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“This book should be read by women and men who have trusted, for too long, the companies whose products get inside their bodies and their minds.” —Ralph Nader, political activist and consumer advocate
Lead in lipstick? 1,4 dioxane in baby soap? Coal tar in shampoo? How is this possible?
Simple. The $35 billion cosmetics industry is so powerful that they’ve kept themselves unregulated for decades.
Not one cosmetic product has to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before hitting the market.
Incredible? Consider this:
- The European Union has banned more than 1,100 chemicals from cosmetics. The United States has banned just 10.
- Only 11% of chemicals used in cosmetics in the U.S. have been assessed for health and safety—leaving a staggering 89% with unknown or undisclosed effects.
- More than 70% of all personal care products may contain phthalates, which are linked to birth defects and infertility.
- Many baby soaps are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical 1,4 dioxane.
It’s not just women who are affected by this chemists’ brew. Shampoo, deodorant, face lotion and other products used daily by men, women and children contain hazardous chemicals that the industry claims are “within acceptable limits.” But there’s nothing acceptable about daily multiple exposures to carcinogenic chemicals—from products that are supposed to make us feel healthy and beautiful.
Not Just a Pretty Face delves deeply into the dark side of the beauty industry and looks to hopeful solutions for a healthier future. This scathing investigation peels away less-than-lovely layers to expose an industry in dire need of an extreme makeover.
“Thank you Stacy for exposing the truth. The jig is up!” —Fran Drescher, star of the Emmy Award–winning series The Nanny
Stacy Malkan is a former cheerleader who loves make-up. She is the Communications Director of Health Care Without Harm and the media team co-leader for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a national coalition working to eliminate hazardous chemicals in personal care products which she helped to found in 2002.
Stacy is a leading communications strategist for environmental campaigns, and helped initiate the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in 2002, a national coalition working to eliminate hazardous chemicals in personal care products. Stacy grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter 1 – Indecent Exposure
Are cosmetic chemicals getting into you? What the latestscience tells us about the links between chemicals and disease.
Chapter 2 – Not Too Pretty
The detective search begins for chemicals linked to birth defects in shampoo, deodorant, fragrance and hair gel.
Chapter 3 – Because We're Worth It!
Breast cancer activists ask the world's largest cosmetics companies to stop using chemicals linked to cancer and reproductive harm.
Chapter 4 – Skin Deeper
How safe are your products? The Environmental Working Group builds the first-ever database of toxic ingredients in personal care products.
Chapter 5 – Beauty Myth Busters
From the "whitening trend" in Asia to the airbrushed models in the ads, the beauty industry sells toxic dreams around the world.
Chapter 6 – Pinkwashing
A closer look at pink-ribbon products and what the leading cosmetics companies don't tell you about breast cancer prevention.
Chapter 7 – Because We're Worth It Too!
Teens and activists take on state legislators, Governor Schwarzenegger and largest worldwide supplier of nail products.
Chapter 8 – Tricks of the Trade
The beauty industry gears up for a backlash.
Chapter 9 –Unmasked
Peek behind the scenes of Big Beauty, as the author goes undercover to the largest cosmetics industry conference of the year.
Chapter 10 – A Healthier Foundation
Safe products, healthy business practices and the growing natural products industry.
Chapter 11 – The Face of the Future
Green chemistry, green politics and other hopeful solutions for a healthier tomorrow.
Chapter 12 – Extreme Makeover
Giving the cosmetics industry and the government a makeover! What you can do.
Epilogue
Notes
Index
About the Author