Cosmetics companies asked to own up on chemicals

The Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) has created an online checklist on which they list cosmetics companies that meet certain requirements in the chemical contents of their products. This list is intended to give consumers who want to avoid potential toxic make-up and instead use more environmentally friendly brands the opportunity to see which companies uphold certain values in their production. WEN determines whether or not these products meet their standards by administering a questionnaire to companies wishing to join the list. The responses are then put online so anyone who buys cosmetics can make informed purchases.

WEN cosmeticsAt a minimum, companies on the checklist must not contain parabens, preservatives linked to breast cancer, or synthetic fragrances which often contain phthalates that interfere with human reproduction. Among other criteria for the list are: bleaching agents meant to whiten the skin, but are actually poisonous and banned in the EU; detergents that replace soap and cause problems ranging from skin irritation to cancer; Retinol or natural vitamin A that in large doses can harm skin and hurt fetuses in pregnant women; and climate friendly packaging that avoid pollution and the leakage of packing chemicals into cosmetic products.

Interested readers can find more about criteria for the checklist on the WEN website as well as the list itself.

Read also:

Written on 25 March 2009.

  Resize text  text larger | text smaller
email page email page

In the same section:



Designed by Resonant Media -- Additional coding by Francesco Longu