Dangers of chemicals in cosmetics According to the Environmental Working Group, one-third of all cosmetics products contain one or more ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens.  Among the toxins commonly found are phthalates and parabens, used in perfumes, lotions and deodorants, which have estrogenic properties implicated in breast cancer as well as diethanolamine, a chemical used as a wetting agent in shampoos, lotions, creams and other cosmetics which can react with other ingredients to form carcinogens linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers. 

As You Sow’s actions regarding toxins in cosmetics
As You Sow has worked to remove toxins from cosmetics in four areas:

• Environmental Enforcement as per toluene and formaldehyde in nail-care products
• Strengthen cosmetic safety standards
• Children’s personal care products
• Nanomaterials in cosmetics

Resources

Breast Cancer Fund
Breast Cancer Fund is a national organization focused on identifying the causes of breast cancer and preventing the disease. They are a founding member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental and consumer groups whose goal is to protect the health of consumers and workers by requiring the health and beauty industry to phase out the use of chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems and replace them with safer alternatives.