Recent Press Releases

Shareholders Ask Avon to Ditch Toxic Cosmetics April 30th, 2013 When Avon shareholders gather in New York City on May 2, they will consider a resolution calling on the company to substitute safer alternatives for dangerous chemicals used in their beauty products that have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and other serious diseases.

Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics, Shampoos, Targeted by Congress March 21st, 2013 Today the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2013, which would give the Food and Drug Administration authority to ensure that all personal care products are free of harmful ingredients, was introduced in Congress.

Tests reveal potentially toxic titanium dioxide in sunscreen and cosmetics March 5th, 2013 Friends of the Earth revealed new testing results today that found many popular sunscreen and cosmetic products are using a potentially hazardous form of a common ingredient.

Who’s Naughty and Who’s Nice? December 11th, 2012 When it comes to their commitment to cosmetics safety, some retailers are naughty and some are nice; some lead the market trend toward safer products and some lag behind.

Johnson & Johnson Makes Historic Commitment to Remove Cancer-Causing Chemicals August 15th, 2012 Prompted by growing concerns raised by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), makers of Aveeno, Neutrogena, and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, announced today that it will be removing carcinogens and other toxic chemicals from its baby and adult products globally.

Salon Workers Expose Ugly Side of Beauty Industry to Lawmakers July 23rd, 2012 This week, dozens of salon workers and advocates from all over the country will be descending upon D.C. for a day of action to raise awareness about toxic chemical exposure in the workplace.

First-of-kind data find toxic chemical widespread in Canadian adults Environmental Defence May 16th, 2012 The first data on levels of the chemical triclosan were released today to reveal widespread body pollution in Canadian adults. Seven of eight people tested had the antibacterial chemical in their bodies—with levels higher than those toxic to fish and algae.

Sustained pressure by non-profits forces change in FDA nanotech policy Friends of the Earth May 3rd, 2012 Several leading non-profits working on nanotechnology oversight issued a statement responding to recent steps taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that represent marginal progress toward regulation of products made with this new technology.

Industry-backed Cosmetics Safety Bill a Trojan Horse, Will Set Back Cosmetics Safety April 23rd, 2012 Health and consumer groups denounced today the Cosmetic Safety Amendments Act of 2012, introduced last week by Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.), as an affront to consumer and worker health.

Nail Polishes Test Positive for Toxic Chemicals Despite Label Claims April 11th, 2012 California Environmental Protection Agency’s Department of Toxic Substances Control announced yesterday that some nail care products typically found in many of California’s estimated 48,000 nail salons and sold directly to consumers contain high levels of hazardous chemicals despite their labels claiming otherwise.

Industry Influence Dominates Historic Hearing on Toxic Cosmetics March 28th, 2012 the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee yesterday convened the first Congressional hearing in 30 years on the safety of cosmetics and personal care products. The hearing was weighted in favor of industry, which represented four of the six witnesses called to testify before committee. No witnesses representing health impacted salon workers or consumers were called to testify.

Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics: Congress to Investigate Mercury, Lead, Formaldehyde Found in Many Body-Care Products March 22nd, 2012 In the wake of recent scandals involving mercury in face cream, formaldehyde in hair products and lead in lipstick, the House Energy and Commerce Committee has called the first official Congressional hearing on cosmetics safety in more than 30 years. The hearing will take place March 27.

Obama Budget Calls for Increased FDA Oversight of Cosmetics Industry, Personal Care Products February 28th, 2012 The Obama administration’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year calls for an additional $19 million in funding through user fees to enable the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to more effectively regulate cosmetics.

Tester to FDA: Protect women from lipstick lead Senator Jon Tester's Office February 23rd, 2012 Senator Jon Tester is raising concerns about the rising levels of lead in lipstick, and wants the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ramp up efforts to protect women and children from lead exposure.

Hundreds of lipsticks contaminated with lead, reports new FDA study February 7th, 2012 A new analysis of lead in lipstick conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reveals that the problem of lead in lipstick is worse and more widespread than previously reported.

Toxic Hair Treatments: Lawsuits Settled on Brazilian Blowout; California Attorney General Suit Forces Hazard Warning January 30th, 2012 Health advocates are ramping up pressure on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to remove the keratin hair-straightening product Brazilian Blowout from the marketplace in light of a legal settlement announced today in a California court against the company that makes the product.

Market Shift: Hundreds of Cosmetics Companies Fulfill Safe Products Pledge November 30th, 2011 The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics announced today that 322 cosmetics companies have met the goals of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, the Campaign’s voluntary pledge to avoid chemicals banned by health agencies outside the U.S. and to fully disclose product ingredients – a pioneering practice in the cosmetics industry. An additional 110 companies made significant progress toward those goals.

Johnson & Johnson Promises to Remove Carcinogens from Baby Products November 16th, 2011 Today, Johnson & Johnson delivered a letter to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics laying out commitments and timelines for the company’s plans to reformulate all of its baby products worldwide to remove cancer-causing chemicals.

Toxic Baby Shampoo: Johnson & Johnson Agrees to Global Reformulation Under Pressure from Health Groups November 1st, 2011 Johnson's Baby Shampoo in the U.S. and elsewhere contains a formaldehyde-releasing chemical, yet safer alternatives are in use in other countries.

Toxic Pesticide in Summertime Soaps July 14th, 2011 Today health and environmental groups urged retailer Bath & Body Works to stop selling its line of "summertime scent" soaps that contain triclosan, a toxic chemical categorized as a pesticide.

Recent News Articles

Lipstick is Full of Metal and Lead: Why Use It? by Kristina Chew, Care2 May 9th, 2013 Many lipsticks and lip glosses found at local drugstores and department stores contain lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum and five other metals, a just-published study by researchers at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health reports.

Lipstick: The Price for Pretty Lips May Be Heavy... Metals by  Bill Chameides, Huffington Post May 9th, 2013 A new study says picture-perfect lips may be nothing to smile about.

Are Your ‘Natural’ Beauty Products Really Natural? by Alison Rose Levy, Take Part May 8th, 2013 Even if your shampoo, moisturizer, or body wash claim to be good for you (and the environment), you’ll need to make sure that’s actually the case. Here’s where to look.

Which 20 Lipsticks Contain the Most Lead? by Maggie Severns, Mother Jones May 6th, 2013 And lead isn't the only toxin lurking in your lippy—a new study finds cadmium, aluminum, and other heavy metals, too.

Pressure Mounts For FDA Decision On Safety Of Triclosan by Alan McStravick, RedOrbit May 6th, 2013 n FDA decision expected later this year will determine whether manufacturers will be able to continue using triclosan in a variety of personal care products.

Beauty Tips for the FDA by John Wasik, The Investigative Fund May 6th, 2013 Did my wife's cosmetics give her breast cancer? Inside a regulatory disaster zone.

Johnson & Johnson Removes Some Chemicals from Baby Shampoo, Other Products by Jane Kay, Scientific American May 6th, 2013 One of the world's largest producers of personal care products, J&J has vowed to remove many chemicals from its baby products

UC Berkeley study reveals health concerns with lipstick usage by The Daily Californian, Yvonne Ng May 6th, 2013 Long-term exposure to the heavy metals found in commonly used cosmetics can cause adverse health effects, according to a new study by UC Berkeley researchers.

Minnesota Legislature Votes to Ban Formaldehyde in Children’s Soaps, Lotions May 6th, 2013 Minnesota’s legislature took a giant step toward protecting children by banning formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical, from children’s personal care products like lotions, shampoos, and bubble baths.

Chemicals from Personal Care Products Pervasive in Chicago Air Hindustan Times May 4th, 2013 The quest for lush lips could be exposing women to toxic metals in lipsticks and glosses, a new study from the University of California Berkeley finds.

India regulators pull J&J plant license on baby powder concerns Reuters May 3rd, 2013 Officials say sterilization process not compliant; J&J says will appeal decision; Latest in long string of J&J quality problems

Toxic chemical found in hand soap, study shows Chicago Tribune May 3rd, 2013

Chemicals from Personal Care Products Pervasive in Chicago Air by Brian Bienkowski, Scientific American April 30th, 2013 On the brink of federal regulatory review, chemicals in deodorants, lotions and conditioners are showing up in Chicago’s air at levels that scientists call alarming.

A Pre-Baby Detox: Necessary or Just a Fad? by Alison Rose Levy, Take Part April 29th, 2013 Whether you want to get pregnant now or down the road, many recommend clearing out toxic chemicals—especially the ones that disrupt hormones—before conception.

Consumers Rank Ingredient Transparency Among Most Important Issues For Brands GlobeScan April 25th, 2013 Study finds large majority of consumers say “ingredient transparency”among top purchase drivers for food, beauty and household products, yet only 57% regularly check the list of ingredients before purchasing

The dark side of skincare products by Eleanor Chen, New Straits Times April 8th, 2013 BEAUTY AT A PRICE: Cosmetics companies pack expensive products using ingredients hazardous to health

Dying to look good: Ingredients in personal care products harmful to health and environment by Sarah Turner, The Manitoban March 28th, 2013 Beauty products help us look clean, fresh, put-together, and mask any unwanted odours; but is there more to these products than what meets the eye? Could their routine use actually pose a threat to our health and the health of the environment?

For a Holistic Lifestyle, Go to Aisle 2 by Bee-Shyuan Chang, The New York Times March 27th, 2013 Once upon a time, the beauty aisle of a health-food store was something of an oxymoron, stocked with dubious image boosters like powdered henna and Dr. Bronner’s soap. But just as Whole Foods has helped make over Americans’ diets, so it is laying claim to their complexions.

The Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Act of 2013 Is Introduced by Donna Maria, Indie Business blog March 22nd, 2013 A free community event aims to address chemicals in everyday products. From what they are to how folks can reduce their health risks towards them.

Reps. Schakowsky, Markey Statement on Introducing the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act Rep. Jan Schakowsky March 21st, 2013 Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Edward J. Markey released the following statement on the introduction of the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act.