The Story of Cosmetics

Hello,
What a great post. That really is terrifying. Since I started as an intern at Rodale and learned about all of these toxic chemicals I have been trying to eat healthier to avoid them. To think that they have been hiding in my shampoo, makeup, nail polish, and skin care too is something I would never have seen coming. It really is our responsibility to spread this message to everyone that we can to keep ourselves and our planet healthy. That is a fantastic video. I am so glad that you brought that to my attention because now I am going to forward that around. We also have a few scary articles on our website, Rodale.com about phthalates in perfume, and other hazardous chemicals hiding in our everyday lives. Feel free to check it out sometime, it is great that we can help each other out with this important information.

I like this video and I will be passing it on! Thanks for sharing, now3 more people can spread the word!

Thanks! I already look at the stuff I buy, though some stuff does get thru, like Tom’s of Maine which I just realized the toothpaste I bought has SLS (no fluoride though but still). Tom’s and Burt’s Bees used to be quality companies but now both have been bought out by corporations so their product quality has gone down. I did sign the petition and posted to my face book. Thanks for all your posts, they are wonderful!

I knew you would be behind this act! I am so glad you are sharing it with all your readers. I posted the video on my facebook page and wrote to my representatives yesterday. This is one act that has got to pass!!!

This is very interesting and a lot scary. Thanks for this information. I can not wait to pass this on.

Yay to you for posting this Tiffany!!! I recently watched this video when it was pushed to me by another site I frequent. I would also encourage anyone interested in information regarding the chemicals in the products we surround ourselves with, put on and into our bodies, to check out the Endocrine Disruption Exchange. http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/endocrine.male.php

The video (free download and free DVD copies to share) features Dr. Theo Colborn – the foremost leader in research of these chemicals. It is 37 min and so worth it. My nephew was born in 2007 with an acute hypospadia and the rise in hypospadias is directly tied to the use of these chemicals. Thank you for sharing!

There is one element to the legislation that needs a closer look. You may know someone that makes soap or lotion. Someone who only uses the most natural products she can find. These folks will become subject to truly draconian reporting requirements… like reporting every supplier they they purchase from, no matter how minor. Disclosing formulations without any guarantee of confidentiality as well as reporting every company/mom and pop who re-sells their products.

On top of that, the bill requires labels to include every element that is in the product…..a product with Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil and Lavender Essential Oil would look like this:

Ingredients: Olive Oil (Tri-Glycerides of Palmitic, Di-Glycerides of Palmitic, Palmitoleic, Stearic, Oleic, Linoleic, Arachidic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Squalene, Beta Carotene, Campesterol, Methylenecholesterol, Stigmasterol, Sitosterol, Fucosterol, 28-Isofucosterol, Stigmadienol, Brassicasterol, 7-Cholestenol,Ergostadienol, Avenasterol, Triterpene Alcohols, Tirucallol, Taraxerol, Dammaradienol Beta-Amyrin Germanicol, Butyrospermol, Parkeol, Cycloartenol, Tirucalladienol, 24-Methlene 24-Dihydroparkeol, 24-Methlenecycloartanol, Cyclobranol, 4-Methyl Sterols, Esters of Tyrosol, Esters of Hydroxytyrosol, Vitamin E (Tocopherols), Carotenoids, Oleuropein) Cocoa Butter (Tri and Diglycerides of Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Lead, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Isoleic Acid, Beta Carotene, p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, Vanillic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Syringic Acid, Phenylehtylamine, Theophylline, Aliphatic Esters, Aromatic Carbonyls, Caffeine, Theobromine, Diketopiperazines and Alkylpryazines), Lavender Essential Oil ( Cineole Octanol, Octanone, Alpha Bisabolol, Alpha Cadinol, Alpha Humelene, Alpha Phellandrene, Apha Pinene, Alpha Terpinene, Alpha Terpineol, Alpha Terpinyl Acetate, Alpha Thujene, Alpha Thujone, Beta Bisabolol, Beta Pinene, Beta Thujone, Borneol, Bornyl Acetate, Camphene Camphor, Cineolealpha Terpineol, Carvone, Caryophyllene, Carophyllene Oxide, CIS Alpha Terpineol, CIS Alpha Bisabolene, CIS Carveol, CIA Linalol Epoxide, CIS Ocimene, Citronellal, Citronellol, Coumarine, Cuminaldehyde, Eugenol, Furfural, Geraniol, Geranyl Acetate, Geranyl Butyrate, Hexanol, Hexyl Tiglate, Isoborneol, Lavandulol, Lavandulyl Acetate, Limonene, Linanlol, Linalyl Acetate, Methyl Heptenone, Myrcene, Nerol, Neryl Acetate, Oleanolic Acid, P Cymene, Rosemarinic Acid, Sabinen, Terpinenol, Terpinolene, Trans Carveol, Trans Epoxy Linalyl Acetate, Trans Linanol Epoxide, Trans Ocimene, Ursolic Acid).

Is this an ingredient statment that anyone can really understand? Unfortunately it all adds up to stricter reporting requirements than exist for our food supply and illustrates a case of using a nuclear bomb to kill an ant. And, as always, there will increases in cost for all of the reporting to the government, a cost that will be transferred to the consumers of cosmetics.

Beautiful, natural and safe alternatives are out there…vote with your dollars and teach those that make the cosmetics with the offensive chemistry a lesson that puts them in the natural business or out of business.

The Safe Cosmetics Act could work for all who make these products, but it doesn’t work the way it is written. Independent, natural product producers will be in trouble. You may be accustomed to seeing a soapmaker at your local farmers market, but it’s likely she won’t be in business long if this bill passes as written.

Thanks for reading my comment. When you take action, please consider that this bill is like the cosmetics you have concern over…the bill has some good ingredients, but contain many that are truly toxic.