that parabens are sometimes included in their "natural" make-up.  So be sure to seek out mineral make-up companies that are truly pure, truly natural, and even organic. Avoid cornstarch in the make-up while you are at it.  Ask for a full list of ingredients everytime.

Propylene Glycol, a common ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, lotions , baby wipes, and most other skin/hair care products is a listed toxin with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Propylene Glycol is a cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze and can be found in products made from some of the more popular l product companies that claim to be natural.  The MSDS sheets on Propylene Glycol list the following warning for Propylene Glycol: CAUTION! MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO SKIN AND EYES! Propylene Glycol alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate and is definitely NOT something you want in your skin or hair care products.
Phthalates (Diethyl phthalate, DEP) are hormone-disrupting chemicals found (hidden) in fragrances and plastics. They cause problems of the reproductive system, including decreased sperm motility (and concentration in men) and genital abnormalities in baby boys. They are also known respiratory disruptors and are linked to asthma and allergies.

When you see “fragrance” listed as an ingredient in any skincare product and even candles,  gel freshners, & perfumes, the only way to know it does not contain Phthalates is if it is listed as a Phthalate-free fragrance. Otherwise, beware!

Here’s an interesting fact regarding fragrances… According to the EWG, There is a major loophole in the FDA’s federal law that lets manufacturers of products like shampoo, lotion, and body wash include nearly ANY ingredient in their products under the name "fragrance" without actually listing the chemical. This is why we consider “fragrance” that does not specify whether or not it is Phthalate-free another name for “hidden chemicals”. Chances are, if you read an ingredient list on any skincare or cosmetic product that includes many hard-to-pronounce ingredients and ALSO lists ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient, Phthalates are included!
Just a wow that impressed me:  Lemongrass Spa not only uses Phthalate-free fragrances (when fragrances are included in a product’s ingredients), but we also use Phthalate-free bottling and packaging supplies!
Petrolatum (AKA: Petroleum, Mineral Oil, Paraffin – commonly known as Vaseline) is not only BANNED from cosmetics in Europe, it is linked to breast cancer. From the Vaseline™ website… “Helps keep the outside world out… Acts like a sealant to help keep the inside world in”… Basically, petrolatum DOESN’T allow the skin to breathe!

The MSDS sheet on Petrolatum also warns, “Avoid long term exposure to skin… In all cases, seek medical attention”. Have you ever wondered what was in Ointments used for Diaper Rashes or Triple Antibiotic Ointment (used to heal minor cuts and wounds)?? You guessed it! AT LEAST 50% of the contents listed are petrolatum and/or petrolatum-derived ingredients! Good thing for Lemongrass Spa’s Bottom’s Up Baby Balm! It has all the healing qualities AND allows your skin to breathe!
Cocamide DEA/Lauramide DEA is derived from the fatty acids of coconut oil; it is an emulsifier and foaming agent commonly used in shampoos. A study done in 1998 by the federal National Toxicology Program (NTP) found Cocamide DEA to have a direct association with cancer in laboratory animals. It is a known human immune system toxicant and may contain other harmful impurities, according to The National Library of Medicine and HazMap.

Be forwarned… If you see ‘derived from coconut’ on a product ingredient list, the manufacturer may be attempting to hide the REAL name of this ingredient and make it ‘look’ safe.
Diazolidinyl Urea acts as a Formaldehyde releaser and is an antimicrobial preservative used in cosmetics. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Diazolidinyl Urea was recently re-classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer to its highest toxic class because it is a known human carcinogen and is linked to nasopharyngeal cancer.
Quick info:  Aveda, Bare Escentuals, Dermalogica, Lancome, Mary Kay, Nature’s Gate, Physician’s Formula and Zia Natural Skincare all use Diazolidinyl Urea in their products.  Lemongrass Spa Bath & Body and Beautiful Diva Mineral Make-up does not.  READ YOUR LABELS AND LEARN THEM!
Butyl Acetate (commonly found in nail treatment products) is the ester of butyl alcohol and acetic acid and is a known skin, eye and lung irritant. According to the European Union (Europe’s ‘FDA’), repeated exposure to Butyl Acetate may cause skin dryness or cracking.  If you want anything OTHER than dry-cracked nails, I would recommend picking out nail treatments that don’t contain Butyl Acetate.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a solvent and another known human immune system toxicant and neurotoxin. Strong evidence also suggests that Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a human SKIN toxicant! BHT is a substituted toluene and is used in lipstick, facial moisturizer and deodorant.
Warning:  Arbonne uses BHT in their Baby Care Body Lotion, which also includes FOUR different parabens (hormone disruptors)! And this is for babies?  Yikes!
Ethyl Acetate is used as a solvent in oil-based lacquers and enamels (especially in polyurethane finishes) and in inks and adhesives. It is also used as a solvent in many chemical processes and commonly in perfuming.

In addition to being a neurotoxin, it is also linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive deformities and skin, eye and lung irritations.
Toluene, also known as toluol., methylbenzene or phenylmethane, is a clear, water-insoluble liquid with the typical smell of paint thinners. It is widely used in cosmetics as a solvent, mainly in nail treatments (polish, remover, etc.). Like other solvents, toluene is also used as an inhalant drug for its intoxicating properties.

Toluene occurs naturally at low levels in crude oil and is usually produced in the processes of making gasoline. According to the International Fragrance Association’s Codes & Standards, it is unsafe for use in cosmetics. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (United States), it was determined safe to use in cosmetics, despite the fact that it has the highest hazard score (10) an ingredient can receive from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The MSDS sheet for Toluene labels this ingredient as a possible risk of harm to the unborn child. Keep an eye out for this HIGHLY TOXIC ingredient and avoid products that contain Toluene. OPI and Orly use toluene in their nail treatments.
Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical that is found in most handsoaps, toothpaste, facewash, deodorant, a host of personal care products, and even mattresses, toothbrushes and shoe insoles.  This is the chemical that let's companies put the tag "anti-bacterial" on their products.

It is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, and low levels of triclosan may disrupt thyroid function.  It is a hormone disruptor.

Studies have shown tricolosan kills not only the bad bacteria, but also your good bacteria making you more susceptible to other viruses.  It does not kill viruses and that constant use of triclosan filled products (i.e, anti-bacterial hand soap) actually makes the bacteria stronger as it learns to adapt to the chemical.

On an earth note...Wastewater treatment does not remove all of the chemical, which means it ends up in our lakes, rivers and water sources. That’s especially unfortunate since triclosan is very toxic to aquatic life.

In conclusion, avoid “antibacterial” products.  Triclosan is used in everyday products like toothbrushes, toys, and cutting boards that may be labeled “antibacterial,” "fights germs," "protection against mold," or make claims such as “odor-fighting” or “keeps food fresher, longer.”

Triethanolamine (TEA) is used as a pH balancer in cosmetic preparations such as skin lotion, eye gels, moisturizers, shampoos and shaving foams. TEA is a known carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and is also a suspected human organ and immune system toxicant.

Here is a list of other harmful chemicals that are also of great concern and should be avoided…

Hydroquinone                          SodiumNitrate
Lactic Acid                                Glycolic Acid
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)       Padimate-O
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)         PABA

There are more, unfortunately, many more but these are the top ones to keep away from if at all possible.

source: http://naturalbeautyandspa.weebly.com/toxic-chemicals-to-stay-away-from.html

Chemicals to avoid found in most body care products

Dr. Frank Lipman compiled this simple list we can use to avoid toxicity in our bodies.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-8686/are-you-putting-these-18-toxic-chemicals-on-your-body-every-day.html

Want to detoxify your personal care routine, but don't know know where to start? Read the labels, and steer clear of products with these noxious chemicals! 

DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine)

These three hormone-disrupting chemicals that can form cancer-causing agents — research indicates a strong link to liver and kidney cancer. They are commonly found in shampoos, soaps, bubble baths and facial cleansers.

Phthalates and Parabens

Banned by the European Union in 2003, phthalates and parabens are a group of chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. They keep hairsprays sticky and bacteria and keep fungus out of things like nail polish and perfume. Both have been shown to be carcinogenic and particularly linked to breast cancer.

FD&C Color Pigments

Most FD&C color pigments are made from coal tar and studies show that almost all of them are carcinogenic.These are found in products such as foundation or eyeshadow. Many of these pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation, or even oxygen depletion in the blood. FD&C Red #4 is no longer available for use in foods because of a known threat to the adrenal glands and urinary bladder.

Fragrance

“Fragrance” is a euphemism for nearly 4,000 different ingredients. Most “fragrances” are synthetic and are either cancer-causing or otherwise toxic. Exposure to fragrances has been shown to affect the central nervous system. “Fragrances” are found in most shampoos, deodorants, sunscreens, skincare and body care products.

Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin

These are formaldehyde donors, which means that they are derivatives of the formaldehyde, which is what scientists and morticians use to preserve corpses and body parts. (Remember dissecting frogs in school?) These chemicals are linked to allergies, chest pain, chronic fatigue, depression, dizziness, ear infections, headaches, joint pain, loss of sleep, and can trigger asthma. They can weaken the immune system, and, surprise surprise, cause cancer. Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin are used in skin, body and hair products, antiperspirants and nail polish.

Quaternium-15

Quarternium-15 commonly causes allergic reactions and dermatitis, and breaks down into formaldehyde. Quarternium-15 is used as a preservative in many skin and hair care products.

Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl Alcohol is used in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotion and aftershave lotions as well as in your car’s antifreeze and shellac! Scientists believe that it has the ability to destroy intestinal flora, leaving the body’s major organs open to parasites, and thus to cancers. Beyond attacking the intestinal flora, isopropyl alcohol can cause headaches, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, and coma.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is a petroleum derivative that coats the skin like saran wrap, which prevents the skin from breathing, absorbing and excreting. It also slows the skin’s natural cell development, causing the skin to age prematurely. Note that baby oil is 100% mineral oil – and 100% bad for your baby’s sensitive skin.

PEG (Polyethylene Glycol)

PEG’s are most commonly used in spray-on oven cleaners and in many hair and skin products. PEG’s main fuctions are to dissolve oil and grease. Thus, on the body, they take the protective oils off the skin and hair, making them more vulnerable to other toxins.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is the active ingredient in antifreeze. It is also used in makeup, toothpaste and deodorant. Stick deodorants have a higher concentration of PG than is allowed for most industrial use! Direct contact can cause brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. The EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with it. And yet, the FDA says we can put it in our mouths!!

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are the most toxic ingredients on this list. When used in combination with other chemicals, they can form nitrosamines, a deadly class of carcinogen. They are used to clean engines, garage floors and at car washes. AND still the most popular ingredients for makeup, shampoo and conditioner and toothpaste. Exposure causes eye damage, depression, diarrhea and many other ailments.

Triclosan

This is a synthetic antibacterial ingredient that has been compared to nothing less than Agent Orange. The Environmental Protection Agency registers it as a pesticide, highly toxic to any living organism. It is also classified as a chlorophenol. In other words, it is in a cancer causing chemical class. Triclosan disrupts hormones, can affect sexual function and fertility and may foster birth defects. Triclosan has been linked to paralysis, suppression of the immune system, brain hemorrhages, and heart problems. It's widely used in antibacterial cleansers, toothpaste, and household products.

Talc

Talc has been linked to ovarian and testicular cancer. It can be found in makeup, baby and adult powders and foundation.

Petrolatum

Petrolatum is a petrochemical that contains two well-known carcinogens: Benzo-A-Pyrene and Benzo-B-Fluroanthene. As you might imagine from a petroleum derivative, petrolatum prevents the skin from breathing and excreting. 

This list was taken from my book REVIVE: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again (2009) (previously called SPENT). 

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com

515 Harmful Chemicals found in body products

Most of these toxic chemicals cause cancer.  Why would one want to pay for expensive body products that will harm you?

Here is a report on the chemicals and where to find them.  Read all lists of ingredients in each product you buy.  If you don't recognize it, your body won't either.

Revealed... the 515 chemicals women put on their bodies every day

(Warning: picture in this link is indescent, not for younger audience)

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/beauty/article-1229275/Revealed--515-chemicals-women-bodies-day.html#ixzz2q4m5fcQ6 

Women and beauty products - it's a love affair that's been going on for centuries. And no wonder. There's nothing like a new lipstick or favourite perfume to make us look and feel good. Or so we thought... 

In fact, according to a new report, most of our favourite cosmetics are cocktails of industrially produced and potentially dangerous chemicals that could damage our health and, in some cases, rather than delivering on their potent 'anti-ageing' promise, are causing us to age faster. 

Research by Bionsen, a natural deodorant company, found that the average woman's daily grooming and make-up routine means she 'hosts' a staggering 515 different synthetic chemicals on her body every single day. 

Many of those are also used in products such as household cleaners, and have been linked to a number of health problems from allergies and skin sensitivity to more serious hormonal disturbances, fertility problems and even cancer. 

Parabens, for example, which are designed to preserve the shelf-life of your cosmetics, are one of the most widely used preservatives in the world, and are found in shampoos, hair gels, shaving gels and body lotions. But their use is becoming increasingly controversial - a range of different studies has linked them to serious health problems including breast cancer, as well as fertility issues in men. 

Research from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine suggests that some parabens we had previously presumed to be safe, such as Methylparaben, may mutate and become toxic when exposed to sunlight, causing premature skin ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer. 

Methylparabens are found in more than 16,000 products, including moisturisers and toothpastes. Cosmetic producers have always defended their use of parabens on the grounds that they can't be absorbed into the body. 

But many leading researchers disagree, including Dr Barbara Olioso, an independent professional chemist, who says: 'Research shows that between 20 and 60 per cent of parabens may be absorbed into the body.' 

More...

• Beauty confidential: My hair is brittle and lifeless, what can I do to get back the shine?
• I'm a celebrity: From Katie Price to Kerry Katona, battle of the make-up free D-list stars
• As Boots celebrates its 160th anniversary, we look back at the rise of the High Street chemist

There are a number of laws designed to protect us from dangerous chemicals in cosmetics, but researchers worry that they don't go far enough. For example, cosmetic manufacturers are required to list their ingredients, but they don't have to tell us about any impurities found in the raw materials or used in the manufacturing process, so long as they don't end up in the finished product. 

The industry insists that our cosmetics are safe. The Cosmetic Toiletries and Perfumery Association said last night: 'Stringent laws require all cosmetics to be safe, and each product undergoes a rigorous safety assessment. The number of ingredients in a product, or whether it is natural or man-made, has no bearing on how safe it is.' 

They also say that any chemicals are present in safe doses that can't harm us. While that may be true, there is some disagreement over what constitutes a 'safe' level - for young people and children, or sensitive adults, these levels may not be so safe at all. 

And even if the relatively small amounts in individual products don't hurt us, there is growing concern over the number of products women use daily, and the cumulative effect of so many chemicals being used all over our bodies every day, for many years. 

As Charlotte Smith, spokesperson for Bionsen, says: 'Women have never been more image-conscious and their beauty regimes have changed over the years, from a simple "wash & go" attitude, to daily fake-tan applications, regular manicures, false lashes and hair extensions. 

'Lots of the high-tech, new generation cosmetics and beauty "wonder" treatments naturally contain more chemicals to achieve even better results, which, of course, means women apply more chemicals than ever before.' 

If you want to protect yourself from chemical overload, reduce your overall cosmetics usage; switch to natural or organic products, and read the labels on your beauty and grooming products with care. 

• The Women's Environmental network has more detailed information and advice about ingredients contained in beauty products: www.wen.org. uk; The Cosmetics Database, a website which gives a 'hazard rating' for products: cosmeticsdatabase.com. Or read Skin Deep: The Essential Guide To What's In The Toiletries And Cosmetics You Use (Rodale), by Pat Thomas.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/beauty/article-1229275/Revealed--515-chemicals-women-bodies-day.html#ixzz2q4lwsIRE 

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Protect Yourself From Toxic Chemicals In Body Products

 Chemicals we put on our bodies go into our bodies, polluting and causing great harm adding up to 200 diseases! The skin is the largest organ in the body and it absorbs much of what it comes into contact with. Many lotions, perfumes, and skin care products contain toxic chemicals that pass into the body. Avoid the chemicals and give your skin the best care with natural Wonderfully Made products.

Here is a report by Dr Costa:

Protect Yourself From Harmful Chemicals in Cosmetics and Household Products

by Laura Costa, Ph.D.
Vice President of Membership, RI NOW

Every day, women are exposed to chemicals in cosmetics, household cleaners, plastics, food, water and many other sources. Common household chemicals have been linked to more than 200 health problems including asthma, depression, anxiety, various cancers (including breast, ovarian and brain), birth defects and developmental disabilities, as well as reproductive, cardiovascular and immune system disorders. Many of these chemicals are stored in our bodies and accumulate over time to cause health problems after years of gradual exposure.

The bad news: women are exposed to a far greater number of harmful chemicals than men . In general, women use more personal care products (such as makeup, perfume, nail care and hair care products), do most of the household cleaning (still!), eat more foods with artificial sweeteners, handle more indoor pesticides (e.g., bug sprays), sprinkle more carpet freshener, and burn more scented candles than men. For these reasons, women are at higher risk for health problems due to long-term, low-level exposure to harmful household chemicals. Although women are at higher risk than men, the group with the highest risk of all is young children. The liver is the main organ that removes toxins from the body and until two years of age, babies' livers are underdeveloped and not fully capable of removing harmful chemicals from their bodies.

The good news: most household chemical exposure is preventable . By altering your practices, you can decrease exposure to household chemicals. By reducing your family's daily chemical exposure, you can reduce the chances of developing illnesses such as cancer, anxiety, respiratory problems, and even heart disease and stroke attributed to low-level exposure during a long period.

Reducing exposure is not as difficult as you may think. Once you learn about the safe, natural alternatives for the chemical-containing products in your home, it's simply a matter of learning which products and ingredients to choose and which to avoid. For personal care, cleaning products and pesticides, it means learning about the ingredients listed on the product labels. Here are some tips to help you do that.

In choosing cosmetics and household cleaners, AVOID or MINIMIZE the following:

• Products that contain ingredients with long, difficult-to-pronounce names. These are usually synthetic ("man-made") chemicals that are untested for their effects on human health.
• Products with strong scents or odors. This includes perfume, cologne, scented lotion, powder, etc. These items contain chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which destroy brain cells, disrupt hormone function and can cause cancer. When inhaled, these VOCs have easy access to the brain, bloodstream and organs. As toxic vapors, VOCs also "offgas" from new plastics, carpeting and toys, nail polish, paint, etc. Avoid or "air-out" these items for as long as possible before installing or placing them in a closed-room. (Unless you use an effective air purifier, your indoor air often is more polluted than the air outside your home due to fumes offgassing from products you bring inside.)
• Products with ingredients listed as "fragrance", "perfume" or "scent".
• Products with "Warning", "Caution", or "Danger: labels (i.e., cleaning products and pesticides). These labels are there because one or more of the ingredients has the potential for causing serious harm or death.

For safer options/alternatives, look for:

• Products labeled "organic" or "all-natural" (personal care products and foods), but read further to see how these terms are defined. To ensure organic standards, look for "USDA Certified Organic" or "Quality Assurance International" labels.
• Personal care products with plant-based oils such as almond oil or jojoba (rather than petroleum-based oils) and an ingredients list you can read and understand.
• Simple, natural cleaners such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. Avoid antibacterials (e.g., triclosan) in all products since they are unnecessary for effective cleaning and can create antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause serious health problems.

More Info:

National NOW Conference 2010 Resolution - National Safe Cosmetics Act

NOW Board Passes Resolution on Safe Personal Care Products

NOW supports scent free conferences

Take Action!

Develop and pass legislation to protect women and girls

California passed the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005 (SB484) to call for additional oversight and protection in the cosmetics industry. Taking action is important because the FDA does not review cosmetic ingredients for their safety before they come to market, nor does it have the authority to recall hazardous products.

You can work to pass state legislation similar to the California bill that:

• Requires cosmetics manufacturers to disclose to the state any product ingredient that is on state or federal lists of chemicals that cause cancer or birth defects.
• Allows state agencies tasked with protecting women and girls to demand manufacturers supply any health related information about cosmetic ingredients.

Host a "toxic conversation"

Invite activists and friends to a party and ask each one of them to bring along one or two of their favorite cosmetic products and one of the household cleaning products that they use most often. Read the product information labels and discuss "just what is in the make-up I am wearing" and "how harmful are these chemicals I use to clean my home anyway?"

To prepare for your party, gather information about new science related to chemicals in cosmetics and cleaning products:

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Office for Women's health provides information on chemicals in the home. Ask the CDC to provide more information to help you make safe choices about the products that you use in your home and on your body.
• The National Study for Environmental Health Sciences provides information about phthalate exposure and dangers to pregnant women.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides information about the potentially harmful chemicals in household products.

Learn more about these topics

• Organic Consumers Association
• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
• Safer for Your Baby: A Guide to Living Better with Fewer Chemicals(www.saferforyourbaby.com) by Lynn Tondat Ruggeri, Ph.D. and Laura Costa, Ph.D. The 67-page booklet is printed on recycled paper with non-toxic soy ink and isn't just for babies but for anyone who wants to live a healthier life.