February 14th 2025.
According to a recent study, a staggering 80% of beauty products marketed towards Black women contain ingredients that have been linked to an increased risk of breast and uterine cancer. This research, conducted by the Environmental Working Group, analyzed over 4,000 products including makeup, shampoo, hair relaxers, and dyes. The results were alarming, with 74% of these products carrying moderate to high health hazards that have been known to cause cancer.
Upon further investigation, the study found that products specifically marketed to Black women with phrases like "for use on melanated skin" contained high levels of these hazardous chemicals. One scientist involved in the study, Alexa Friedman from the Environmental Working Group, explained that "when those products have that marketing language, 80% of them scored moderate to high hazard in our database." This is a significant difference compared to products without this type of marketing, which still showed 74% with moderate to high hazard scores. Despite the small difference of 6%, it is a factor that should not be ignored.
The Environmental Working Group has a free online database called Skin Deep, which rates products on a scale from 1 to 10 based on ingredient and product safety. The lower the score, the safer the product is deemed to be. It was found that hair relaxers are among the most hazardous product categories, but there has been a slight improvement over the years. "One good thing that we did see in between our 2016 and 2025 report is that the average rating for hair relaxers went from an 8, which would be a high hazard in our database, to a 5, which is a moderate hazard," Friedman stated.
One of the main issues highlighted in the study is the limited oversight of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when it comes to regulating cosmetic products and their ingredients. Unlike drugs, personal care products such as cosmetics and shampoos do not require evidence of their safety before being sold to consumers. However, the 2022 Modernization of Cosmetics Act has been updated to improve labeling and disclosure of allergens in these products. "That gives a little bit more power to the FDA to substantiate the safety of personal care products," Friedman explained. "But it still overall falls short."
The report aims to provide solutions for safer alternatives and resources to help individuals reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals and their potential risks of cancer. This not only includes personal care products but also drinking water and household cleaning products. "We are not trying to dictate what someone should or shouldn't use," Friedman clarified. "The goal of this report is to empower consumers to make decisions and find safer alternatives where they would like."
It is concerning to see the rise in sales of chemical hair relaxers in Africa, despite the known link to cancer. However, with increased awareness and access to safer alternatives, individuals can make informed decisions about their personal care products and reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals. This study serves as a reminder to prioritize our health and be mindful of the products we use on our bodies.
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