Cosmetic Ingredients, Getting Safer?

Last year, the European Union banned a range of chemicals widely used in cosmetics, which are either highly suspected or scientifically proven to be carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins. Phthalates, a class of chemicals widely suspected to cause cancer and birth defects, are included.

Since the U.S. hasn’t followed suit, the Breast Cancer Fund and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics took up the charge by attempting to convince multinational cosmetics companies to reformulate their products to EU standards. So far, L’Oreal and Revlon have agreed to do so.

Says Jeanne Rizzo, executive director of the Breast Cancer Fund, “Regrettably, U.S. law still permits companies to put unlimited amounts of toxic chemicals into cosmetics sold here.”

Unilever says its products do not contain phthalates DBP and DEHP, but refrains from committing to cease using the other 1,000 toxic chemicals banned by the E.U. directive.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is asking all cosmetics companies to sign a pledge to immediately remove all EU-banned chemicals and develop safer alternative ingredients. The group will issue a report card this month grading cosmetics companies on their responsiveness to this request.

In the end, many consumer-safety organizations believe the government will need to regulate ingredients. The FDA has not examined some 80% of the 10,000-plus ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

“Ideally, we’d like to see the U.S. change its policies to match the European Union’s, where chemicals are actually tested for safety before they’re put on the market,” says Liz Moore of EWG.

She notes that most people don’t realize that an industry-run Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel evaluates ingredients before they come to market, not the FDA. “The government requires no testing for cancer or other long-term effects of these chemicals. Once a chemical goes onto the market, it can’t be pulled from shelves unless it’s proven to cause harm.”

EWG analyzed over 7,000 cosmetic products, assessing their levels of carcinogenic ingredients, or ingredients suspected to have reproductive and developmental toxicity. They rate products on a 0 to 10, with 10 signifying the highest health concern.

++++

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report card: www.safecosmetics.org

EWG’s product evaluation: www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep