• Only 11 chemicals are banned in cosmetics/skin care in the United States, compared to over a thousand chemicals banned in the European Union. 

• Despite the growth in technology and the use of new chemicals, the cosmetic laws in The United States have only had a handful of small changes in recent years. No significant cosmetic law has been passed or updated since 1938.  To put things into perspective, the last substantial update in cosmetic laws happened when Theodore Roosevelt was president.

• “ Under U.S. law, cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market. “ www.fda.gov

• The word “Natural” is not regulated by the FDA.  So make sure to read the ingredient list, to ensure what you are purchasing is in fact made with only natural ingredients.

• Don’t let marketing fool you.  Plants, fruits and certain colors found in nature are often used on packaging to convey to consumers the product is natural.  Always read the ingredient list to double check.

• Lobbyists fought for the passing of a trade secret law protecting over three thousand chemicals from being disclosed, and can legally be hidden under the word “Fragrance.”  If you purchase a “natural product” that lists Fragrance as an ingredient, be aware there can be a few if not dozens of harmful chemicals hidden under that one word. 

• As consumers, we should have the right to know the exact ingredients in our products.  Always remember we have more power than we think, we can make our voices heard with our wallet and what we choose to support.    

 Harmful Ingredients Often Found In Deodorants: