New Proposed Cosmetic Law and a Shopper’s Guide

In our wallet is a list of the Environmental Working Group’s organic foods recommended for purchase in the supermarkets and smaller markets: The ‘Dirty Dozen’, those foods that should specifically be only purchased when organic. Foods that are as pesticide free as possible are also listed.

Now there’s a shopper’s guide to cosmetics that may be cut out and carried in your wallet; cosmeticsdatabase.com should also be consulted. And read our excerpted paragraphs from the new proposed cosmetics law, HR 5786 below*

SAFER SHOPPING TIPS

• Use fewer, simpler products.  Don’t trust claims like “dermatologist-tested,” “natural,” or “organic.” Read the ingredient label instead.  Take label warnings seriously. They indicate hazardous chemicals.  Look up your products’ reviews at EWG’s cosmeticsdatabase.com.

SUNSCREENS

• Stay in the shade from 10 am to 4 pm

• Wear a hat, sunglasses, & protective clothing

• Use SPF 30 or higher

• Avoid sprays and the ingredient oxybenzone

• Use 7% or higher zinc oxide or titanium dioxide

• Avoid added bug repellent

CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS

• Avoid boric acid and sodium borate in diaper cream

• Avoid 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol in baby wipes

• Avoid toothpaste with fluoride for children under 2

• Avoid play makeup like lipstick, perfume, and nail polish

PRODUCTS TO AVOID
Anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA, and BHA acids

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID
DMDM hydantoin and Imidazolidinyl urea toxic contaminants

Fragrance and dyes
allergies, cancer, nervous system

Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone
allergies, nervous system

Parabens or “-paraben”
hormone effects

“PEG” and “-eth”
toxic contaminants

Sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate
skin damage, toxic contaminants

Triclosan and triclocarban
thyroid and environmental concerns

Triethanolamine (TEA)
allergies, toxic contaminants

With no required safety testing, cosmetics companies can use almost any chemical they want, regardless of risks. Read labels before you buy.

For more information on this list, visit cosmeticsdatabase.com

Hair dyes with ammonia, peroxide, p-phenylenediamine, diaminobenzene; all dark permanent hair dyes

Liquid hand soaps with triclosan

Nail polish and removers with formaldehyde

Skin lighteners with hydroquinone

 

Sponsor: Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] (introduced 7/20/2010)

*‘SEC. 614. COSMETIC AND INGREDIENT TESTING AND SAFETY.

‘(a) Publicly Available Cosmetic and Ingredient Test Data-

‘(1) SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION-

‘(A) INITIAL SUBMISSION- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, manufacturers and distributors of cosmetics and ingredients shall submit to the Secretary (in an electronic format that the Secretary shall determine) all reasonably available information in the possession or control of the manufacturer or distributor that has not previously been submitted to the Secretary regarding the physical, chemical, and toxicological properties of single or multiple chemicals listed on the cosmetic labels under section 613, including–

‘(i) functions and uses;

‘(ii) exposure and fate information;

‘(iii) tests of finished cosmetics; and

‘(iv) any other information used to substantiate the safety of such cosmetics or ingredients.

‘(B) NEW OR UPDATED INFORMATION- Not later than 60 days after the date on which new or updated information that is required under subparagraph (A) becomes available to a manufacturer or distributer, such manufacturer or distributor shall submit such information to the Secretary in the same form and manner as information submitted under subparagraph (A).

‘(2) AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION- The Secretary shall require that any manufacturer, distributor, or marketer of a cosmetic or ingredient (including a fragrance or preservative) make available to any entity purchasing the cosmetic or ingredient (excluding an individual who is a consumer and who is purchasing the cosmetic or ingredient for personal use) all available information in the possession or control of the manufacturer, distributor, or marketer described in paragraph (1), within 90 days of receipt of the request from such entity.

‘(3) DATABASE-

‘(A) INITIAL PUBLICATION- Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, the Secretary shall publish a comprehensive, publicly accessible database containing all non-confidential information submitted under paragraph (1).

Read the rest of the law (or sections of it) at the  site, govtrack.us