What's lurking in your compact? Annie Leonard will tell you.
Annie Leonard and Free Range Studios are back with a new installment in their The Story of… series.
Thanks to Nathaniel Janowitz for posting their newly released video, The Story of Cosmetics, on Elephant Journal and giving me the heads up. The new short covers point # 4 in The Five Feminist Criticisms of Beauty.
For more, read the Daily Femme’s article, Lead in Lipstick ain’t a Myth and other Horror Stories about Your Cosmetics.
Wow I never knew Pantene Pro V contained that many chemicals that are so toxic. I use that product! Its very sad how the people in charge of distrubuting these products dont care about he human population and health. These products contain chemicals that can cause cancer and babies shampoos have them also, thats not right. My mom has always made me buy deodorant that was”organic” now I know why.
Comment by Delyla M. — October 20, 2010 @ 3:51 pm
This video was extremely informative and frightening at the same time. The government should step in and regulate the cosmetic industry because it’s hurting everyone and no one is paying attention. I’m sure changing the ingredients in the products might cost a little more for the companies but they can afford it since they are huge.
Comment by Dalal C. — October 20, 2010 @ 11:38 pm
I’m really surprised at the fact that the government doesn’t do anything about these beauty products. For years, I would read the ingredients on shampoo bottles and bottles of body wash wondering what those ingredients actually were; but I always told myself that they must be safe because there’s no way these companies could sell unsafe products. Now I know the truth, and it’s frightening. It worries me greatly that my health is in jeopardy all due to the fact that I feel the need to look good everyday. I’m definitely going to start buying “green” products from now on and using less toxic products.
Comment by Sharon R. — October 20, 2010 @ 11:44 pm
This video was truly eye-opening. I had no idea that the FDA does not regulate the cosmetics industry whatsoever. It’s truly disturbing to know that the cosmetics industry is making their own rules and deciding whether or not to follow them. The part revealing the hypocrisy of Estee Lauder really stuck out and made me consider all of the other companies using similar marketing tactics. From now on I will only use green products!
Comment by Jennifer Edgerton — October 20, 2010 @ 11:45 pm
Wow, this is really eye opening. I thought that there were much stricter regulations for these types of things not to be available for the masses to consume. This is very disturbing and makes me feel that I need to be much more altert and careful.
Comment by Joshua. S — October 21, 2010 @ 9:14 am
It’s amazing all the toxic things that we are subjected to in our day to day lives. I had no idea that major companies like Pantene Pro V had so many chemicals in their products. Because the cosmeptic industry is such a powerful and indemand industry, they don’t have to play by the rules as much as other more heavily regulated companies. This has really opened my eyes, and even though I already use organic toothpaste and shampoo, I am going to look into green make up.
Comment by Karly R — October 29, 2010 @ 9:43 am
Thank you for the video, it was extremely informative. I can’t believe that anyone can write organic on the label…I thought they had to be inspected. I’ve already shared what I’ve learned with my mom. We must change the system. -Leora S.
Comment by Leora Sheily — April 17, 2011 @ 8:48 pm
My dad is a makeup artist and has spent the last ten years trying to stop using products that have harmful chemicals, however, his biggest battle hasn’t been not using the product, but finding new, SAFE products to use. Like so many problems, government regulation only extends as far as their bank account does. Sad.
Comment by Danielle G. — April 19, 2011 @ 4:59 pm
It’s upsetting that the FDA probably won’t intervene in the production of these productions until something extremely severe and fatal happens.
Comment by Adriani T. — April 21, 2011 @ 12:52 am
The chemicals in some of these products sounds like they could kill small animals. The government really needs to clamp down and impose stricter regulations for products like these.
Comment by Shawn S — June 1, 2011 @ 10:54 pm
I found most interesting the irony in Estee Lauder’s campaign of supporting breast cancer while causing cancer through their products with the use of chemicals. Many products tend to support certain causes while failing to acknowledge that they themselves are part of the problem. It is difficult to not use these toxic products when that is the only thing on the shelf and the public remains uninformed, but maybe taking a closer look and being aware through videos like the one above can help
Comment by Tiffany Majdipour — November 1, 2011 @ 11:58 am
Such an informative and interesting video! I really hope some changes will be made. I for one know that I will support them. I just kills me that nothing has been done yet. Hopefully now that more people know, maybe we can do something about it.
Comment by Tandis Shams Fard — November 7, 2011 @ 5:04 pm
Wow, i never knew so many chemicals are snuck into our bodies every day. I found the bit about Estee Lauder’s campaign of supporting breast cancer while using products that cause cancer so ironic and only more proof that this is industry really doesn’t care about health, it only cares about money.
Comment by Erin K. — November 7, 2011 @ 5:54 pm
I did not know that the products in my bathroom were made out of toxins that relate to cancer. A family member was diagnosed with cancer, I do not want not be buying products that support that disease. this is ridiculous how the industries look passed the dangerous chemicals in our beauty products, money over rule health.
Comment by bianca castilo — November 7, 2011 @ 7:48 pm
This video was really eye opening. I’ve never thought that all the products that I use every day are toxic and we do not have any strict rule to prevent these companies.
Comment by Negar Azadbadi — November 10, 2011 @ 11:05 pm
I was already aware that no matter what shampoo products I used, no matter how much shiner or fuller the bottle claims that my hair will be, all I did was wash my hair. However, I didn’t know that the toxins used in the ingredients were that dangerous to human health. Also, I love Pantene products 🙁
Comment by Bridget T. — November 26, 2011 @ 1:26 am
The toxins that are found in cosmetics is something that a lot of us “know” about, but choose to ignore. We would rather risk the chance than walk out of the house with a bad hair day, or with no eyeliner (I for one have been COMPLETELY guilty of this sort of thinking), because we can’t directly see the negative results of what we are doing to ourselves. Also, while we know that these things aren’t good for us, we’re still very in the dark and WHY they aren’t, and just how dangerous they are. Annie Leonard’s videos always take matters that seem complicated and almost impossible to understand, very simple and are chalk full of information. This video was no different, providing facts that one just couldn’t ignore in order to show that perhaps there are things more important than having that “perfect shine.”
Comment by Nisha Chauhan-McGrath — January 17, 2012 @ 6:52 pm
A few years ago, when I heard about the health issues related to the constant use of Parabens in moisturizers I began a search for Paraben-free moisturizers. At the same time, my budget was constrained so I could not afford to purchase department or specialty store products. I looked for Paraben-free moisturizers at my local drug store. And I was surprised at how difficult it was to find such products. I eventually found one facial moisturizer and one body lotion that did not contain Parabens and did not cost a fortune. But this is a sad example of what Annie Leonard discusses when she points out that even shoppers with the best of intentions are often stymied when faced with the products readily available and offered by the major corporations. They offer what is cheapest and easiest to produce and store, not what is best for the consumer’s health. When I looked at the EWG.org November 30, 2011 list of companies that had fulfilled the Compact for Safe Cosmetics pledge to make safer products and earned the title “Champion†from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the list included hundreds of companies, but neither Proctor & Gamble nor Johnson & Johnson, both manufacturers of commonly used personal care products in the USA, were on this list. Just as socio-economic status is currently the determinant of the quality and safety of one’s housing, socio-economic status is becoming the determinant of the quality and safety of one’s personal care products. This is why, as Leonard points out, we need government intervention in this important area.
Comment by SandraR — January 17, 2012 @ 9:28 pm
I never knew that companies could say that their products were natural or organic with out actually being true. I thought that when I was buying organic natural products I was being smart and not using regular shampoo or lotions which I assume had more chemicals. The FDA needs to regulate this toxic chemicals that are put in our everyday products. So we can know what effects they might have on us in the long run. Thank you for making me aware .
Comment by Mirian M — January 19, 2012 @ 9:24 pm
Great informative and eye opening video. I always knew that such products were too good to be true. My cousin loved using herbal essence until one day she found a condom inside the bottle. This just shows what a poor job of regulating FDA does to keep products safe for consumers. Aside from that, I never knew that beauty products could harm us this badly. I thought by using organic products I could escape, but I guess not. This opens our eyes to what a messed up system we support.
Comment by Sahar S. — January 24, 2012 @ 10:18 pm
Although many of us know that there are toxins, not only in cosmetics, but also in our processed foods, as well as our cleaning supplies. Additionally, in recent months, there has been an outcry about farmer’s markets who claim to have organically grown produce, when in fact, it is not. I, too, am guilty of contributing to and buying many of these products. But we can change the status quo if we join together. It all comes down to two things. One, companies who sell these toxic products want high profits margins, at any cost. And two, as long as consumers keep buying their products, they have no reason to change. Government isn’t going to step-up to the plate to regulate these companies unless we, the consumer’s, take the initiative to make our voices heard. First, we can write, phone, tweet, or email our congressional representatives until they are inundated/overwhelmed by our sheer numbers. This same campaign was just used over censorship of the Internet this past week and the protest worked. Second, boycott. Do not buying these companies toxic products. They must either change or go broke. Yes, it’s inconvenient, and is a little more work, but aren’t we worth it, isn’t our planet worth it, aren’t future generation worth it?? Knowledge is great. But change means taking action, not just giving lip service.
Comment by Suzy D — January 26, 2012 @ 4:56 pm
While it concerns me that there are so many toxins in our every day products, what concerns me more is the general apathy in regards to it. And that goes for me as well. My friends and I often talk about how bad various foods or products are for us but still keep using them. I can’t count the number of times we’ve talked about mystery ingredients in fast food while noshing on fries going “I know, but they’re SO good!” or discussing lead and other chemicals in our lipstick replying “I know, but I would DIE without my color!” It sounds like we’ll die WITH our color too!
I think our problem stems from the lack of immediacy in our building health problems. Using lead-based lipstick may cause us cancer ten years from now – but not tomorrow – so we can’t understand the magnitude of what we’re doing to ourselves. And somehow we can laugh at people in the 50s not understanding the dangers in aerosol cans, or their own problemed products, but we can’t seem to equate that to what we’re doing now. In 50 years people will laugh at our ignorance.
The video makes a great point, though, when it says it’s the people in government – especially the FDA and they’re offshoot committees – who need to start making a change for the betterment of society. But without nudging from the people who use the products the companies will have no incentive to fix their shortcomings. Our apathy (largely based on feelings of lack of control/power) will only validate their actions. As a whole people need to band together and show the big corporations that we won’t accept these harmful products anymore.
Or at the very least we should continue sharing this video.
Comment by Antonia C. — January 30, 2012 @ 10:54 am
We can choose to be beautiful without using any. Love that sentence. What don’t we make that the solution? Once we realize that women are more beautiful without all those extra stuff and stop using them, the companies will do whatever to gain their costumers back. So they will be forced to use non-toxic substances to make people go back. Right! Women will never take that. But I think it could be a possible awareness to the companies. This way we tell them that look, you want us to use your product and pay for them and come back, but we have a condition! Make them with fine safe products, and we will buy them.
Comment by MATAN P. — January 30, 2012 @ 2:52 pm
This was very informative. It is sad to say that clearly the government knows that all this chemicals in the products are bad. However, they don’t care enough to regulate it and make products better for us. It is tough to find products that are organic because even those products can still contain chemicals. The government won’t make a change so we have to know what products benefit us and take the time to look for something better. Hopefully within time the FDA can take bigger steps are advancing new better products.
Comment by Juliana C. — February 3, 2012 @ 10:40 pm
I wasn’t aware at all how completely unmoderated and unregulated the cosmetic industry actual is. I currently feel like a sack of toxins waiting in a cancer-distributing line. This is unethical and social irresponsible on part of the cosmetics industry. Swift and effective action is necessary in order to preserve health in the masses.
Comment by Taja Eddahbi — February 6, 2012 @ 11:58 am
FDA needs to do a better job. It is sad how companies can sell us things that will actually kill us or give us cancer. Like is money really worth people dying for. I guess spending less money on cheap labor, and cheap toxic resources to manufacture their wares is more important than spending an extra small amount of money for research on how to make a product that is sustainable. Not only is it killing us but everything around us. We take toxic materials, use them. Now the toxic is in our body, then we dispose of the materials, throw in trash, flush down toilet, etc. which leads back to the wildlife poisoning plants and animals, that we may eat in the future. Just an endless cycle of destruction.
Comment by Payne T — February 6, 2012 @ 10:45 pm
Oh Shoot! Have I been covering my body with all the chemical? I thought I was being precautionary enough with stuff I buy and use for my body. I tried to use organic, natural products believing that they are a bit better for my body and the environment. However, it is disturbing to find out that they do not mean anything, and actually natural, organic products do cost more. So this means eco-friendly, safe cosmetic products cannot be accessible to the poor, and the poor has no choice but to use cosmetic full of toxins. Thus, government and its agencies i.e.) FDA should step into formulating and manufacturing cosmetic products so that companies such as P&G and Estee Lauder would make products that are less harmful, dangerous to users at an affordable price to everyone. Also, consumers have to be more conscious about what they are using on their skin, hair, and nail, and they need to protest by boycotting those products that contain toxic chemical. So that those big brand companies produce more healthy, safe alternatives.
Comment by Jin Min — February 7, 2012 @ 12:49 am
This video is so horrifying! Especially the part about baby shampoo being toxic. To think that we get so many toxics put into our body as a baby and even before we’re out of the womb! And it sounds like this would be a really easy problem to fix, just have the FDA watch what they’re putting into the shampoos. This has inspired me to start shopping for beauty products with much fewer toxins in it.
Comment by Lauren B — April 3, 2012 @ 1:35 pm
It was really surprising to see how companies maneuver their rights in order to trick the consumer as well as the lack of regulation on the governments end. The main function of the government is to protect its people and it is evident that it’s failing to do so. To think that trusted brands that we use on our children are harmful is really an eye opener. Interested to learn more, I grabbed my Head & Shoulders shampoo and I turned the bottle to the ingredients list in order to see what ingredients were responsible for evading dandruff. Similarly to the lady in the film, I noticed that there were plenty of random ingredients with scientific code names. I was shocked to find that the shampoo company that has gained my trust for all these years and have convinced me to be “Healthy†for my scalp is actually jeopardizing my health. It comes to show that you really can’t trust many people these days. Moreover, people today fail to scratch the surface of the alternative motives of companies, simply because they don’t want to believe the truth. Now, I am going to make a concerned effort to find healthier options not only for my shampoo, but also for daily hygienic items such as deodorant and cologne.
Comment by Benjamin B — April 16, 2012 @ 9:12 am
This article really opened my eyes to all the products I use on a daily basis. Its crazy to think that even your shampoo is harmful and cause problems for you. I didn’t know that they could just say whatever they wanted in their labeling. There definitely needs to be some laws on these advertisings. The FDA really needs to do something about this. This video has taught me to be more careful the next time I go shopping for products.
Comment by Melody A. — April 25, 2012 @ 11:12 am
Wow. It’s always horrifying and amazing to find out just how much all of the things that we use or are surrounded by on a daily basis can end up hurting us. From what we eat, what we wear, and now to what we put on our bodies can be dangerous for us.
I always try to take good care of my body. I eat well, I somewhat attempt to regularly get exercise, and I try to stay out of the sun if I can. Anything I put on my body is just an effort to keep my skin or hair healthy. However, before watching this I had already known that some products can be harmful to your body, despite the bullshit the FDA regularly vomits out in order to convince us otherwise. And I’ve even made an effort to use safer products. For example, rather than using lotion, I just use olive oil as a moisturizer at night. But now, I have to worry even more about what is or isn’t safe for me?
It’s quite discouraging to realize that the sunscreen you think is protecting you from the effects of the sun can in fact be harming you. I’m just glad that there are websites out there who already have the information necessary for me to make wise decisions when it comes to what products I buy. However, I wish that the FDA would create stricter regulations that would make such websites unnecessary.
Comment by Richard Escobar — April 28, 2012 @ 3:34 pm
I find it most interesting that most companies claim they are trying to “fight cancer” when their products can cause it. I honestly do not think the government, FDA, or any higher power really cares what toxins go in and out of our bodies. I am sure it is evident to most people that their main concern is money. I have to say I was really surprised to learn about all the nasty chemicals that are in our everyday products. I myself use about 12 products a day! When I really got to thinking, it is just sad why people use such products in the first place. We have been socialized to do so. Most people will not stop using these harmful products after learning about what is in them. Why? Because today, fitting the social standards of beauty are more important than ones health.
Comment by Holly A. — May 5, 2012 @ 4:26 pm
I participated in the Sustainable Works program in the fall, and we watched the original Story of Stuff video during one of the meetings. It was a fairly long video (22 minutes, I believe?) but I found that my attention rarely strayed. This consumer culture is destroying our world…and, our bodies. How on earth is it okay that we willingly put these toxic products into or onto our bodies? How is it okay that we as a consumer population are ignorant of the danger we are putting ourselves in? It’s sad that safe alternatives are few and far between…our decisions are largely made based wholly on information we get from labels/advertisers (consumer trust). Our knowledge is dictated by those who are seeking to make a profit/sell products, and to do that, they must intentionally mislead/choose to disclose as little as possible about the cheap and harmful ingredients they sell. But it begs the question — even if these labels were to disclose their potential harmful effects, would that stop the majority of consumers from purchasing them?
Comment by Lyndsay Aronson — May 7, 2012 @ 10:02 pm
This video thoroughly scared the bejeezus out of me. I literally went through every cosmetic/hair care product I own and googled their name with “dangerous” next to it. I hadn’t known that my deodorant has so much aluminum in it and that’s scary because i know that my body literally sucks up every product I place on it topically. What disturbs me the most is that there is hardly any discussion about topics like this. I hear about birth control and gay rights more than I hear about the rights that health that should be given to each and every human being. Instead, people are being deceived into thinking that their “natural” and “herbal” products are as harmless as a baby bunny. My deodorant poses “pH balanced!” on the front and has a little daisy there to make it seem like it’s not a threat to anyone’s health. It is.
Comment by Stephanie Farzam — May 14, 2012 @ 8:01 pm
The FDA is a joke and would be more organized and powerful if it were run by a group of monkeys. The FDA is constantly making compromises with huge corporations who give them money to keep quite and to pass the inspection on their products. What is the point of even putting “FDA approved” on food and products anymore? Seems like everything they have approved us if most likely to kill us. Leave it to capitalism to poison innocent, ignorant people for the sake of making a cheap buck.
Comment by Melody S. — May 27, 2012 @ 6:33 pm
It seems that companies are more concerned about making money than they are about the safety of our people. It is really sad and unfortunate that we live in a society like that. This video made it clear that it is not us that gets to pick what we want, but the companies that decide what to put on the shelves. It is amazing that the people in charge of these companies don’t make the decision to fill the shelves with more people friendly products that contain fewer chemicals when they are using these same products. I think this speaks very loudly about our society, reinforcing the importance of money and individual profit. Although this video provides us with knowledge of what is happening, it is not unless we take action that change will start to take place.
Comment by Julianne Insogna — May 28, 2012 @ 12:21 pm
I found this to be very eye-opening. This is just another article to stress the point that major corporations don’t care for humans, they just care about making money. It’s amazing how far people go for beauty. We are going as far as self harming. We are using toxic products just in the name of beauty. People need to be aware of the products they are using. Some of these products are linked to cancer and other illnesses.
Comment by Mary Marrone — May 30, 2012 @ 12:59 pm
After reading this, I was really shocked and scared. Before going out, I put various cremes and conditioners in my hair, various different types of makeup, and lotions, perfumes, sprays, etc. My dad once told me if I’ve ever considered how dangerous these things were to my body? While my sister and I laughed at him, this totally opened my eyes to all of the harms that we are doing to “beautify†ourselves when in essence, we are just killing ourselves! Like everything else in our society, money is the motive. Huge corporations are willing to put men and women, even children, in harm for profit. This is extremely sad and must be revealed to people as I think, many people are blind to this and the harms of our beauty products.
Comment by Yasmine T. — May 30, 2012 @ 1:03 pm
I find it so shocking that there are so many chemicals out there that are harmful but have not been banned. Women especially use so many products that contain so many harmful chemicals that it’s really dangerous yet I know many of them who do not care and continue to put on pounds and pounds of makeup on their face. I’ve actually had a couple of my friends tell me that they don’t care if it’s harmful to their body, as long as they don’t look hideous when they walk out the door. I have watched the story of cosmetics many times, and every time I watch it I get more and more disgusted. After this video though, I’ve paid more attention to the products I use and make sure I use the least makeup I possibly can. A really good site to check the toxicity of your products though, is http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ all you have to do is type in your products and it tells you what the harmful effects are.
Comment by Mitchelle Bareng — May 30, 2012 @ 2:32 pm
This is such a great video I going to go to the co-op in Santa Monica and see if I can get some homemade shampoo or something. I just sent this video to a bunch of friends and family. The government and the cosmetic industries needs to stop worrying about money and think a little about our health. The video said that these chemicals are also found in baby shampoo I can’t even believe that. We should be aware of what we put in our bodies and women should not be worried so much about how they look. I feel as if women should stop buying all these products and putting all these chemicals on their faces but it all begins with the media so we should all be aware of what were consuming in the media and our bodies.
Comment by Bryan A — May 30, 2012 @ 5:06 pm
I am amazed with all the information that was provided in this video. Not only is food being chemically made, but cosmetics as well. Yet, some of us do know that beauty products contain hazardous chemicals that affect our health, but we still purchase them. I was stunned the most when it was stated that there is no official regulation from the government that protects us from these chemicals that are wondering in our beauty products that we purchased frequently. Simply, that is just wrong. I had no idea that this was the case.
Comment by Elyzabeth A — June 26, 2012 @ 12:19 pm
Ok so i work with a civil attorney who works with prop 65 and works with getting products with lead and DEHP. I know so many products with cancerous material inside them. But since i do research on such a case i know that using pantene shampoo wont give u cancer. You would actually need to eat products with lead and/or DEHP to even get a 1% of this cancer in you. Its still surprising that the FDA does nothing. We cant all just go home and throw away everything in our bathroom cabinets.
Comment by Samina Abgin — October 17, 2012 @ 2:06 pm
This video was very eye opening. I had no idea so many of the products I use daily contain toxic chemicals. It’s a shame that making money overcomes the safety and healthy of others when it comes to the government. It’s also sad that all these big companies that use make these products with toxic chemicals are able to easily get their product around and make it known, versus a smaller green company. We are slowly damaging our health without realizing it, and it is not like the companies are even concerned. Money is their motive. The FDA really needs to take control of this issue, I’m surprised they haven’t already.
Comment by Nadia A — October 17, 2012 @ 2:25 pm
Being part of Sustainable Works on campus at Santa Monica College, I have recently been educated about all the chemicals in our everyday chemicals. It is sad how we are not only running our lives by using these harmful chemicals, but we are also harming the planet, the place we call home. Many of these products cause cancer, brain damage, and harm reproductive organs. We are unknowingly buying thee products and we do not know that they are damaging to us. Our world is a lot about making money and what sells. Companies do not care about our health or the status of the Earth. They only care about making millions. Using these toxic chemicals is the norm for industries. There are no laws to stop using these toxic chemical in our everyday personal care products. FDA does not regularly regulate cosmetic products. The cosmetic industry is the one making the rules and is the one that decides whether they should follow them or not. Obviously these industries are not going to police themselves. We must take action and soon!
Comment by Dorsa D — October 23, 2012 @ 10:50 am
It seems that companies are more concerned about making money than they are about the safety of our people. It is really sad and unfortunate that we live in a society like that. This video made it clear that it is not us that gets to pick what we want, but the companies that decide what to put on the shelves. It is amazing that the people in charge of these companies don’t make the decision to fill the shelves with more people friendly products that contain fewer chemicals when they are using these same products. I think this speaks very loudly about our society, reinforcing the importance of money and individual profit. Although this video provides us with knowledge of what is happening, it is not unless we take action that change will start to take place.
Comment by PanteaP — October 31, 2012 @ 9:41 pm
Working as a receptionist within a hair salon I constantly think about chemicals that are thick within the air I breathe while I work my 8 hour shifts. I also have extensive knowledge about the beauty and hair care products that we hold within the salon. It’s funny because our main selling point for choosing our $24 bottle of shampoo over Panteen Pro-V’s $10 shampoo, is that it’s healthier for you because those shampoos and conditioners, like all other things, that are less expensive, have more synthetics hence why they are cheaper. This gives the impression that since our shampoos are more expensive they don’t have all of those harmful synthetics that you’ll find in those cheaper generic brands. But although the dose of toxins may be LESS, they are still PRESENT, and are therefore still unhealthy for you. They’re just not AS unhealthy.
I remember receiving a product knowledge class for Dermalogica, a cosmetic beautifying skin care line, and I asked the representative whether there were parabens within the products (parabens are carcinogens which are cancer causing agents). She gave me this complete bullshit sales person answer about how there aren’t a lot, and how the company’s coming up with new formula’s to faze out those parabens since the people are demanding it. She went so far as too say in a laughing matter, “people are so brainwashed to be fearful of parabens these days that now all of these companies need to figure out new ways to get them out.”
I’m sorry you moron of a salesperson, do people not have a right to be concerned about carcinogens entering their body? No, they do, but this is your propaganda to make people think otherwise so they don’t stop buying your toxic product.
Ultimately that mentality is the fundamental issue business’s have in general. They’re concern isn’t what is in their product or what health effects it might have on the people that consume them. It’s about cutting costs, and maximizing profits. So if that means we need to use more cheap synthetics and toxins to minimize those costs and maximize those profits, then so be it.
The effects? The cleaning lady in my salon had to quit because she was diagnosed with cancer. A stylist I work with developed eczema. Another co-worker gave birth to a baby boy that lacked brain development. The signs are clear, and I should probably find a new job.
Comment by Jasmine F — November 25, 2012 @ 5:59 pm
That video disturbed me on so many levels because of my joy of experimenting with so many different beauty products. The products we select from shelves are made favorable to us from the labels on the bottles. Common sense tells us that if you had the choice, you would pick the one labelled organic, natural, safety approved. However it turns out that these regulations that deem each product’s safety are not regulated at all and only appear to do so. And we cannot lay the blame on the companies either for producing and selling toxic products, but they too are operating from out dated beliefs. Both the consumer and producers have their part to play. It may seem that the companies should be the ones to change and all responsibility should be placed on them. Can you blame them that they are making a profit from their existing products? Yes, I think they should be held personally responsible however they will not listen to reason so you must speak in their language of money. Profit is what determines what continues or discontinues and we are the audience they are peddling to. As consumers, we should be conscious of what products we are buying and support those that are not toxic. With our consumer dollars, we can make a statement that the companies cannot ignore. If a product no longer sells, then they will be forced to reassess and create a new product. As consumers we need to make it clear what we are disagreeing with. And another way to announce your opinions is to try to make the safety regulations enforceable. Write to your legislature. Subject the companies to scrutiny and make them properly regulate what they are putting into their products. Do not leave the boundary up to the company to define. The emphasis is on human safety. Whatever that poses a proven threat to human health should not be allowed, without exceptions (like of minimal amounts is ridiculous!). Even products like baby shampoo, in our baby loving America, contain toxic products. I myself will now have to think twice before trusting those labels of paraben-free and natural ingredients. It is most work and inconvenient, but without knowledge then this flawed system will continue. There needs to be changes so that there are safe options available and hopefully soon in our future, the entire aisle will be toxic-free.
Comment by Sharon K. — November 25, 2012 @ 10:00 pm
AAHHHH! Tell me it isn’t so !! I love my products and now I will be reading all the labels and trying to figure out what’s in everything. I try and eat really well and watch what is in my food, but never thought I had to monitor my shampoo ingredients. I decided to go to Whole Foods and try and restock my cosmetics.
Well, EVERYTHING is two to three times as expensive. Really, $9.00 for deodorant?
I looked at the safecosmetics.org website and I am happy to know that there are many companies that are trying to make everything safer. There are even Congress members that are trying to pass laws to make our cosmetics toxin free. Safecosmetics.org has all the information that you need to make an informed decision when buying cosmetics and beauty products. They have a list of all the companies that sell safe products and links to their websites. Its hard to give up a produce when it works so well, but if it causes cancer or is poisonous, its time to find an alternative. The green companies will have to find a way to make these products more affordable.
Comment by Ellie G — November 30, 2012 @ 7:38 pm
Great video! I have been using green products for a little while and it does make a huge difference. The product lasts longer because you use less, and it really feels wonderful when you are using a lotion that contains 3 ingredients you can pronounce and know what each one of them is. It is time to think of products that we use daily for grooming in the same manner that we consider the food we eat. The unfortunate news is that our government is not looking out for our health and wellbeing. Companies who are using harmful toxins should be forced to have a visibly displayed label stating this (like cigarettes). A good suggestion to the governement/FDA would be to tax those companies for releasing the chemicals out into the planet. Those who are producing safe plant derived ingredients should have tax breaks to generate funds for research by creating further employment opportunities in our country.
Comment by MilaB — December 2, 2012 @ 3:10 am
Great video! I have been using green products for a little while and it does make a huge difference. The product lasts longer because you use less, and it really feels wonderful when you are using a lotion that contains 3 ingredients you can pronounce and know what each one of them is. It is time to think of products that we use daily for grooming in the same manner that we consider the food we eat. The unfortunate news is that our government is not looking out for our health and wellbeing. Companies who are using harmful toxins should be forced to have a visibly displayed label stating this (like cigarettes). A good suggestion to the government/FDA would be to tax those companies for releasing the chemicals out into the planet. Those who are producing safe plant derived ingredients should have tax breaks to generate funds for research by creating further employment opportunities in our country.
Comment by MilaB — December 2, 2012 @ 3:10 am
During my sociology class last year I was able to watch this video and it was eye opening. Yet everything isn’t fixed. When I go shopping I try to purchase organic cosmetics because of what this video has shown. Toxics are every where because even though some products claim to be “organic” when you read the label at the back it starts listing the same ingredients as the regular non-organic products. Here is where the FDA/government need to step in, to regulate and stand by with what products claim to be. Companies shouldn’t be able to sell products that claim to be “organic” yet have all the same toxins of a non-organic product. As she mentioned in the end, it is very possible to change all these current careless making of toxic products. Many people though, have to get educated on how to change current policies, along with knowing was toxic free products they are able to purchase. If we do move on to a society that are toxic free I’m sure prices would lower but many people don’t believe so leaving current toxic products in stores. Movies such as “Bag It” have shown that united communities for change are able to change current toxic products for safer/organic products.
Comment by ElizabethR — December 3, 2012 @ 3:57 pm
Even though many people are aware of all the chemicals products they buy it has become habitual so they seem not be able to detach themselves from the products. I admit I am one of them though I don’t have many cosmetics I do still have my face cream, lotion, perfume, and shampoos, and soaps. And as I looked through my bathroom I kept finding more and more products that are made with toxics chemical products. This video had enlightened me I agree with what Annie Leonard says that if we use toxic chemicals to make the products it would affect the whole environment starting from the factory worker, to the people around the chemical factory, and babies. Some of the toxic chemicals used in the beauty products are carcinogens, neurotoxins, and reproductive toxins. It is scary to know that anyone could put anything in a bottle and put “naturalâ€, “herbalâ€, and “organic†because they are not legally defined. I agree that the FDA needs to regulate every product that is put onto our shelves and also require all chemicals/ ingredients used in the products. I am going to start use products without toxic s chemicals and green products.
Comment by Tasnim D — December 3, 2012 @ 9:05 pm
What a great video! I never knew this, although honestly I am not surprised. It seems that now a days everything causes cancer. Luckily I don’t wear makeup, however shampoo and deodorant is what scares me the most. They seem like they can seep directly into the roots on our head and the pours in our armpits! What is especially scary is the fact that FDA is turning a blind eye to these chemicals. If they would just put forth the effort to test everything that is effecting our bodies and is potentially making us sick, we can be going in a healthier direction in society. Just like many of us are trying to search for healthier foods to eat without the toxins and chemicals used to enhance the color or the size, it is important for us to make the conscious choice and pick the right products, and I will make sure to do that on my next shopping trip!
Comment by SydneyO — December 3, 2012 @ 10:43 pm
Breaking down on my usual day, I’m trying to count down how products I use in a day, and counting its around 10-12. Looking at the numbers I realize that I use a lot of products but I should be most considered about is the how many toxic chemicals I’m putting into my body. This video was extremely informative but also frightening at the same time. I’m all about animals rights so I buy cosmetic products that are clearly labeled “Not tested on animals” It didn’t even hit me that I check what goes it the products and what of stuff I’m putting on my body. People are complaining that going green is expensive, well it’s expensive because they take more time on it and more natural, organic ingredients go into a product. Compared to a produced that’s made in a factory, made in a line, and even the workers don’t know what they’re packaging or what’s in it.
Comment by Mita S. — December 4, 2012 @ 6:40 am
It is really scary knowing that the products I use everyday are harmful and dangeous. It is even sadder that after watching this video I know the affects it has to me and I most probably will use the same things to get ready everyday. If there is any hope for change more people should by the products that are “green†and are not so harmful, it too bad those products arent as popular as the safe ones.
Comment by CharlleneA — December 5, 2012 @ 11:40 am
Every time I go to market to but groceries, or when I go to but make up. I just cant stop thinking about all the chemicals that are in them. It’s sad that most of the stuff we use are harmful. But I recently started shopping from Co-up where most of their products are organic and environmentally friendly. This is such a great video and I give Annie Leonard credit for making it and a series of other ideas like the story of stuff. They’re genius.
Comment by Nazli C — December 5, 2012 @ 6:44 pm
Once I started researching the ingredients in products that we use a few years ago, I made a switch to truly natural products. I’ve tried to explain it to my friends, but they don’t seem to get the importance since it’s just “a little” of the chemical in each product. Well, as the video explains, all the chemicals add up. My skin and hair feel so much healthier now that I use limited ingredients, natural products. I read every label now. I was surprised to hear in the video that the FDA doesn’t even regulate the products being sold. I think we could all be a lot healthier by eliminating these toxins.
Comment by Taylor W — December 5, 2012 @ 10:07 pm
I’ve known for a while now that all these beauty cosmetics and many of our every day products contain such strong, harsh chemicals, however I’ve done nothing about it. Even if I know that the products I’m using are harming me, I don’t stop using it. I, myself and the rest of the women out there are so into our beauty because of our society that no matter what, we wont stop using these products. We don’t understand that were hurting ourselves because we don’t see immediate damages and effects to our bodies. However, it’s unacceptable that it’s allowed for such harmful products to be sold. I mean why cant there be safe products out there? I guess it’s because many of us can’t live without these products that we don’t stop buying them. But if we do stop, maybe companies will start producing products that are healthy. It’s sad to hear women are risking their health to be beautiful. In the world we are living in, beauty seems to be most important. I wish there was something we could do to change that.
Comment by Shaina M — December 5, 2012 @ 10:52 pm
This is extremely true. I saw a TV show that showed what things to use that don’t have chemicals in them. There was a shampoo that had chemical that nobody knew and that shampoo made their hair drop. Many women’s still don’t know what types of chemicals are in their makeup, shampoo, and other things. Later in life women’s still won’t know what are in those things because they won’t tell them. Even men’s have this same problem and we still don’t do anything about it, and there are many other options other than those chemical things.
Comment by InokeT — December 6, 2012 @ 9:12 am
It is really interesting to use products everyday and not think what is inside of them. We do not think for one second if they are harmful to us or not. By just watching one video we come to realize to many things, such us we are using products that have chemical in them on our kids. We would think that it is out fault for buying these products but it is another thing that government is not doing anything about it but instead they are encouraging it. I always thought when it is written on the label that it is organic and natural those are the things I should be buying but little did I know that anybody could come and write those things on the label.
Comment by Daniella L — January 27, 2013 @ 1:48 pm
This video really helped me get a better understanding and was somewhat of a reality check to see what products I’m actually using. It’s scary to think how many toxic chemicals are in my bathroom and let alone around my house with my family. I’m not only blaming myself for not being more aware of the products I am buying as well as what my family is buying, I feel like it is the government’s fault as well for allowing such chemicals to be put in products that are used daily by the majority of individuals worldwide. We “automatically” trust our government and believe that everything they are doing is for the safety of their citizens but I guess not. It’s scary to see this video and hear about how dangerous many of the products we use today really are.
Comment by Shannon Ha — January 29, 2013 @ 3:29 pm
This video is very awakening, it’s making us aware of all these chemicals that are in the products we use everyday. On every product there is always the ingredients, but most of the consumers if not all have no clue what they actually are or what their side effects might be. Therefore we ignore the fact that there even is an ingredient list on the back of the product and use the product anyway. We can blame ourselves, but partially because it’s the government that is exposing us to such products. At the very beginning the intention behind it wasn’t truthfully thought of but with today’s science advancement what are the manufactures still waiting for? Something needs to be done about this, and the first step is for people to be aware and start paying more attention to the products they buy and use on a daily basis.
Comment by Mariya A — February 5, 2013 @ 7:20 pm
I feel that this video was extremely informative and really scary. Women are getting hurt every day because of these unsafe cosmetics. The government should step in and regulate the cosmetic industry because it’s hurting everyone and no one is paying attention. People have to know and people have to stand up and protect our women.
Comment by Ashley H. — February 7, 2013 @ 1:21 am
While watching this video, I became aware that products like Pantene have ingredients that can cause cancer, that is crazy. I used to buy that product, but I am glad I stopped before it was too late. I find it sad that babies are already born with pre contaminants, they were not given a choice. This is really shocking because I love to take care of my skin by using products that I thought were supposed to protect me, but I am finding out they might be harming my health. We the people should fight to obtain laws that will make sure that the products we use are completely safe to use.
Comment by Maria A. — April 1, 2013 @ 8:14 pm
It’s amazing that the cosmetics industry decides their own regulations and then decides whether or not to follow them. Given the very large size of the market, it is no wonder that cosmetics manufacturers will use whatever chemicals they can to make their products more saleable. It’s incredible that the narrator had so many chemicals inside her body and even more so, that babies are being born in the same way. The FDA needs to regulate labeling, definitions, and content of these cosmetic products so people can make the conscious choice to buy those that are genuinely natural, organic, and toxin-free. It is terrible that there is no legal requirements about the way in which terms like natural, herbal, and organic have to be used. This is very misleading to almost everyone; this is one place where government really does need to get involved.
Comment by Lois P — April 17, 2013 @ 12:19 pm
I am so shocked to know that the shampoos and most products we have in our bathrooms have toxic chemicals which lead to cancer. I have been a big time Pantene Proven user since I was a little girl. I cant even believe that the FDA has no right to say or do anything, let alone that there is no laws making sure that we are safe. I need to go in to my bathroom and through away all of my Pantene Proven Products before its to late. I am also shocked to hear that most children shampoos are filled with these horrible chemical that cause cancer. There is so much chemicals in women’s product that it is affecting a pregnant women who knew born child when she gives birth. Wow that is insane. A new born infant should not even have those chemicals in them to begin with. Industry do not care about the environment and safety, they just care about brain washing people and making sure their product has the highest ranking on the market. The FDA wants to make sure that most customers buying their products are not aware of what their using because if they were their products wouldn’t make any sales.
Comment by Sam F — May 16, 2013 @ 1:55 am
I find this video extremely shocking and terrifyingly informative. It is amazing how many toxins and chemicals are put into our bodies daily from these cosmetic products. Something as simple and more innocent as shampoo have many unhealthy chemicals in them. I cannot believe the FDA lets these types of chemicals be sold nation wide, while being somewhat aware of the dangers people are putting in their bodies. The fact that these labels are so incorrect and that the people making these labels and products are willingly lying to consumers is awful. All of the feminist criticisms of beauty correlate: more of these consumers are women because women have to look “beautiful” to have a fulfilling life, leaving little room for choice and control, which requires them to spend large amounts of money to fill their bodies with dangerous and unhealthy chemicals. More videos similar to these have important information that should be shared more often, and not only should women understand what types of things we are putting in their bodies, but we should be making smarter decisions of what we buy and challenge these products.
Comment by Jacklynn M — May 18, 2013 @ 3:36 pm
This video was quite frightening and disturbing to watch. These everyday products that we use to achieve beauty and care is no other than detoxicated harmful products. Whoever knew that Pantene, a shampoo that over 1,000,000 women use to achieve silky nourished hair, is actually the complete opposite of nourishment. The most scary part of it is how much we actually rely on these products, and the government’s refusal to take action in reinforcing such items. It really makes me consider reading labels much more often when purchasing drugstore beauty essentials.
Comment by RoxanaGM — May 24, 2013 @ 6:59 am
Carcinogens, Neurotoxins, and reproductive toxins are all known to cause various diseases such as cancer and brain/ reproduction damage in animals and humans. Even babies are being born pre-polluted by these toxins. It is impossible to live in a world without pollution. However, it is important to understand that we must manage this pollution and try to reduce the amount of toxins we use and are exposed to everyday such as lipstick with led. The most popular shampoos such as Pantene or Herbal Essences often contain the most chemicals and toxins. On another note, it is not the fault of the buyers. Rather, the government is to blame for allowing these companies to create such unhealthy products. Furthermore, these companies often ‘lie’ to their sellers by saying the products are organic or healthy; when in reality, there is no organic substance within the product. It is extremely sad to see that some products like Estee Lauder are selling products with labels fighting against cancer, yet the product itself contains those exact chemicals that are causing cancer in the first place. It is also unfortunate that there are no laws or standards fighting against the production of toxins. The FDA approves almost every product. The lack of regulation allows the cosmetics industry to approve practically every product. They self police their own products. It is now important to make a change and urge the government to take a stand and fight against these toxins, which are destroying the health of many individuals. It is also extremely frightening to now know that all these years of buying products, which I thought were healthy and nourishing, actually turned out to be damaging and dangerous.
Comment by Jacqueline A. — May 25, 2013 @ 6:29 pm
One of the 5 feminist criticisms of beauty is the negative effect it has on a woman’s physical and mental health. The products put on women’s bodies are harmful, and many of them can be linked to cancer. It upset me to hear that the FDA barely regulates the content of products people put on their bodies every single day. I was shocked to hear how many toxins are in female body products. But what shocked me even more was hearing that labels on products don’t even have to be true. Companies can put whatever they want on the front of the bottle. It is upsetting to know that these big corporations are basically tricking people into thinking their products are healthy. I personally like to purchase products labeled as “natural†or “organic†despite the higher costs because to me, it is worth it. Now that I know how erroneous labels are, I almost feel like there are no trustworthy beauty products left!
Comment by GabbyT — May 26, 2013 @ 12:39 pm
Watching this video, I was shocked by the reality of it all. I cannot believe that we do not have a single law regulating the products being sold on the market. I did not realize how big this lack of regulation is. And the fact that the cosmetic industries are making the rules and deciding not to follow them, gives them complete power and control over what we put on our bodies. The scariest part is that these people could care less about the public health, and our choice to be healthy has been taken away from us. This really angers me, because we live in such an advanced world, and we have the capability of finding natural alternatives to these chemicals, yet they still use these toxics in our products.
Comment by Brenda S. — May 28, 2013 @ 9:08 pm
This video was extremely eye opening. It was very informative and shocking. It is crazy to think that the products I use daily are harming me without me doing anything to stop it. I did not think it was possible to state that a product is “healthy, natural, and organic” when it actually is not. False advertisements! The fact that FDA is lacking on regulations is scary. We as consumers need to be aware of what chemicals are in the products we use and make better choices when it comes to shopping for products. We need to find an alternative. We need to be safe!
Comment by Johanna J — July 7, 2013 @ 5:15 pm
This is truly amazing. Who knew that these sorts of chemicals can lead to so many things? I sure didn’t. And that’s the problem. I am sure I am not the only one in the world who doesn’t know about these certain chemicals that are in our shampoos, our make-up, our lotions, etc. that lead to cancer, learning disability etc. And it’s shocking to see how our world is pretty much a testing lab. The people are the rats, and the government is in control. The government is just waiting for one of the rats to die, which leads to fixing the product to make it all better. But that fact is, fixing the product won’t be the solution, it’ll already be too late.
Comment by NatalieM — July 10, 2013 @ 8:17 pm
Watching this video actually scared me. Whether applying make up in the morning, shampooing my hair, or washing my face I never took time to really think about what is in the product. Who knows how many toxic chemicals have gone in my body. Most consumers do not have this knowledge and when looking for a product is completely oblivious. It is sad to know that our government has the ability to regulate this and stop the issue, yet they do not. It really stuck out to me when she said since 1938 they only banned just 8 out of 12,000 ingredients in cosmetics. She has made me really want to take another look at the daily products I use and see if there are things I can live without or change to minimize exposure to the toxic chemicals.
Comment by Kayla A — July 23, 2013 @ 6:28 pm
Sadly this is the story for many of our unregulated products in the market. I think that these companies are also keeping people from exposing their nonsense. It will take a long time to make the government to make standards that will control all of this. There’s a constant struggle in the food and drug industry to keep things regulated and keep people interested long enough to get bills and petitions up to government.
Comment by Margarita H. — July 24, 2013 @ 2:50 pm
I never had a clue that half of my products contained so much toxics, even the so called natural or organic are still bad. It make she wonder what types of damages are being done to myself, especially if i still feel normal.The fact that FDA is lacking regulations really makes me wonder what types of things are in our products that we use on a daily basis. This video was a grand eye opener for me, and makes me think of what are the necessity’s that I truly need.
Comment by JessicaH — July 24, 2013 @ 2:58 pm
As someone who loves her cosmetics and beauty products, this was one of the rudest awakenings. I use at least 6 products everyday just for my make-up regimen. I have to be somewhat aware of what is in my products because I have celiac disease which causes my immune system to attack my intestines when there is even the smallest trace of gluten on or in my body. When I’m buying products I have to stay away from the ones that contain gluten, and usually those products tend to be a bit less unhealthy (talc free, gluten free, etc). I was never aware of these carcinogens put in products, and after watching this video, I got curious and ran straight to my vanity and my shower and started looking… I was shocked to see how many times these names came up in my products. It freaks me out to know how often these things come in contact with my body… If 1/64 amount of gluten can mess with my body as much as it does, I can’t even imagine how badly these carcinogens that I’m putting on myself almost everyday are effecting me in ways I can’t see.
Comment by CrystalY — July 24, 2013 @ 8:08 pm
Everything in our society is deregulated which is why we are facing so many issues whether it’s the economy or cosmetics.No one is holding the government accountable which is why these products are still on the shelf. Companies only want to profit even if it’s at the expense of it’s consumers. I feel like the a big portion of our population is not aware of the chemical hazards in our everyday life which is why there isn’t an outcry. I know most of the older adults in my life get their information from the television. And I know the hazardous chemicals and their effects are not mentioned in the news. Perhaps more knowledge to the general population would influence them to demand these companies to change their what is in their product.
Comment by BrendaR — July 24, 2013 @ 9:47 pm
Personally I do not use many cosmetics but still I used some of them. And I did not know anything about cosmetics could be toxic and harmful. This information is very stunning and unbelievable. I am very sad because these companies were making profit out of women which is highly encouraged by male dominant patriarchal society to make them maintain their body perfectly.
Comment by Chul Woo Park — July 25, 2013 @ 2:11 am
This really opened my eyes a lot! I would of never thought this. This was very shocking the fact that your everyday products that you use can be so dangerous and harmful. Its crazy to know that they actually allow things like this to happen, I mean if they didn’t, then why are they still on the market? People are making money out of non sense things and long as that keeps happening they are going to continue!
Comment by Alexis C — July 25, 2013 @ 7:42 am
I can’t believe that in an eight minute video I have learned something that can actually save my life. I never knew that the chemicals used in our everyday care products like deodorant, shampoo, or hair spray are not at all checked by the FDA if they are safe to use or not. This is really scary because these chemicals that we use every day or even sometimes twice a day can cause us to have cancer. I asked myself isn’t the FDA run by the government and isn’t the governments job supposed to protect their people. And I am also wondering what the FDA is doing with all our hard working tax money, when It should be used to test these personal care products for our safety.
Comment by Benjamin E — September 25, 2013 @ 1:00 pm
It is extremely unfortunate that as a country, we are unaware of the chemicals and toxins that are inserted into the products we use everyday. These substances will all slowly harm us, due to the fact that the FDA does not regulate the ingredients of the products. It is unfair that shampoo bottles and many other cosmetic products have the ability to claim they are “natural” or “organic,” while they are truly the opposite. Hopefully, all companies will reduce, if not completely stop, their use of these toxins.
Comment by Tiffany M — November 7, 2013 @ 10:28 pm
As much as I hate to admit it, I have bought almost all the brands mentioned in this video. After watching the video however, my eyes are definitely opened to all the harmful toxins and carcinogens in these products and the negative effects they can have on my health and well being. I can’t believe that all the products I love so much are some of the most toxic, cancer causing products out there and I didn’t even know it! What’s even more ironic to me is the fact that brands like Revlon and Pantene are major supporters of breast cancer awareness and fundraising but their very products are the ones that could possibly be causing the cancer in the first place. In the future I will definitely think, twice before I invest my money in such products because in the end of the day my health is way more important than any frizz taming or flaw covering that their products claim do for me. I also don’t think I would ever be able to support a company that markets itself as trying to “help” their consumers look and feel good when in actuality their one and only interest is their profit. To me, this is flat out WRONG.
Comment by Chloe M — November 8, 2013 @ 11:19 pm
As much fun as I have using and playing with make up and other beauty, I am not surprised what so ever with the toxicity level in those products. I have several times dared to look at the ingredients on the back of the bottles. And frankly I have not recognized any of the ingredients on there, everything had to many letters to even pronounce. All the products that we use to make ourselves “beautiful” are essentially chemicals. Nothing about beauty products is natural and most likely never will. The government will never restrict those companies, simply because they bring in profit for the country and of course the company. And since this a capitalistic country, the government will never create regulations that will jeopardize profit. What needs to happen is dismantling of the entire system and complete restructuring of the system where products will actually be created to reflect the needs of the people, and a government/system that actually ensures that those changes are created.
Comment by Natalia T — November 13, 2013 @ 5:24 pm
This video was very eye opening! I had no idea that the government did not regulate anything these companies sell to us to make us “prettier”. Society today has taught everyone especially women that it is completely normal to buy these products and to embrace these life-threatening habits all for the sake of being “pretty”. So it comes to no surprise that most people chose to ignore or don’t even know the fact that all the products we put on our body are potentially life threatening. We all buy into their advertising and promises to help people or help causes like cancer when in reality all they do is trick us into providing them with profit. Videos like these are very important because its crucial for people to become aware of all the risks that come with this notion of “pretty” all just to please the society we live in.
Comment by Maritza R — November 20, 2013 @ 12:24 pm
This is a pretty mind-blowing article. I knew these products could not possibly be good for us, but it seems as though they are worse. The everyday products we use on and in our bodies are slowly killing us. We wonder why there are such high cancer rates in the U.S. It is not these products alone, it is the numerous amounts of other factors contributing day in and day out. Not only shampoos, and face cleansers but the air we breathe and the food we eat. We live in a nation full of toxins. Interestingly enough these massive companies refuse to produce proper warnings to consumers. If consumers were aware of the negative effects these products have on people, many of these people wouldn’t purchase the product in the first place. What lies to be more interesting than anything else remains to be our obsession with beauty. Many individuals use these products everyday, all for one reason, to follow an unattainable mold.
Comment by Zachary L. — November 25, 2013 @ 2:43 pm
This video is truly outstanding, I never knew there were so many toxins in such a small irrelevant product that most people use on the daily. I think it is crazy how they are allowed to use these chemicals in their products, which can cause us such harm and they are even allowed to advertise it all over the TV and magazines. It is as if they are advertising an increase chance of getting cancer and encouraging everyone to use these products no matter the affect of them. What is even crazier is that so many women are using these products everyday not know what it can do to them or not even caring about these harmful affects just because they are willing to do anything they can to be what society considers “pretty.†In my opinion, this video is a big deal and it should be shown around the world in which these products are being sold and used. After watching this video I am definitely going to consider cleaning out of drawers and bathroom from all these harmful chemicals and toxins.
Comment by Nicole R. — November 30, 2013 @ 1:18 am
Like the saying goes, money talks. Since corporations are now so heavily influencing the American government. Many lobbyists now, are searching new ways to create a product that is cheaper and less restricted by the FDA’s standards. Sadly, since most cosmetic products are bought by the female population the link between toxic poisoning, cancer, and other related health issues are sadly unmentioned or kept secrete from the general population. Since we do not have clear labeling on our products, many consumers are left in the blind. For that, many of us do not know what we are putting in and on our bodies. However, I see a bigger issue to this dilemma. Since so many products are filled with lead and other harmful chemicals. What option do we have as consumers to pick a product that wont kill us? Since there is limited options to choose from, some of us knowingly and some of us knowingly must now pick our own poison to keep up with one hygiene and beauty. Sadly, we may think we are taking care of our bodies but the cold truth is that we are actually bleaching it to death.
Comment by Giovanni A — December 1, 2013 @ 9:47 pm
Having seen this short video and practicing healthy purchases, I understand the peril of shopping for health and beauty products. Sadly, most people don’t as the video articulates. The people who can make change are us and their effect on their local governments. This video highlights the feminist critiques of beauty in that it’s physically damaging and costly. The mislabeling, or misinformation, contributes to everyone’s health in other departments like the food industry. That being said, this an issues that needs to be addressed because it’s not only about beauty, it’s about health.
Comment by Albert A. — December 2, 2013 @ 7:52 am
Cosmetics are used to “make people happy.” These better cosmetics out there, unfortunately carry these strange unique toxins in them which each have capabilities in causing cancer, learning disabilities among other things. I feel if the media wasn’t so demanding of people to look a certain way, these products would go out of business. Then, people would use other products that actually are good for you, and still provide the essentials. Interestingly enough, these toxins aren’t only in our shampoo bottles, we have them in our food, toothpaste, detergent, among countless other things. We need to make a change.
Comment by Ilan G — December 2, 2013 @ 5:29 pm
Although the video was very knowledgeable and helped me gain much new information , it was completely terrifying as well. I didn’t realize how many chemicals are used in products, especially cosmetics. It is sad to see that big companies are not caring about what goes into their products and especially that the government and FDA does not try to approve them. Us as consumers need to become more aware of what we buy. It is important not to fill our bodies with toxins as well as the environment around us. It is sad especially for women because we are pressured to buy these products, to help us look a ‘certain way’ and if it weren’t for that then these companies wouldn’t make as much money as they do.
Comment by Tatiana Kohanzad — December 4, 2013 @ 3:09 pm
How is it possible that I have used almost all the toxic products mentioned in this video yet haven’t heard once that these products contain toxins. I feel like a big body of waste. For the most part, most of the products are beauty products, which are targeted to women. It seems to make sense now that living in a patriarchy the reason I have not heard about these products including toxins is because men don’t care for the simple reason that they don’t use these products. I am now aware of all the carcinogens in my makeup and bathroom products and am ready to go invade my bathroom, wiping out most of my products. It upsets me to hear that these companies support fighting cancer, yet are throwing in carcinogens and toxic chemicals in their products. It is so hypocritical. Companies like Estee Lauder and Pantene could be the ones causing breast cancer and other types of cancers. I hope to inform more people about the toxins in their daily products and will be more aware of the products I buy trying to decrease the ones with carcinogens. My health is the most important to me and it definitely comes before having a pretty color smacked on my lips or having the newest mascara. Most beauty companies are not making these products with love and trying to make you look prettier, the only think they want is to make a profit, even if that means causing harm to your health. This is wrong and should be stopped.
Comment by Jasmin Lavi — April 20, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
Oh wow. This video was very informative and eye-opening. I knew an ingredient in deodorant could cause cancer but always overlooked it because I assumed I was only using that one product and that I would be okay because it’s that one product only. Boy, did this video prove me wrong! I didn’t realize that all products contain toxic chemicals in small doses and that by using multiple products in conjunction, it creates a large dose daily. I use many personal care products and I am also a big fan of makeup so this kind of hits me hard because although I know it is bad, I know it will be harder and more expensive to buy natural products. But, health is overall much more important than my makeup, especially after hearing all the damage these products can cause like neurological damage. Wow. Also, I found it shocking there is no FDA regulation on personal care products. I knew America compared to other countries like Britain is much more lenient on chemicals they allow in beauty cosmetics and such, but I didn’t know we had no FDA regulation at all and have only banned 8 chemicals. That’s basically nothing. We really need to start becoming aware of all these toxins and stop buying these products, because then companies will stop making them!
Comment by Stephanie Hua — May 5, 2014 @ 8:22 pm
This was very informative. It is sad to say that clearly the government knows that all this chemicals in the products are bad. However, they don’t care enough to regulate it and make products better for women. It is tough to find products that are organic because even those products can still contain chemicals. The government won’t make a change so we have to know what products benefit us and take the time to look for something better. Hopefully within time they can take bigger steps are advancing new better products. I believe that once we realize that women are more beautiful without all of these extra products and they stop using them, companies will do whatever they can to gain their costumers back. In this case, they will be forced to use non-toxic substances to make people go back. Although this video provides us with knowledge of what is happening, it is not unless we take action that change will start to take place.
Comment by Pouya Ghodsian — May 23, 2014 @ 4:14 pm
I found this video very informative on how the cosmetic and beauty industry is harmful, not only by the beauty standards that it helps enforce, but more importantly by the toxic chemicals within the products itself. I’m honestly not surprised the FDA doesn’t asset the safety of personal care or what chemicals are put inside these products; lead, tricolsan, flame-retardants, and mercury. I find it deeply sickening and disturbing that we are treated as a giant lab experiments as these corporations sit back and make profit. In the meantime, we get to use all of these mystery chemicals while we wait and see how they impact our longevity by maybe developing cancer, asthma, or having our future generation be born with learning disabilities. I feel terrible for the workers in the factories and in nail and hair salons; they are being exposed to these deathly toxic chemicals all day long! It seriously pisses me off that the government as done nothing to change the way the industry is running, even when today these chemicals are clearly linked to serious health concerns. Still there are no laws present to get rid of these toxins; they don’t even insist that the entire ingredients be put onto the label. This lack of regulation is dangerous for everyone. Unfortunately, the cosmetic industry continues to make their own rules as they go without the government getting involved. There are even corporations that advertise and trick customers into purchasing their products so they can help fight breast cancer without realizing that those very products contain the chemicals linked to cancer. Sick. If these corporations really want to fight cancer, they should not contain carcinogens, neurotoxins, and reproductive toxins, and instead use cancer free ingredients. But that is not the case, and we get to choose from meaningless claims on cosmetic bottles. I’m someone who takes their health very seriously, and I find out that it doesn’t even matter if I choose products that claim to be natural or organic, because anyone can use those label since there isn’t s set or clear legal definition. It has become clear to me that the most important thing I can do to make a change in my community is to bring awareness by being active, sharing knowledge, voting with my dollar, and taking action in government issues by campaigning and singing legislations I believe are important so we can create new laws. I find it important to remember that we do have the power to change this, we are not alone, and that there are resources available to make this possible. I’m glad that you shared this short and dense clip so that I can pass it along to my friends and family. Lets turn this problem into a solution.
Comment by AngelaC — May 26, 2014 @ 6:40 pm
I’m a girl and of course sometimes i put makeup on, but I didn’t realize how bad all of these products are for you until i watched this video. This video definitely put me in shock. Its so sad how everyday women are putting products on their face that is pure chemical and there is no law about the product being sold. The funny thing is people know about it and still don’t do anything about it. We live in such a advanced world and our products are just made with pure chemicals not natural products like it should be.
Comment by Hasti N — May 27, 2014 @ 12:09 pm
After reading this, I was really shocked how unregulated this system is. I knew that all my make up and care products were made of chemicals, but I genuinely believed that maybe the government is protecting us against dangerous chemicals. I mean if these chemicals actually harmed us, wouldn’t we know by now, and wouldn’t we have done something about it? I guess not. Like everything else in our society, money is the motive and anything in the way of that is unimportant, including the safety and health of the users. Huge corporations are willing to put men and women, even children, in harm for profit. This is extremely sad and must be revealed to people as I think, many people are blind to this and the harms of our beauty products. People do not know what they are putting on and in their body. They may be obsessed with checking the label on all the food they eat, making sure its healthy, natural, organic, GMO free, but when it comes to beauty supply, they don’t think twice about it. When it all comes down to it. The government profits, and the big companies profit, so the only people who can cause a change is us.
Comment by Daniella S — May 29, 2014 @ 2:34 pm
I think this article/video was amazing. I knew that our cosmetics, and beauty products had chemicals in them but I didn’t realize that they were used to that extent and that the brands that I was using contained carcinogens! That’s horrifying. I’ve tried to be as natural as possible with my products, buying organic and all natural makeup and shampoo, but even those products have ingredients that I can’t even pronounce. I suffer with acne and damaged hair, and I always wonder what the heck I am doing wrong. After watching this video, I realized that using these products are really bad for my skin, and my hair! My body has pores all over it. On my head, on my face, everywhere! And I cake foundation on every day, sometimes multiple times a day and expect my skin to clear up? I scrub my head with chemicals every day and expect my hair to be healthy? These chemicals literally sink into your pores and go inside of your body. On top of this, I also use heat protective spray, body lotions, sunscreen, moisturizer, deodorant, perfume, etc. All of this stuff is in my body, and my body is reacting by breaking out into acne and losing hair. This is a huge red flag. My body is warning me that something I am using isn’t good for me. I believe that these products are making people sick. Cancer is increasing, and the amount of toxins and chemicals in our products are also at a high. I don’t believe this is a coincidence.
Comment by Elena V. — June 2, 2014 @ 6:35 pm
This video was very informative and shocking at the same time. I remember learning about this at the Eco Feminism Conference at SMC not too long ago. This video basically showed how the big companies don’t care about their consumers and their health. What I don’t understand is why they are not being regulated if we have proof of all the harmful effects it has. If I remember correctly, women use up to 15 of these products a day and they are all detrimental to our health. If it wasn’t for the media and their manipulative way to have people second guess how pretty they look, most of these products would not exist. I strongly suggest people look closely into the shampoo, eye liner, mascara, cover up, and deodorant for chemicals that are harmful to you before purchasing it.
Comment by Daniel Y. — June 3, 2014 @ 12:59 am
This video was truly eye-opening. I had no idea that the FDA does not regulate the cosmetics industry. It’s truly disturbing to know that the cosmetics industry is making their own rules and deciding whether or not to follow them. I use make up almost every day and now I’m scared of what on my face. I think we should keep an eye on the cosmetics industry and start to regulate their products,
Comment by adrianna heads — July 30, 2014 @ 1:57 pm