“How everyday beauty products could pose a toxic health threat”
Have you ever stopped to think about how many products you use in a single day? And do you ever read the labels on those products? According to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, more than half of the participants used products containing formaldehyde-releasing preservatives every day—sometimes multiple times a day.
For much of my younger life, I rarely, if ever, looked at the ingredient lists on the skincare and makeup products I bought and used regularly. Even now, as I’m older, wiser, and far more aware, I still use a few products that contain ingredients I’m not completely comfortable with. But I also make thoughtful choices about where I can make meaningful changes for the better. It’s reminders like these that motivate me to keep learning, stay curious, and make more intentional decisions about what I put on my skin—and to share what I discover along the way.
Have a read and discover some truly eye-opening information in this fascinating article published by The Washington Post:
As published in The Washington Post by Amudalat Ajasa (subscription may be required)
Some excerpts from the article:
“Researchers found formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in dozens of everyday items, including 20 body lotions, six body soaps and three shampoos.”
“In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration proposed banning the use of formaldehyde as an ingredient in hair relaxers but failed to meet an April 2024 deadline.”
“Researchers say that the study points to critical gaps in how personal care products are regulated in the United States and their disproportionate health impacts on women of color.”
“We need some regulatory steps to really make sure that we can protect ourselves, because we should not be putting the burden on consumers to figure out these long, complicated names whenever they’re standing in the aisle of a store,” Dodson said.”
