Blog 3:
I've been aware for years that certain cosmetic products are problematic (not to mention the fact that the packaging wastes so much single-use plastic). Watching Stacy Malkan's talk was engaging and encouraging in the sense that there are products on the market that are not as hazardous to the environment, which is great, but I appreciate that she notes that we cannot 'shop our way out of this problem'. Not enough knowledge or attention is given to these issues and the ways in which they affect our patients, or the environment that we all share. It's also important to think about the fact that the containers that these products come in, once disposed of, will sometimes be transported to developing countries where trash piles up - affecting the health and safety of vulnerable populations, and allowing the global north to act as though our trash just disappears. Comprehensive education for patients and our communities, as well as reducing the amount that we consume in general, is necessary.

I looked up two products that I use - one of which I knew would get poor reviews, and the other that I wasn't sure about. My Dove deodorant scored poorly on EWG's Skin Deep site - getting a 3/moderately hazardous rating. My Aveeno face moisturizer had a great rating of 1/low hazard. With all of this, I can't help but wonder how much better some of these issues would be (pollution, excessive consumption, etc.) if we did not live in a society that has such set standards for beauty. 

Comments

  1. Janna LinSeptember 8, 2019 at 4:45 PM

    Hi Kathleen,
    Consumers automatically assume that personal care products/ cosmetics that line the shelves and display cases are given the safety seal by the FDA. But of course the truth is more complex than that, because there are many loopholes that the beauty industry use in order to bypass safety checks. One such effort is by disguising toxic ingredients as "fragrance", thus allowing these ingredients to escape scrutiny. Another way is when companies are allowed to utilize their own definitions of "organic" or "natural", thereby misleading consumers into believing that they're buying products with clean profiles when in truth that is not the case.

    European regulatory bodies are much more stringent when it comes to toxic ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. This is why in Europe you will often find the same items from the same companies, but they're formulated to reflect the stricter guidelines governing ingredients in personal care products.

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    Replies
    1. Winnie.KSeptember 13, 2019 at 11:07 PM

      Interesting rating on Aveeno. It must be the right product. I knew of a patient who had terrible eczema, and the only thing that worked on her was Aveeno Eczema cream. I read of a study that found paraben in breast tumor, and since then, I purchase paraben free hair products. Going through the ingredients in my lotion left me thinking if it was necessary to use so many chemicals to make a simple moisturizing body lotion. I think the FDA needs to regulate chemicals used in beauty products.

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