Everyday American men and women are putting their health at risk by unknowingly ingesting harmful chemicals from their daily cosmetic products. In Europe, approximately 1,300 chemicals are prohibited for use in personal care products, while about only a dozen are banned or limited in the United States (Dennis). Studies have linked certain chemicals and ingredients contained in cosmetics to allergic reactions, environmental concerns, disruption of the endocrine system, developmental, reproductive and organ-system toxicity, and even cancer ("Chemicals of Concern."). The most common harmful ingredients found in personal care products are phthalates, triclosan, butylated hydroxyanisole and hydroxytoluene (BHA and BHT), coal tar, diethanolamine
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However, they could certainly be more effective. The U.S. Congress creates laws and instructs federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration to carry them out and regulate industries ("U.S. Food and Drug Administration"). There are 2 major laws, enacted in 1938 and 1966, which govern the cosmetics industry: the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) (Cosmeticsinfo.org). The FD&C Act defines adulterated and misbranded products and illegalizes such products for sale in the U.S ("U.S. Food and Drug Administration"). The FPLA states all the labeling requirements for food, drug, and cosmetic products. If cosmetic producers want to sell their beauty products on the market, it is mandatory by the FPLA that they provide the FDA with their product ingredients. However, if an ingredient is considered a “trade secret” like a fragrance, the company does not have to reveal the used ingredients. According to the FDA, there are about 12 chemicals banned or restricted for cosmetic use in America. Anyone or any product disobeying these rules will cause the FDA to take action. To ensure these regulations are being met, the FDA will inspect cosmetic companies and analyze product ingredients. The FDA has the power to confiscate unlawful cosmetic products off the market and from manufacturers, in addition to taking legal action against the producer ("U.S. Food and Drug Administration"). While today’s laws and regulations on the industry prevent a lot of dangerous cosmetics from being created and sold, there are other solutions that could practically eliminate the
However, they could certainly be more effective. The U.S. Congress creates laws and instructs federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration to carry them out and regulate industries ("U.S. Food and Drug Administration"). There are 2 major laws, enacted in 1938 and 1966, which govern the cosmetics industry: the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) (Cosmeticsinfo.org). The FD&C Act defines adulterated and misbranded products and illegalizes such products for sale in the U.S ("U.S. Food and Drug Administration"). The FPLA states all the labeling requirements for food, drug, and cosmetic products. If cosmetic producers want to sell their beauty products on the market, it is mandatory by the FPLA that they provide the FDA with their product ingredients. However, if an ingredient is considered a “trade secret” like a fragrance, the company does not have to reveal the used ingredients. According to the FDA, there are about 12 chemicals banned or restricted for cosmetic use in America. Anyone or any product disobeying these rules will cause the FDA to take action. To ensure these regulations are being met, the FDA will inspect cosmetic companies and analyze product ingredients. The FDA has the power to confiscate unlawful cosmetic products off the market and from manufacturers, in addition to taking legal action against the producer ("U.S. Food and Drug Administration"). While today’s laws and regulations on the industry prevent a lot of dangerous cosmetics from being created and sold, there are other solutions that could practically eliminate the