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.... about the cosmetics industry
myth or fact
Myth: Cosmetics must be safe if they are sold in supermarkets, drugstore, and department stores.
Fact: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no authority requiring companies to assess ingredients or products for safety and may use any ingredient or raw material, without government review or approval, except for color additives and a few prohibited substances.
Myth: Consumers can read ingredient labels and avoid products with any hazardous chemicals.
Fact: Federal law allows companies to leave many chemicals off labels, including nanomaterials, contaminants, and fragrance components. Fragrance may include any of 3,163 different chemicals and none are required to be listed on labels.
Myth: Cosmetics safety is a concern for women only.
Fact: On average, women use 12 products containing 168 ingredients daily, while men use 6 products with 85 ingredients. Children are exposed to an average of 61 ingredients daily, while the majority of these chemicals have not been assessed for safety by the CIR.
Myth: The FDA would promptly recall any product that injures people.
Fact: The FDA has no authority to require recalls of harmful cosmetics and relies on companies to voluntarily report injuries — manufacturers are not required to report them.
Myth: When cosmetics are applied to the skin, they rarely get into the body,
but any level  would be minimal to make a difference.
Fact: Products commonly contain penetration enhancers to drive ingredients deeper into the skin. People are also exposed by breathing in sprays and powders, and swallowing chemicals on lips or hands. While conducting a biomonitor study of bodily fluids, cosmetic ingredients containing phthalate plasticizers, parabens, triclosan, synthetic musks, and sunscreens were identified.
* Over 500 products sold in the U.S. contain ingredients banned in cosmetics in Japan, Canada and European Union.
* Nearly 100 products contain ingredients considered unsafe by the International Fragrance Association.
*A wide range of nanomaterials (whose safety is questionable), may be common in personal care products.
* 61% of tested lipstick brands contain lead residue.
* 22% of all personal care products may be contaminated
with the cancer-causing impurity 1,4-dioxane, (found
in many children’s products).
* 60% of sunscreens contain a potential hormone disruptor
oxybenzone —  readily penetrates skin and
contaminates 97% of American bodies.
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