Why The Safe Cosmetics Act Matters

We’ve talked about this before here on the Clean Beauty for Black Girls blog, but in light of recent events a reminder is just what’s on deck. 

Remember when I told you that the last time legislation on cosmetics was passed it was done so all the way back in 1938? Well to take that information one step further, that over 80 year old law states that no “poisonous or deleterious substance” can be used in marketed products. A little vague wouldn’t you say? 

To make it even worse, the law as it stands means:

  • There are no pre-market safety measures in place for products

  • There is no process that requires companies to prove the safety of their products to the FDA

  • There is no need for companies to disclose any test or studies they actually conduct on products

  • The FDA still lacks authority to issue a recall if they were to find a product is causing consumers harm

Enter California & a bill that was backed by both the EWG and Black Women for Wellness.

The Safe Cosmetics Act that recently passed in California is what hopefully is the start of a landfall of change across the country. 

In this bill there are 24 toxic chemicals that are outlined & have known linkages to cancer, hormone disruption and reproductive harm. 

Some of the ingredients that are included in the list of 24 are:

  • PFAs - otherwise known as forever chemicals (learn more here)

  • Formaldehyde 

  • Parabens (isobutyl- & isopropyl-)

  • Phthalates 

  • Mercury

It also closes a loophole and introduces transparency by demanding companies disclose what is in their ingredient “fragrance” - called the Fragrance Ingredient Right. Because let’s face it, we do have a right to know. 

This bill brings (at least) one state to similar levels of those the European Union put in place as protection measures in regards to consumers. Remember the EU bans 1328 ingredients, while the US bans 11. 

The Safe Cosmetics Act prohibits the manufacturing, selling, delivering and holding of products that use these ingredients and will be fully implemented in 2025.

This is just proof to you that consumer education is important because it fuels consumer demand. We deserve to be safer.

Choose you, Choose safer.


2020Hannah McCallclean beauty for black girls, clean beauty, campaign for safer cosmetics, ewg, environmental working group, black women for wellness, personal care products safety act, regulation of cosmetic products, cancer, hormone disruption, list of safe cosmetics, safe cosmetics, safe makeup, safe skincare, black women's healthComment