Letter to the Editor

The primary issue with the regulation of cosmetic companies is that almost all of them are using harmful and toxic ingredients. Some of the ingredients of concern and what products they are found in are formaldehyde which is a cancer causing chemical, phthalates can cause things like ADHD, autism, breast cancer, and cause male fertility issues, parabens are known for disrupting hormones in the body. Some ways to avoid these toxic chemicals: Try avoiding fragrances, avoid products that say “waterproof” and “long wearing” because the chemical dimethicone which makes them waterproof can cause itching and rashes, avoid products that have triclosan in them like deodorants, toothpastes, acne treatments, and some soaps because this chemical can  harm your endocrine system, leading to issues with proper hormone function. Cosmetic companies should have to prove their product safe before people can use it because people should be able to use everyday products without worrying about things like cancer or something that is going to affect the way their hormones work. Cosmetic companies should have to write what toxins are in their products on the ingredient labels so people know what they’re putting on their bodies. The government should have stricter regulations on what ingredients are allowed on the market because more people should know what they’re using on themselves and their kids. Ingredients like formaldehyde, phthalates, and parabens should be illegal because roughly 100,000 people die a year due to the daily exposure to chemicals like these. Using bioaccumulation on a daily basis can cause food poisoning, diarrhea, and other foodborne diseases. I am writing this because I did research on this and I came across a lot of products that use daily, have ingredients in them that can cause things like  cancer, breast cancer, ADHD, autism, etc. I am a teen girl that loves to wear makeup and do skin care and I shouldn’t have to worry about things like this when doing things I enjoy. This is really important to me because like I said before, I love using cosmetics and now I’m scared to use most products. I will definitely be reading the ingredients on every product I buy from now on and make sure they are all safe for me. I think if the government doesn’t eventually ban these toxic ingredients, more and more cosmetic companies will take advantage of this and it will affect more and more people every year.