Safe Cosmetics and Beyond

A couple of years ago I worked for the Breast Cancer Fund, an org that focuses on eliminating the environmental causes of breast cancer. Essentially, it's all about inspiring women to question the chemicals they put in and on their bodies.

It was a difficult job. I could speak to journalists at great length about the evils of a particular chemical and no one would remember its name. Cancer-causing chemicals don't have names like Killyweed or Toxigoo. They have names like 1,4-Dioxane and Phthalates. Then about a year ago I heard that there was no US naming standard enforcement and that manufacturers could name toxic chemicals by alternate names in order to protect trade secrets. Toxic ingredients become "fragrance" and "parfum". But Canadians put their foot down.

ALL HAIL CANADA: INCI
In 2006, Canadians began enforcing "The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients" or INCI.

The FDA requires that all cosmetic products, similar to medications, be labeled with a standardized naming system in order to better educate the consumer and allow them to know what they are putting on their bodies. While the names of the chemicals remain long and confusing, this seems to be a step in the right direction.

If you'd like to see what is in your cosmetics (including shampoo and lotions), the Environmental Working Group has a database listing the ingredients of many name brand products called Skin Deep.

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