Yet how natural and “herbal” is it really? Herbal Essences Body Envy shampoo, which ranks a five (moderate hazard) on Skin Deep, contains at least 15 synthetic chemicals, including several linked to allergies and skin toxicity; a synthetic fragrance made of who-knows-what; and at least one carcinogenic contaminant not listed on the label. (More on that soon, including a big announcement from parent company Procter & Gamble).

The point is: the product is certainly not natural or herbal, but it has an extremely effective marketing campaign.  The brand even shows up on sit coms.

To have a free and fair market, we’d need to have full transparency and full information available to consumers about what they’re really buying, so they can make the best choices.

But in a market like this, when the true toxicity of products and even the ingredients are hidden from consumers, the advantage goes to the company that spends the most money on market research and ad campaigns to convince people they’re buying something that will enhance their sense of well being, even if it’s just a dressed-up bottle of the same old synthetic chemicals.

Polices that require full disclosure of product ingredients (including fragrance chemicals and contaminants) and limit the hazardous chemicals allowed in products will not only protect people’s health, they will serve as a tool to educate consumers and help them make smarter choices. They will give an advantage to companies that are already doing the right thing and making safer products.

The true innovation in the beauty industry is happening right now in the natural products sector, where many small, independent, values-driven companies are solving the toxicity problems of the past and figuring out how to make truly great, non-toxic products – products that actually do enhance well-being.

If only we could put that story on a sit com. Until then, policies that increase transparency and open up the information flow are the best bet for leveling the playing field for the independent business community.

Stacy Malkan, 3/11/10

Read more about how P&G revived the Herbal Essences brand by putting lots of effort into the curvy new bottle (and apparently not much thought into the chemicals in it).

So, to set the record straight: The bill (which died yesterday in committee) was sponsored by the Colorado Women’s Lobby, not the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and was an attempt to protect consumers from being exposed to the worst chemicals used in cosmetics.

Contrary to some claims, the bill would not have banned olive oil or any other natural food-grade ingredients, but only chemicals that are already banned from cosmetics in the EU, and which also appear on other authoritative bodies’ lists of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm (EPA, NTP, IARC and NOISH) – about 15 chemicals in all, most of which are not ever used by small companies.

We environmental health advocates are big fans of small, indie businesses, in case anyone was wondering. As SF Magazine just wrote, the activism of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has been a major factor behind the growth of a vibrant, locally-based natural products industry in the Bay Area. For more about why policy action is also necessary, see this Denver Post op-ed by State Rep. Dianne Primavera.

PS: if anyone knows where I can apply for FDA funding to do the agency’s job for it, let me know!

Stacy Malkan, 3/9/10

Miss Conception film

Hair relaxers are among the most toxic products on the market, with 2/3 of the hair relaxers on Skin Deep ranking a 7-10 (with 10 being the worst). The most toxic hair relaxer in Skin Deep is called Africa’s Best “Organic” relaxer for kids! — which goes to show, you can’t trust labels on these unregulated products. And it raises another problem: toxic treatments are being marketed to very young girls at a time when their bodies are most vulnerable to harm from toxic exposures.

According to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, the early and life-long exposure to hair products — including heavy conditioners that contain placenta and other hormone-disrupting ingredients — may be contributing to the high rates of breast cancer in young African American women.  The authors advise parents to avoid using any personal care products on children that may contain hormones or placenta.

Hair weaves are problematic from a health standpoint too — many contain formaldehyde glues, as well as other hazardous chemicals that beauty workers and their clients are breathing in. These products need to get cleaned up so they are safe. Stand up for women’s health by getting involved with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and help get toxic chemicals out of all beauty products.

Stacy Malkan, author of “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry In God’s Hands download .” See chap. 5 for more about cultural pressure and the beauty myth!Alien Raiders rip

Yes, if we want to protect people of all sexes — and, it turns out, species of all kinds — from gender-bending chemicals, we need to keep these chemicals away from females who are, might be, or might someday want to become pregnant. In other words, we have to keep these chemicals out of commerce.

To get an idea of the scope of the problem, see Nicholas Kristof’s piece in the NYT: It’s Time to Learn from Frogs and this CBC documentary: The Disappearing Male.

Sperm counts are plummeting, and scientists note a remarkable decline in fertility rates in industrialized countries.

• Payback buy

But don’t worry, says the beauty industry, it’s just “a little bit” of estrogenic parabens and gender-bending phthalates in the shampoo, lotion, deodorant, perfume and baby wipes. Help give the beauty industry a makeover!

Stacy Malkan, June 30

Thanks to all who helped to organize, participated in and attended the recent tour of the east and west coasts of Canada. Breast Cancer Action Montreal was a most excellent host for four events in Montreal. I presented my talk — The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry – to more than 200 teenagers, including the entire 10th and 11th grades at Westmount High School, and about 300 assorted others. Check out the story in the Montreal Gazette and column by  J.D. Gravenor.
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In Vancouver, I was a keynote speaker at EPIC, the largest green trade show in Western Canada. Here is coverage of the Vancouver Sun. It was a wonderful way to wrap up my spring tour and now I am taking a break for the summer. Until next time!

Stacy

The Girlcott

Say yes to cleaner, greener, healthier cosmetics at The Girlcott on April 18 in San Francisco!

In honor of Earth Day, moregreenmoms is hosting The Girlcott to build awareness about toxic chemicals in our cosmetics and personal care products. So what’s a Girlcott? It’s all about saying yes to safer alternatives, not just saying no to the bad stuff.

Simply drop off your old shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, nail polish, sunscreen and other cosmetics that contain suspect ingredients, then explore a fabulous selection

of safer options.

Don’t miss Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and author of the book, “Not Just a Pretty Face,” who will speak at The Girlcott at 1 p.m.

Toxic or not? See how your old products rank on EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetic safety database.

All the details are on The Girlcott Web site.

, makers of the iconic Johnson’s Baby Shampoo that, according to the label, is “pure,” “gentle” and “the number one choice of hospitals.” It also happens to contain the hazardous substances formaldehyde and dioxane, which are not listed on labels. The two chemicals are known to cause cancer in animals, and formaldehyde can also cause skin rashes in kids who are sensitive to the chemical.

• 1776 psp

Phantasm II movie

• Chicken Run full

What you won’t hear from J&J: Many other companies are already making gentle, pure and wonderful baby products that do not contain known carcinogens and allergens. And that’s what Johnson’s should be doing too.

Check out the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report. Also see ABC News and the Washington Post United 93 video chat with me.

For more information about how the big beauty companies are hiring lobbyists and spinsters to keep themselves unregulated and convince us to keep using toxic products, see my book, “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry.” — Stacy Malkan, 4/6/09

about the airbrushed photo scandal that is making the rounds on the web. “So what, I have a little cellulite,” she said. “How many people do you think are photoshopped? It happens all the time.”

Misery divx

• Phantasm II ipod

Life Stinks full

Looking for Eric buy

You might not believe how much! Check out this enlightening video clip by Jesse Epstein on the New York Times website The All Together move — every young girl should see it, and know the extent to which photos are manipulated in the extreme.

Even famous women are photoshopped to the point of being inhuman. Here’s Jessica Alba as she really looks (beautiful) on the left, and with 10 pounds shaved off and all bronzed up for the photo, in order to sell us… what?  .