Dossing around the internet the other day, I came across this. It should be required viewing for anyone who has a drawer full of lotions and potions that they routinely slather on themselves in the hope of becoming gorgeous. Read: all women.
To re-cap:
- Babies are being born pre-polluted thanks to the beauty products we use.
- We’re damaging the planet, communities and ourselves because of the cosmetics we use.
- The chemicals in our 'beauty' products are known carcinogens (cancer-causers), as well as being linked to learning disabilities, athsma and reproductive problems.
- The average US woman uses 12 products daily, with about 12 dangerous ingredients each. Men use 6.
- Herbal Essences contains toxic petro chemicals derived from oil. (I always thought it smelt dodge.)
- In the US, anyone can put anything in a bottle and sell it and only 20% of chemicals have been tested. In the US just 8 out of 12,000 chemicals have been banned, since 1928. They don’t even list all the products on the bottle. (I've found it very difficult to find information on where the EU stands on this. But the net point remains the same: consumers need to be very conscious of what they are putting on their bodies.)
- Ester Lauder donates a portion of their profits to fighting cancer. However, they are selling products with chemicals that cause cancer.
- It's thought that small amounts of these chemicals don’t cause too much damage. Yet, we use them liberally everyday. We use a dangerous cocktail of products, not just one. Also, people who work in the beauty industry get dosed with them daily.
So, ladies and gents, let's reduce the amount of cosmetics we use. Let's try to make our own at home. It's not crazy. Look here. For more info, click here.
See Benno's take on it here.
No wonder they all have these donations. Yes, cosmetics are dangerous. Thanks for this post Clare.
Hi Clare,
I clicked on the first link. Now I am being told to put cocoa and oats on my face. Is this a sensitive thing to do in a world full of hunger?
(Happy I am a man. Although I am now prevented from kissing a lady wearing ‘lead’-lipstick. Damn…..)
What a shame:
“Ester Lauder donates a portion of their profits to fighting cancer. However, they are selling products with chemicals that cause cancer.”
Cosmetics is another example of how somebody is profiting from people’s complexes, insecurities, and widespread gender inequality.
Do you know about the skin-whitening stuff? It’s advertised for girls from, say, India who are made believe that having a lighter complexion would bring them a better husband. (!! Double bs!!) Needless to say, that stuff is very dangerous to the girls and I bet is no friend of the environment, either.
I agree Giedre. Using the least amount of products is preferable, and protecting young girls from the notion that their a lotion or potion for ever minor flaw is important.
The skin-whitening stuff makes me laugh. Irish people want to look tanned and Indian people want to be paler. It’s nuts, and particularly dangerous too as the video above highlights.
If you want to find out the relative toxicity of the products in your bathroom cabinet, check out the CosmeticsDatabase.org. I did, and while I’m not doing too badly (I tend to go for natural stuff), I am going to be adjusting my shopping habits.
Interesting point, Johan
I reckon the oatmeal on your face would be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the stuff women currently use. So, it would be better for the developing world in that sense. 
Did you guys know that women pay more for cosmetics than men do too? http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0603/1224271745656.html
@Clare,
That is because companies know that women have holes in their hands.
I don’t get it Johan.
Me neither….
I better remain quite.
On a more serious note, I was serious about the food people have to wrap their faces with. So should we now go from buying toxic lotions to cocoa that was picked by child laborers?
With this example I just want to make clear how complicated and difficult solutions are.
It’s complex alright, Johan. But, I still think natural products are better for the planet and developing countries overall. Thanks for your comments.
Clare, I am a living example of what you’re saying here! Greetings from the regional hospital Limerick. My skin disorder is thanks to what you are mentioning above and I had to stay overnight and maybe even till Tuesday!
Hope we are still able to meet next weekend. all the best, Helena
this one made my eyes pop
“Ester Lauder donates a portion of their profits to fighting cancer. However, they are selling products with chemicals that cause cancer.”
i really thought they genuinely care about people. but why didn’t they remove the cancer-causing ingredient from their product?