“Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry,” by Stacy Malkan, exposes the toxic secrets of the $50-billion beauty industry and goes behind the scenes with the breast cancer activists who are pressuring the cosmetics companies to stop using chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects. The book won a 2008 Silver Medal Award from the Independent Publishers Association, and a 2010 Best of Green Award from Treehugger.com
CLICK HERE FOR EXCERPTS of the book — five stars on Amazon!
Chapter 1. Indecent Exposure: Are cosmetic chemicals getting inside you? (Yes!) Learn what the latest science is telling us about the chemical exposures in our daily lives and the skyrocketing rates of chronic diseases.
Chapter 2. Not Too Pretty: The search for chemicals linked to birth defects in shampoos, deodorants and hair sprays.
Chapter 3. Because We’re Worth It! Breast cancer activists go knocking on the doors of the world’s largest cosmetics companies to ask them to stop using chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects. Who thinks the companies want to have this conversation?
Chapter 4. Skin Deeper: What else is in cosmetics? Environmental Working Group builds Skin Deep, the world’s largest database of chemicals in cosmetics. The database attracts more than 8 million searches a month.
Chapter 5. Beauty Myth Busters: From the “whitening trend” in Asia to the airbrushed models in the ads, the beauty industry is selling toxic dreams around the world.
Chapter 6. Pinkwashing : A term used to describe the activities of companies that position themselves as leaders in the fight against breast cancer, while engaging in practices that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease. What pink-ribbon leaders Avon, Estee Lauder and Revlon don’t want you to know about the carcinogens and hormone disrupting chemicals in their products.
Chapter 7. Because We’re Worth it Too!
Teens and beauty queens take on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the world’s largest nail products manufacturer.
Chapter 8. Tricks of the Trade: A must-read chapter about the beauty industry’s decades-long effort to keep itself unregulated. Learn how the trade association is organizing against environmental groups and the public interest.
Chapter 9. Unmasked: The author goes undercover as the largest cosmetics companies gather to discuss their plans to fend off regulations for toxic cosmetic chemicals.
Chapter 10. A Healthier Foundation:
There is plenty of good news too! Read about the scientists and entrepreneurs who are innovating safer products and building businesses on the values of health, justice and personal empowerment.
Chapter 11. The Face of the Future: Green chemistry, green politics and the young people who will lead the way to a better tomorrow.
Chapter 12. Extreme Makeover: Let’s give the beauty industry and the U.S. government a makeover! What you can do to take action now!
Articles by Stacy Malkan
Why We Made the Story of Cosmetics, with Annie Leonard – Huffington Post
Petroleum in Perfume, Huffington Post
Roses are Red, Lipstick (Still) has Lead, Alternet
Pretty In Pink? Companies market make-up to girls as young as 3, and the health implications are huge — Natural Solutions magazine
Not So Pretty In Pink; Marketing Toxic Make-up to Teens, Utne Reader
Panic in the Organic Aisle, Conscious Choice magazine
Toxins to be Pulled from Cosmetics, Yes Magazine
Book speaking engagements with Stacy: Jodi Solomon’s Speaker’s Bureau
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Thank you to Stacy Malkin and New Society Publishers for issuing a much needed wake-up call! In an era of big corporations and their trade associations, it can be difficult if not nearly impossible to stand up against the powerful current of popular opinion. It takes tremendous moral courage and energized focus to do what is right and just, and I admire Ms. Malkin for blazing the way for the rest of us. I look forward to reading the book in depth, checking out the Environmental Working Group website and sharing this information far and wide. My hat goes off to you. Thank you.
June 1st, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I love the idea of all natural and organic cosmetics, skin care, etc… However during these stressful economic times, how can I justify throwing out all my cosmetics/skin care just to purchase ones that are a) organic and safe; and b) too expensive for my pocket book right now?? Maybe they should have a trade in like they do with guns, eh? So an approved organic cosmetic company would let you trade in all your dangerous make-up, skin care, soaps, deodorants, etc..for similar products from their line. Does that make sense to anyone??? Just saying.
October 23rd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Most a good post and supporting comments here. I would like to point out that others have made a different case, especially in terms of natural health. Have you found supplemental information on the Web, and would you point me in that direction?