Cosmetics are tested for safety, right?
I think that many of us, myself included, assume that if something is for sale, it must be safe. Someone, somewhere in the government, must be regulating it, right? Well, when it comes to cosmetics, think again. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, major loopholes in the laws allow the cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products, with no prior testing and no monitoring of health effects. In other words, from the mouth of the FDA, "The regulatory requirements governing the sale of cosmetics are not as stringent as those that apply to other FDA-regulated products... Manufacturers may use any ingredient or raw material, except for color additives and a few prohibited substances, to market a product without a government review or approval."
If you live in Europe, you'll have much more protective laws in place. The EU banned the use of many chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or birth defects in 2004 and wants to require chemical companies to test chemicals for health effects before they go on the market.
What can you do? Well, on the individual level, you might have to take responsibility for your own health on this one. Run your cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, lotions, sunscreens and any other personal care products through the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Database to see how they rate on safety, and to find alternatives if you choose.
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