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Most non-organic cosmetics and personal care products currently sold contain five major types of toxins that cause cancer and other health problems, according to the Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC). The CPC, joined by scientists and consumer advocates, is asking the government to mandate the removal of these toxins from cosmetics and personal care products that have not been certified organic by the USDA.
The ingredients of concern to the CPC are frank carcinogens, such as DEA sodium lauryl sulfate; precursor or hidden carcinogens, such as lanolin; endocrine disruptors, such as methylparaben; penetration enhancers, such as oxybenzone; and allergens, such as formaldehyde. Of these, the group is particularly concerned about hormonal phthalates, and synthetic "aroma boosters." The lists were compiled by Dr. Samuel Epstein and Randy Fitzgerald, authors of a new book, "Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Endanger Your Health ... And What You Can do About It."
Skin is porous and highly permeable; thus, very sensitive to toxic chemicals, Dr. Epstein explains.
“What we put on our skin affects our health just as much, if not more, than what we put in our mouths," he says.
Dr. Epstein makes a comparison between cosmetic and personal care products to tobacco products in terms of toxic ingredients, though tobacco products do carry health warning labels.
The regulation of cosmetic and personal care products falls under the Food and Drug Administration pursuant to the 1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FFDC) Act. But the FDA has not exercised its authority over these products for 70 years, the CPC asserts.
The CPC is calling for a safety warning on products as well as financial penalties for marketers of products containing toxic ingredients until such ingredients are phased out.
To learn more, consult Environmental Working Group’s cosmetics and personal care products database Skin Deep.
