Great Green Idea: Green Cosmetics: The Beauty of Green Cosmetics is More Than Skin Deep

The Beauty of Green Cosmetics is More Than Skin Deep

Advocates for green cosmetics have expressed the benefits of using these products for many years. But as the real danger of unsafe cosmetics comes to light, it becomes obvious that their reasons go far deeper than aesthetics. Unsafe health and beauty products are causing serious health problems to people all over the country. The good news is that individual consumers, groups and government entities are becoming aware of this danger. They are showing their support of the green cosmetics movement by educating others, buying green beauty products and promoting change.

Teens Determined to Get Involved

Recently, one teen advocacy group that supports sale of green cosmetics made news because of their efforts to effect change. The group openly criticized a major mall retailer for their policy of not hiring what the retailer calls "ugly" models to work in their fashion shows. More recently, the teens objected that the same retailer advertises their latest fragrance by spraying it into the air in their stores and in the mall. Apparently, one of the chemicals contained in the perfume, diethyl phthalate, has been linked to fertility problems in men and developmental abnormalities in infant boys. The same fragrance has caused severe allergy symptoms to customers who have come into the store. The advocacy group organized a formal protest, including picket signs, at the retailer's store in a California mall.

Modeling Goes Beyond Appearance

A well known green cosmetics company raised concerns about participating in a recent fashion show. The designer chose headbands that were made of hair as an accessory for the models to wear at a Spring collection showing. It has been reported human hair is being taken from girls and women against their will for use in the beauty industry. Although their green beauty products are used in fashion shows around the country, the green cosmetics company enforces a strict policy of declining to sponsor fashion shows where hair extensions are used on the models. Their reasoning is that there is no guarantee that the hair used for these extensions was not involved in hair trafficking. In this instance, further investigation uncovered that the hair used was synthetic, not human hair.

Going Beneath the Surface

Cosmetics and grooming products, such as deodorant and toothpaste, are necessities for good hygiene and to enhance appearance. Yet the more serious reason for choosing green beauty products goes beyond the superficial to affecting the lives of consumers. Studies show that the average adult comes in contact with 168 chemicals from common products. One in five products contains chemicals that cause cancer; up to sixty percent have ingredients that mimic estrogen and disrupt hormone function. Cosmetics that are not made by green cosmetics companies commonly are made with ingredients that cause serious health problems such as cancer and infertility.

Governmental Intervention

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 is the first legislation in 70 years which addresses cosmetic industry regulation. Even though beauty industry generates $50 billion each year, the government has seen the necessity for intervention. Through the efforts of concerned consumers and green cosmetics companies, this Act will require a much larger measure of compliance to safety regulation by the cosmetics industry.