Current News on Cosmetic Toxins

          When we go to purchase products, we tend to look for the things that will last us the longest; however, this is not what we should be doing. Many cosmetic products are produced with chemicals that will release formaldehyde as they sit on our shelves or our makeup bags. Although it is successful in preserving the product, it is highly toxic to our immune and nervous systems. Companies use the other chemicals as a way to disguise their use of formaldehyde, among them are: Quaternium-15, DMDM Hydantoin, Ureas and Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate. Their use of these products is keeping us uninformed about what we are putting onto our skin and therefore into our bodies
          As we are becoming a bit more aware of the issue of potential toxins in our cosmetic products, we have begun to realize that we are being used as guinea pigs for the companies producing our products. Many different groups are creating resources for us to use that will allow us to become informed about the products we are using. A new phone application called "Think Dirty" has been created to do just this. Using this application to scan the bar code on any product will give you instant information on it, telling you if it has toxic chemicals in it. You can download the application on your phones app store or click this link to learn more about it: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/new-think-dirty-app-scans-your-cosmetics-for-toxins/
Some companies like Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble have responded to our concerns and have claimed that they will remove the toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde from their products.

*Even within the same companies, cosmetic products are produced in many different factories. As we searched for a map of specific factories, for example, the Maybeline factory in Little Rock, Arkansas, we found no information or pictures. This further proves the point that cosmetic companies are holding back information from us, leaving us uninformed about their products, the things that are potentially causing us great harm.


Sources:
(article)     http://www.naturalnews.com/041323_formaldehyde_skin_care_cosmetics.html
(websites) http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/new-think-dirty-app-scans-your-cosmetics-for-toxins/
                http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/12/walmart-disclose-phase-out-toxic-chemicals-products-cosmetics/2805567/
             


Abby's Taking Action:

What I did for my Take Action was 'tweet' at Barack Obama (or his representatives) to have the FDA improve their system of checking their cosmetic products. I told him in a direct tweet (no one sees this but his representatives) that many women are getting breast cancer from these products, and women who are pregnant or nursing that it is infecting their milk and their growing child. The metals in these cosmetics can also lead to brain defects in the mother as well as the child growing inside of her, or taking in her breast milk. The FDA needs to have a better control over what they are giving to the public, and they should ban any cosmetics that are harmful. It felt good taking action in a cause that I really enjoy being a part of, and knowing that even the smallest of voices can make an impact is really encouraging. This website http://web.colby.edu/cleanmakeup/taking-action/ tells you how to access your state and federal representatives and in what manner to do so.

Marissa's Taking Action:

I searched for ways to take action in regards to promoting safe cosmetics. What I found was actually very reassuring; I looked for specific information on ways that Massachusetts is working toward eliminating harmful products and found a lot of information. I read that many bills have/are being written for this topic and one of them was actually written by someone from my home town. I decided to search for something that wouldn't just be limited to Massachusetts and found an online petition that is campaigning for safe cosmetics, but specifically safe perfume. If you are a celebrity in Hollywood it is almost a requirement to have your own fragrance. This petition is geared towards creating safer perfumes and bringing awareness to the fact that they really are harmful to us. Although this petition didn't go directly towards a state representative, I felt good about signing it. Things like this can be sent to state governments or the national government directly once many people have signed it and will, hopefully, be an incentive for them to personally take action. It was a small gesture but my voice has been heard and is there for everyone to see. You can sign the petition here: http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5500/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3007


Tessa's Taking Action:

I searched for an act on taking action against the toxins in products such as shampoos and everyday necessities. I came across the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2013. I found this very interesting because I haven't heard of anything like it before. I didn't realize that a lot of people are also taking action against the toxins that are found in these products. This act ensures that all personal products are free of toxins. The existing law has not been updated since 1938, and it has meant loopholes allowing chemicals to lead to birth defects, cancer, and learning disabilities. The campaign has raised awareness and has got many people interested in what they are putting in/on their bodies. While researching on many different sites I came across a list of products that anyone could protest against and it gave examples of why. I wrote a letter to Walgreens asking them to stop using private labeled baby shampoos that contain ingredient's that contain carcinogen such as formaldehyde. Here is a link: http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5500/p/dia/action/public/index to all of the products that people can become more aware on and even take a stand against if they wish to do so.