The FDA Isn't Protecting Us
To put it simply, the government oversight of the beauty & cosmetics industry just simply isn’t there.
The FDA doesn’t have the authority we all might assume it doesn when it comes to our face wash, lotions, and makeup.
The FDA does not:
Evaluate and register new cosmetic ingredients
Test individual cosmetic products
Require approval before cosmetic products are introduced to the market
Their main authority when it comes to our beauty products is to reprimand those who blatantly misbrand their products or adulterate them. So really, the FDA is regulating marketing?
Because without the testing of ingredients, I’m not sure how this limited authority puts the health and safety of consumers as a top priority.
Beauty companies don’t even have to share safety information - in regards to their products - with the FDA. Any recalls that happen are voluntary in most cases, as the FDA is not authorized to call & enforce them when it comes to cosmetics.
Let’s think about it this way… the cosmetics industry (as of 2019) was values at $380.2 billion. And in 2020 it grew to a whopping $532 billion.
Does it really seem like 2 pages of legislation written in 1938 is enough at this point? Or ever?
Another fun fact. 595 cosmetic manufacturers reported 80 chemicals that were used in 73,000 products (in 2009) had known links to cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm.
Don’t we deserve confidence in the products we buy?
California thinks so. That’s why they passed the CA Assembly Bill 2762, the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act.
The European Union thinks so - that’s why the ingredients (chemicals) that show up on a “dirty dozen” list in the United States will show up on their banned list. Not ours tho…
With cancer rates rising (especially amonth the Black community) and product usage increasing… what’s going to give?
You know my answer. Us.
Education. Buying Power. Votes.
That’s why Clean Beauty for Black Girls exist.