We are thankful for the advancements made in cosmetic safety represented by the passage of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulations Act of 2022. The legislation makes many constructive and long-overdue changes to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, which has not been significantly amended since it was enacted over 80 years ago. We are heartened by these improvements, which have all been core priorities of BCPP and our Campaign for Safe Cosmetics since its inception in 2004. 

Despite this important progress, much work remains to be done to achieve a truly health-protective safety standard for beauty and personal care products for all. We must address critical gaps in cosmetic safety that impact everyone, especially women of color and professional salon workers. 

Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 Analysis

The post Big Federal Cosmetic Policy Reform Enacted appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.

When I was a little girl, I would have done anything for straight hair because I was socialized to believe that beautiful hair wasn’t curly. I was so insistent that, against her better judgment, my mother used the Just for Me chemical relaxing kit on my hair and regularly straightened it with flat irons, hot combs, blow dryers, and all the accompanying oils and moisturizers to keep my hair protected. I still remember the relaxing treatments vividly – the feeling of Vaseline being applied to my face, neck and scalp so it wouldn’t burn, the smell of the activator as it was mixed into the white base, the feeling of my mother combing the cream through my hair’s new growth, the sting of warm water hitting my raw scalp (even with the Vaseline protection) to rinse out the chemicals and begin the lengthy blow drying and straightening process, and finally, I remember the result: shiny, straight locks. 

Years later, like many curly gals freed by the most recent natural hair movement, I stopped using chemicals and heat. At the same time, I started doing research into the products that would be safer for my hair and for me. The more I learned, the more I started phasing out toxic chemical-filled products from every facet of my life—makeup, skincare, feminine hygiene, you name it.

My story is a microcosm of a much larger and systemic issue: the environmental injustice of Black beauty. Black women are overmarketed and sold products with some of the most toxic chemicals in the beauty industry—for instance, the kind that makes a young child’s scalp burn. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is tasked with keeping consumers safe, yet they haven’t updated the regulations governing cosmetics since 1938 and the current guidelines are a mere 2.5 pages. Shockingly, only 11 of the over 10,000 chemicals used in personal care products are banned (in comparison to the 2,400+ banned in the EU), and all the while, people—Black people—are being harmed. 

Black women spend $7.5 billion on beauty care annually, and some of this spending is a result of skewed beauty standards and racist discrimination that forces Black people to try to meet an ideal that society deems more ‘professional’ or ‘appropriate.’ For instance, the ideal that straight hair is good hair. In recent years, researchers and the public have begun to draw links between health problems faced by Black women and the use of certain products. Chemical hair straighteners and hair dye increase Black women’s risk of breast cancer and uterine cancer. This is particularly concerning because Black women die more frequently from breast cancer than other races, and Black people often don’t have equitable access to quality healthcare. All of this is more severe for those most exposed to these chemicals—beauty professionals. 

Hair stylists, barbers, nail artists, estheticians, and everyone who makes a living in the beauty industry is overexposed and underprotected from toxic chemicals in beauty care. Day in and day out, hair stylists and nail artists are forced to breathe in noxious fumes, handle chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and formaldehydes, and aren’t always given or able to purchase protective equipment. Since hair care is a pillar of economic prosperity in the Black community, again, this is a problem that greatly affects our people. Black people. 

Clearly, change is needed—we deserve clean, safe products, and a society that unequivocally understands that Black is Beautiful! To help bring us all one step closer to this reality, BCPP and its Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, along with partners like Black Women for Wellness, created the Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project to educate the public about this issue, highlight the chemicals of most concern for Black women, and promote Black-owned beauty brands that offer truly clean beauty. Please check out each of these resources and whether you’re a Black lady like myself, or a beauty professional, continue reading for tips on how you can keep yourself safe!

Calling all Black Women and Girls! 5 Tips for Safer Beauty

1. Know your worth! 
   • You deserve safe beauty products. The fact that it can be so hard to find healthy, clean beauty products is not your fault. It is the fault of those in power who haven’t properly regulated personal care products. Know that you matter and are worthy of more.
2. Take action to protect yourself; remember, you know what’s best for you. 
   • First, make a list of all the beauty products you use. Then, review the ingredients of each product and compare them to resources that highlight chemicals of concern (see tip 5). For the worst offenders, decide on which products you feel comfortable giving up or finding alternatives. Our recommendations? Skip toxic hair treatments like relaxers, beware of skin lighteners, and reduce the overall quantity of products you use. Remember, we all accept some risk into our lives—it is up to you to determine how much you’re comfortable with in your beauty care routine. 
3. Avoid “fragrance” and “parfum” when possible. 
   • The terms ‘fragrance’ and ‘parfum’ on ingredient lists, even with modifiers like ‘natural’ or ‘organic,’ can be made of toxic chemicals. If a brand doesn’t specify what makes up the fragrance in their products, this is a red flag, because companies should be transparent if they have nothing to hide. It can be difficult to find products without fragrance, so at least aim to reduce the amount of products you use with undisclosed fragrances.
4. Beware of nail products or treatments with toxic ingredients. 
   • Chemicals in nail polish can be absorbed into the body and inhaled during application. If you can, completely avoid nail polishes with the following ingredients: dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, toluene, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), and those with methacrylate compounds (MMA or EMA). 
5. Trust your gut & lean on us. 
   • If you can easily read the ingredients on a label that’s a good sign! If something sounds suspect, then it probably is (Ex. Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter vs. Phenoxyethanol). Lean on research from trusted sources like Black Women for Wellness, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners’ Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, EWG Skin Deep, Clearya, Silent Spring Institute, and Women’s Voices for the Earth.

The post Black is Beautiful: The Black Beauty Project appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.

CONTACT
Erika Wilhelm, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, media@bcpp.org, 415.539.5005
Janet Nudelman, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, janet@bcpp.org, 415.321.2909

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Breast Cancer Prevention Partner (BCPP) and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) strongly urge congressional leaders to reject the inclusion of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulations Act of 2022 as a rider in the end-of-year spending bill.

While the proposal contains some good policies that would enhance the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authority and oversight of the cosmetics industry, its weak safety standard and far-reaching preemption clause would severely impact the ability of California and over a dozen other states to legislate on cosmetic safety.

Section 608(c) of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 creates an untested, unproven safety standard that has no legal standing, legislative history, or logical reason to replace the more commonly accepted “reasonable certainty of no harm” standard, which has been the FDA’s own standard for the safety of food additives and colors in cosmetics for more than 50 years.

The post Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Urges Congress to Reject Sweeping Preemption of State Cosmetic Safety Laws in Spending Bill appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.

Featured on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black Beauty Brands and Non-Toxic Black Beauty Database, we spoke to AcARRE Founder, CEO, and Chief Chemist Tracey Hicks-Kearse about how she is using her clean beauty line to carry on a family legacy of entrepreneurship.

Tracey’s Story

Tracey, Founder, CEO, and Chief Chemist of AcARRE comes from a long line of entrepreneurs that includes her grandmother, parents, aunts, and even her sisters. It was only natural for her to flourish in her own right at creating multi-use beauty products.

Tracey is a driven entrepreneur, accomplished product developer, and esteemed chemical engineer and marketer with 18+ years of experience in innovation fulfilling consumer desires. Creatively, she enjoys brainstorming on innovative ideas that have a direct impact on consumers and the influence that drives those changes. Taking her aspirations to another level allows her to pursue her passion every day.

When Tracey isn’t pursuing her passion, you can find her traveling with family and friends.

As one of our featured brands on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black-Owned Beauty Brands, AcARRE’s products are free of the harmful ingredients on CSC’s Red List of Chemicals of Concern in Cosmetics, which includes chemicals of particular concern for Black women. This list and our accompanying database of products allows Black women to shop for beauty products with confidence knowing that the products they’re purchasing are free of ingredients linked to negative health effects, including those of special concern to Black women.

We asked Tracey more about her brand:

Can you tell us more about AcARRE and your line of products?

AcARRE was created on the foundation of utilizing plant biodiversity to create multi-use beauty products that bring balance to the microbiome for healthy scalp and skin. AcARRE bio-based materials are ethically and sustainably sourced. Our products are manufactured safely and cleanly to contribute to a sustainable ecosystem.

What led you to create beauty products without harmful ingredients?

I had received requests from friends and family to create beauty products, but I wanted to make sure I was creating a brand that attributed to a better ecosystem. That is why I decided to formulate my products with ethically and sustainably sourced bio-based materials.

Why should people shop from clean beauty brands like yours?

AcARRE’s plant-based products are efficacious and come with multi-use benefits. Our products are proof that consumers don’t need to use beauty products filled with toxic chemicals to achieve the results they desire.

Do you have any professional affiliations?

Yes, I am a member of Cosmetic Executive Women and the Society of Cosmetic Chemists.

What’s your personal mantra?

Keep it simple.

Where can people find your products?

You can find our products on our website, www.acarre.co, or they can be purchased through any of the retailers listed on our website.

Want more?

• Check out our Black Beauty Database for other, safer-made, non-toxic Black-owned products.
• Get our top tips for finding safer cosmetic products wherever you shop!

The post AcARRE’s Tracey Hicks-Kearse: Black-Owned Beauty Brand Founder and Chief Chemist appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.

Featured on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black Beauty Brands and Non-Toxic Black Beauty Database, we spoke to JACQ’S Founder and CEO Barbara Jacques about how a health scare during her pregnancy inspired her to create a vegan skincare line created for women of color by women of color.

Barbara’s Story

Barbara Jacques is the Founder and Creative Director of JACQ’S, a vegan and sustainable skincare line created for women of color by women of color. Barbara created JACQ’S after a health scare during her pregnancy. As a way to cope with her illness, she began studying green medicine and holistic plant botany. The more research she did, the more concerns she had about the effects of ingredients on our overall health.

After recovering from her illness and delivering her daughter, Barbara created JACQ’S with a mission to change the way the beauty industry sees skincare and women of color. Black women, Brown women, Latin women, Asian women, and everyone in between should be seen as much more than props and profit margins. Products sold and marketed to Black women contain some of the most toxic chemicals used in the cosmetics industry. JACQ’S product collection is inspired by Barbara’s Caribbean background using exotic ingredients, cruelty-free products, and sustainable packaging.

As one of our featured brands on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black-Owned Beauty Brands, JACQ’S Skincare products are free of the harmful ingredients on CSC’s Red List of Chemicals of Concern in Cosmetics, which includes chemicals of particular concern for Black women. This list and our accompanying database of products allows Black women to shop for beauty products with confidence knowing that the products they’re purchasing are free of ingredients linked to negative health effects, including those of special concern to Black women.

We asked Barbara more about her brand:

Can you tell us a bit more about the mission of JACQ’S?

I created JACQ’S with a mission to change the way the beauty industry sees skincare and women of color. Products sold to Black and Brown women contain some of the most toxic chemicals in the beauty industry.

The $100 billion personal care industry has “regulated” itself for decades and has said, “Some toxic chemicals in beauty products are okay.” Black women also spend $7.5 billion on beauty products every year and we’re exposed to a higher amount of toxic chemicals.

Tell us more about your brand’s products

Having melanin-rich skin comes with unique concerns that include uneven skin tone, maintaining clear skin, and protecting skin while aging. JACQ’S Skincare collection is formulated using antioxidant-rich ingredients to address these specific concerns.

We set out to create science-backed skincare products that are truly green and effective. We are addressing the needs of women of color by creating solutions for melanated skin and changing beauty norms.

JACQ’S is a Green America-certified business that’s PETA-approved, and all of our products are vegan and cruelty free.

What brought you to create beauty products without harmful ingredients?

I created JACQ’S after a health scare during my pregnancy. As a way to cope with my illness, I began studying green medicine and holistic plant botany. This led to the launch of a skincare line that promotes diversity and acceptance, acne positivity, and destigmatizing the world one skin condition at a time.

Why should people shop clean beauty brands like yours?

There are a limited number of brands that speak to women of color, and there are even fewer skincare brands that formulate products for Black women that do not contain harmful ingredients. I wanted to create a line that was not only non-toxic, but also formulated for women of color that is truly results-driven.

What’s your personal mantra?

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Are you actively involved in your community?

Yes, I volunteer as a reading mentor to elementary students in my community.

Where can people find your products?

You can shop JACQ’s Skincare at Target.com and online at www.shopjacqs.com.

Want more?

• Check out our Black Beauty Database for other, safer-made, non-toxic Black-owned products.
• Get our top tips for finding safer cosmetic products wherever you shop!

The post Top Black-Owned Beauty Brand JACQ’S Skincare CEO & Founder: Barbara Jacques appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.

Featured on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black Beauty Brands and Non-Toxic Black Beauty Database, we spoke to I See You Wellness Founder and Healing Artist Mariam Mouna Guessous about how she pursued her passions to create a wellness brand and sanctuary that empowers communities of color.

Mariam’s Story

Mariam is a native of Marrakech, Morocco living and loving in Brooklyn, NY. She is the founder of I See You Wellness – a wellness brand that exists to empower communities of color through accessible wellness and radical self-care. She is the co-founder of Zen Day Wellness Conference that was inaugurated at Weeksville Heritage Center during Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2018.

Mariam is passionate about diversity and social justice. After spending a decade in the advertising industry, she left in 2017 to pursue her passions of healing, educating and empowering communities through wellness education.

Mariam is a healing artist; she received training and certifications in multiple modalities including Reiki, Sound Healing, EFT, Community Herbalism, Energy Work, African Indigenous Spiritual Technologies and others. She believes in the power of mindfulness, conscious creativity and “inner-work” and shares her work around the world through workshops, healing experiences and keynote speeches.

As one of our featured brands on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black-Owned Beauty Brands, I See You Wellness’ products are free of the harmful ingredients on CSC’s Red List of Chemicals of Concern in Cosmetics, which includes chemicals of particular concern for Black women. This list and our accompanying database of products allows Black women to shop for beauty products with confidence knowing that the products they’re purchasing are free of ingredients linked to negative health effects, including those of special concern to Black women.

We asked Mariam more about her work:

What is the mission of I See You Wellness?

Our mission is to empower communities of color through accessible wellness and radical self-care. We founded I See You Wellness to provide sacred, safe spaces and products for communities who need it most. We want our people to feel seen, loved and cared for in every way possible.

Can you tell us more about what your brand offers?

I See You Wellness is a community centered wellness brand that exists to empower, educate and create healing sanctuaries for the communities we serve. We offer safe, sacred spaces and wellness tools and experiences for healing the mind, body and spirit. Our offerings range from apothecary products and herbal medicine to workshops and community rituals. We want everyone who interacts with our brand to feel seen and to have a sacred space to come back home to themselves.

What brought you to create beauty products without harmful ingredients?

I first created them for myself as I became conscious about and sensitive to harmful, mainstream products. I started listening to my body and noticing how it interacted with various products physically and energetically. I noticed that mass produced products were “aggressive” on my skin and spirit and they “took” more than “gave.” I also noticed that natural, simple products not only nourished my skin, but also uplifted my spirit.

That’s when I started researching, educating myself, and coming back to ancestral beauty and wellness practices that strictly use natural and herbal products. This made a huge impact on my life and mental health as it became a form of self-care, self-love and a way to connect to my ancestry. After creating a few products, I felt the urge to share them with my community as an alternative to toxic products and a tool for healing.

Why should people shop clean beauty brands like yours?

People should shop clean beauty brands like mine because they will enjoy benefits beyond the skin and the superficial. Clean products can be used as tools for healing and empowerment. When we feed our skin with natural, clean products, it gives back; health, vitality and radiance from the inside out.

Are you actively involved in your local community?

Absolutely, community is everything to me. I believe community is key to healing and thriving. A big part of my work is community organizing as well as managing a membership community and gathering space both physically in Brooklyn and virtually for community members all over the world.

What’s your personal mantra?

Just BE.

Where can people find your products?

Our products are available on our website, www.iseeyouwellness.com. There, you can also learn more about our offerings and membership community.

Want more?

• Check out our Black Beauty Database for other, safer-made, non-toxic Black-owned products.
• Get our top tips for finding safer cosmetic products wherever you shop!

The post I See You Wellness Founder and Healing Artist Mariam Mouna Guessous: Top Black-Owned Beauty Brand appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.

We spoke to CSC Top Non-Toxic Black Beauty Brand Bask & Bloom Essentials Founder and CEO Candera Thompson on how a background in business and entrepreneurship and a personal experience with postpartum shedding led her to create a natural solution to address hair loss.

Candera’s Story

Candera Thompson is a mom-of-three who endured severe postpartum shedding and noticed a lack of natural solutions to address hair thinning and breakage. She launched Bask & Bloom in 2015 to fill this gap.

Candera credits her entrepreneurial resilience to her experience immigrating to the U.S. from the Bahamas alone at age 16, after being awarded a college track scholarship. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Marketing and an MBA; she worked in marketing and sales for 9 years before becoming a full-time entrepreneur.

Candera’s Caribbean roots are a source of inspiration for Bask & Bloom, which utilizes bright packaging and tropical scents to evoke the relaxing sensations of her home island, Abaco. Candera currently resides in St. Louis, MO with her husband and children.

As one of our featured brands on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black-Owned Beauty Brands, Bask and Bloom’s products are free of the harmful ingredients on CSC’s Red List of Chemicals of Concern in Cosmetics, which includes chemicals of particular concern for Black women. This list and our accompanying database of products allows Black women to shop for beauty products with confidence knowing that the products they’re purchasing are free of ingredients linked to negative health effects, including those of special concern to Black women.

We asked Candera more about her business:

Can you tell us more about Bask & Bloom’s products?

All of our products work together to solve key goals in bouncing back to healthy hair: strength, protection and length retention. They are a highly concentrated blend of ingredients like nourishing butters and oils, herbal extracts, and mild proteins to achieve healthy hair results. They are safe for color-treated hair and kids.

What led you to create beauty products without harmful ingredients?

As a mom-of-three, I experienced severe postpartum shedding and hair loss in some areas. I was not able to find a solution that spoke to helping the hair thrive after childbirth. While trying to find a solution, I spoke with many women in a Facebook group who all felt left out by the hair and beauty industry, just like me. Their bodies had changed, including their hair, yet no one really talks about the journey it takes to get back to feeling like ourselves. With my background in business and entrepreneurship, I decided to fill this gap myself by creating Bask & Bloom.

Why should people shop clean beauty brands like yours?

Bask & Bloom provides safe and efficacious solutions for all hair types to flourish. We are a one-stop solution for simple to complex hair care and styling. We are driven by our customers’ personal stories and work with a team of chemists and dermatologists to keep the science of hair and scalp at the forefront of each formula, without sacrificing the overall health of the hair and body.

Are you actively involved in your local community or professional affiliations?

We are continuously involved in various events in our local community, such as Give STL Day, back-to-school drives, and Girls On The Run. I also lend my time bi-monthly to speak on various college panels for their business programs, where I share my entrepreneurial journey, answer questions, and give tips to help aspiring entrepreneurs. Bask & Bloom is an Arch Grant 2021 Awardee and Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).

What’s your personal mantra?

I am capable.

Where can people find your products?

We sell our products online at baskandbloomessentials.com and we also have a list of retail partners on our website who sell Bask & Bloom products. Our products are available internationally, with retailers in the U.K., Canada, and the Caribbean.

Want more?

• Check out our Black Beauty Database for other, safer-made, non-toxic Black-owned products.
• Get our top tips for finding safer cosmetic products wherever you shop!

The post Bask & Bloom: Top Black-Owned Beauty Brand appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.

San Francisco, CA – The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ (CSC) new List of Top Non-Toxic Black-Owned Beauty Brands features entrepreneurs making safer beauty products for Black women, free of the toxic ingredients linked to breast cancer and health concerns that disproportionately impact Black women. This project brings health equity to the forefront by providing a database of clean beauty products to help Black women and girls live their healthiest lives and prevent breast cancer.

• CSC’s Top Non-Toxic Black Beauty Brands >
• CSC’s Non-Toxic Black Beauty Product Database >   

Project Supports Health Equity

Released during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project focuses on specifically supporting Black women’s health because Black women face the highest breast cancer mortality rate of any racial or ethnic group in America.^[1] Beauty products marketed to Black women often contain the most toxic cosmetics ingredients, including chemicals linked to cancer. In fact, Black women who regularly dye their hair have a 60% increased risk of breast cancer, and those who use chemical hair straighteners are 30% more likely to develop the disease.^[2] By uplifting leading non-toxic Black-owned beauty brands and connecting Black women with products they can trust, CSC aims to combat toxic health disparities to help prevent breast cancer and other diseases.

List of Non-Toxic Black-Owned Brands and Products Database

The 80 small and medium sized businesses who made the list raise the bar for ingredient safety and lead the movement to address the injustice of Black beauty by selling products free of CSC’s 241 “Do Not Use” Red List Chemicals of Concern in Cosmetics. CSC vetted all 700+ products included in the first-ever searchable database for safety and verified them as free of harmful chemicals linked to health concerns like cancer, diabetes, early puberty, endometriosis, infertility, maternal health, pregnancy complications, and uterine fibroids.  

“As a scientist, I’ve spent years researching and documenting the presence of toxic chemicals in hair care and other personal care products marketed to Black women,” said Dr. Tamarra James-Todd, Associate Professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “What makes me so happy about this project, is that it has taken that science and translated it into information that can be used to avoid toxic chemicals linked to a variety of adverse health conditions that disproportionately affect black women. Having tools such as these provides an opportunity to reduce environmental health disparities through education and empowerment.”

By eliminating toxic ingredients that negatively impact Black women, these companies have made a significant commitment to protecting their customers’ health and well-being. They are also helping to reduce the disproportionate toxic burden that Black women face from unsafe chemicals in beauty and other consumer products they use, which can help prevent the development of chronic diseases like breast and ovarian cancer.  

As Black women purchase and use more beauty products per capita than any other demographic, spending more than $7.5 billion dollars on beauty products a year^[3] and nine times more on hair products than the average consumer,^[4] toxic exposure from beauty products is of particular concern.

“With the emergence of the clean beauty movement, consumers are increasingly aware of the potential that their personal care products might contain harmful, toxic chemicals,” said Dr. Adana Llanos, Associate Professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. “Black women spend substantially more money on cosmetics and hair products annually than other demographics in the U.S., and we also tend to have the worst outcomes for numerous health conditions. So, if harmful exposures from the products we are using contribute to persistent health inequities, we need resources to help promote the purchase of safer products. The Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project will be that resource for Black women and their families. Highlighting the Black-owned beauty brands offering these safer options is icing on the cake!”  

Black Beauty Project Guided by Advisory Committee

Our Advisory Committee made up of leading non-profit organizations and scientists working to improve Black women’s health guide the Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project.   

“Black women carry a disproportionate amount of exposure to toxic chemicals, and all products are not created equal,” said Dr. Astrid Williams, Environmental Justice Manager for Black Women for Wellness. “At Black Women for Wellness, we advocate for safer and cleaner products to support our efforts to style our hair safely. Textured hair comes with its unique challenges. Choosing products that you feel confident and safe using can be difficult. The companies highlighted by this important project were vetted to ensure they are not using carcinogens and other harmful ingredients, making it easier for individuals to choose products and search for healthier options that are held to a higher standard of ingredient safety.”  

Clean Beauty for Black Girls Founder and Executive Director Hannah McCall said, “Transparency is often the catalyst for long-term change and this data provides exactly that. The toxic burden facing many Black women paired with lack of awareness, access & beyond has gone on for far too long and is attached to far too many adverse health effects. This project is a pivotal piece of our pursuit of beauty justice. I’m so proud of how the Black Beauty Project sets a standard for possibility, expectations and consumer demand. Clean Beauty for Black Girls remains committed to moving that needle forward.” 

“Black women pride ourselves on crafting our crowns in every style that reflects the identity we choose to share with the world in each moment,” said Dr. Dede Teteh, Assistant Professor of Public Health at Chapman University. “The Non-Toxic Black Beauty project provides us with the knowledge and tools that help us care for our hair and other beauty assets without compromising our health. This list is a call to action for support of Black-owned businesses with our money and to elect public officials who make our interest in removing toxic products from our shelves a priority.”  

“As the California Black Health Network (CBHN) works to elevate the level of health literacy for Black Californians, and the importance of the impact of exposure to toxic chemicals on their health, well-being, and safety, it is critical that we educate the community about the risks associated with products that we use every day and take for granted that they are safe,” said Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of the California Black Health Network. “Black women in particular need to know about the safety and health risks associated with our hair and personal care products in order to avoid those chemicals that can contribute to the development of maternal health issues, breast cancer, diabetes, etc. We are excited to collaborate and partner with BCPP on the Black Beauty Project and share this important information with our community as part of our efforts to get to the root causes of health disparities, empower the community to be more proactive about their health and wellness, and enable Black women to make better choices and more informed decisions for themselves and their families.”  

President and CEO of Tigerlily Foundation Maimah Karmo said of the project, “This is such a landmark initiative and one that is much needed. We know that Black women are negatively impacted by many social determinants of health, to include toxins in the environment. I’m proud to be a part of this project that will impact the health and lives of Black women and excited to see this launch of the database of non-toxic Black-owned beauty products. Educating companies and consumers is critical to creating bi-directional awareness and accountability to ensure we eradicate environmental toxins which create barriers to health and quality of life. This is a big step in the right direction to protect the health of Black women and girls. We encourage others to support this activity and Tigerlily is committed to supporting the clean Black beauty industry to ensure non-toxic make-up and personal care products are provided to Black women and girls.”   

“We are honored to partner with the Non-Toxic Black Beauty project by leveraging the Clearya data analysis platform to screen thousands of product ingredient lists for hundreds of toxic chemicals,” said Amit Rosner, Co-founder at Clearya. “Data previously analyzed by Clearya from millions of online shopping interactions reveals that chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, developmental harm and hormone disruption are commonly found in personal care products, which could disproportionately affect Black women and girls. The Non-Toxic Black Beauty project empowers Black women to make safer buying decisions and demonstrates to the beauty industry that setting higher safety standards can be both achievable and rewarded by consumers.”   

This project represents the first comprehensive effort to generate a list of chemicals of concern in Black beauty products that should be avoided by consumers, cosmetic manufacturers, and retailers.  

See our full list of expert speakers available for interview and quotes > 

Contact:

Erika Wilhelm, Director of Marketing, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics erika@bcpp.org 415-539-5005

Janet Nudelman, Director, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics janet@bcpp.org 415-321-2902 

### 

About the Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project  

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a program of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, is tackling the environmental injustice of Black beauty with our list of non-toxic beauty brands and database of products that Black women can trust. The products on our list are made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to safer beauty and personal care products without the toxic chemicals linked to health concerns that disproportionately impact Black women. To be included in the next CSC List, Black-owned businesses should contact safecosmetics@bcpp.org. Learn more at safecosmetics.org/black-beauty-project/ 

About the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics 

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that leads the movement to make beauty and personal care products safer for all. safecosmetics.org 

About BCPP  

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on eliminating exposure to toxic chemicals and other environmental exposures linked to breast cancer. bcpp.org  

Citations

[1] DeSantis, C.E., Fedewa, S.A., Goding Sauer, A., Kramer, J.L., Smith, R.A. and Jemal, A. (2016), Breast cancer statistics, 2015: Convergence of incidence rates between black and white women. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 66: 31-42. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21320

[2] Eberle, C. E., Sandler, D. P., Taylor, K. W., & White, A. J. (2020). Hair dye and chemical straightener use and breast cancer risk in a large US population of black and white women. International journal of cancer, 147(2), 383–391. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.32738

[3] Bryant, Taylor. “How the Beauty Industry Has Failed Black Women.” Refinery 29. February 27, 2016. Available online: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2016/02/103964/black-hair-care-makeup-business. Accessed July 7, 2022.

[4] Bryant, Taylor. “How the Beauty Industry Has Failed Black Women.” Refinery 29. February 27, 2016. Available online: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2016/02/103964/black-hair-care-makeup-business. Accessed July 7, 2022.

The post Campaign For Safe Cosmetics Publishes First-Ever List of Top Black-Owned Beauty Brands & Non-toxic Product Database appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.

Featured on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black Beauty Brands and Non-Toxic Black Beauty Database, we spoke to NAIWBE Founder & CEO Sylvia Walker on how her dry skin issues and career as a nurse inspired her to create organic skincare products.

Sylvia’s Story

Sylvia Walker founded NAIWBE in 2011 after seeking a solution to her own dry skin conditions including eczema, which she had since childhood, and contact dermatitis, which she developed as a young nurse. Repeated hand washing in a hospital environment with harsh cleaners and water-based lotions left Sylvia with dry, cracked skin on her hands. These health concerns inspired Sylvia to create a moisturizer, which was a success and led to the conception of “Natural As I Wanna Be,” an organic alternative to more conventional skincare products that also represents a responsible, healthy lifestyle choice.

Sylvia began test marketing her products with family, friends, and coworkers in the healthcare profession. The feedback was extremely positive and provided healing for all skin types, especially for dry skin conditions. Over 10 years later, Sylvia is continuing to develop, maintain, and sell the highest quality, organic skin care products for all skin types.

As one of the Black-owned brands featured on CSC’s searchable database of Non-Toxic Black Beauty Products, Sylvia’s products are free of the harmful ingredients on CSC’s Red List of Chemicals of Concern in Cosmetics, which includes chemicals of particular concern for Black women. This list allows Black women to shop for beauty products with confidence knowing that the products they’re purchasing are free of ingredients linked to negative health effects, including those of special concern to Black women.

We asked Sylvia more about her work:

What brought you to create beauty products without harmful ingredients?

NAIWBE organic skin care products were created as a direct result of me seeking a solution to my own dry skin issues of contact dermatitis and eczema associated with repeated hand washing with harsh detergents and alcohol-based lotions in a hospital environment.

Why should people shop clean beauty brands like yours?

To decrease their exposure to chemicals that may cause breast cancer, birth defects, and hair loss.

Tell us more about NAIWBE’s products

NAIWBE is a line of organic skin care products for all skin types. They’re ideal for a variety of individuals, including those with skin conditions, medical professionals, massage therapists, barbers, beauticians, nail techs, and anyone interested in healthy lifestyle choices and sustainable products.

Are you actively involved in your local community? Do you have any professional affiliations?

Yes, I am part of the First Coast Black Nurses Association (FCBNA), the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), the Florida Nurses Association (FNA), and the American Nurses Association (ANA). I am also an American Red Cross (ARC) certified CPR Instructor and an American Heart Association (AHA) certified CPR Instructor.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I love to dance, especially African and Zumba!

What is your personal mantra?

To always deliver more than I promise. My motivation to be the best and do the best comes from within me.

Where can your products be found?

Our products can be found on our website, www.naiwbellc.net, as well as on Amazon and Sam’s Club.

Want more?

• Check out our Black Beauty Database for other, safer-made, non-toxic Black-owned products.
• Get our top tips for finding safer cosmetic products wherever you shop!

The post Top Black-Owned Beauty Brand NAIWBE Founder & CEO: Sylvia Walker appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.

Featured on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black Beauty Brands and Non-Toxic Black Beauty Database, we spoke to Meraki Organics Founder & CEO Amber Makupson on her inspiring mission to create safer, non-toxic cosmetics, and how she got to where she is today.

Amber’s Story

Meraki was founded in 2019 by Amber Makupson, as a labor of self-love, self-empowerment and dedication to wellness. A native of Ohio, Amber moved and settled in Atlanta, Georgia at a young age, and started to focus on a healthy, holistic lifestyle and make her own natural remedies during her pregnancy when she developed skin sensitivities.

Her background as a licensed aesthetician specializing in botanical treatments helped when, after suffering a serious chemical burn from an over-the-counter beauty product, Amber was fed up of the toxic ingredients damaging so many other women and decided to create Meraki Organics, a non-toxic vegan haircare brand infused with gemstones to nourish skin, hair, body and soul.

Amber’s passion is to make a significant contribution toward improving the overall wellness, health and self-confidence of women of all ethnicities across the world through clean, holistic, high performance hair care. She is a member of the Brain Trust Founders Studio, a group of black founders in the beauty and wellness space.

As one of our featured brands on CSC’s List of Top Non-Toxic Black-Owned Beauty Brands, Amber’s products are free of the harmful ingredients on CSC’s Red List of Chemicals of Concern in Cosmetics, which includes chemicals of particular concern for Black women. Her products are also featured in our Black Beauty Database of safer, non-toxic Black-owned beauty products marketed to Black women. This database is a tool that helps Black women shop for beauty products with confidence, knowing that the products are free of ingredients linked to negative health effects, including those of special concern to Black women.

We asked Amber about her work:

What brought you to create beauty products without harmful ingredients?

After suffering a serious chemical burn from an over-the-counter beauty product, I was fed up with the toxic ingredients damaging so many other women. I used my extensive knowledge and skills as a trained aesthetician and accelerated my research on botanical, vegan and ayurvedic ingredients to create my own line of highly effective products. I match crystals with my products based on the holistic benefits and energetic properties of each stone. My products are multicultural and work amazing for all hair types!

Tell us about your line of non-toxic beauty products

Meraki is a non-toxic holistic hair care brand. Our products are formulated with nutrient-rich organic, and fair-trade Ayurvedic ingredients. Each product is intentionally infused with gemstones and crystals inside each bottle, creating a high vibrational, high performing, deeply nourishing elevated experience.

Why should people shop from clean beauty brands like yours?

We believe making the switch to plant-based products as much as possible, is ultimately more environmentally sustainable, better for human health and produces superior beauty results. We believe in a holistic approach to beauty, one that elevates the essence of your pure authentic beauty.

Tell us more about your company’s mission

We believe that loving yourself fully starts from the inside. At Meraki, we are committed to a high level of health and safety in our products that exceeds well beyond the legal standard in the United States. We vow never to use: Parabens, sulfates, formaldehydes, phthalates, DEA, petrochemical, byproducts, artificial dyes and synthetic fragrance. We believe making the switch to plant-based products as much as possible, is ultimately more environmentally sustainable, better for human health and produces superior beauty results. We are committed to a Vegan & Cruelty-Free ingredients and formulas. We never test on animals testing or make use of animal byproduct.

We support fair trade because that ensures fair wages for a day’s work in marginalized and often rural communities in developing countries all over the world. It affords people the chance to send another child to school, to make vital home repairs in the face of adverse weather conditions, or to build or buy infrastructure and supplies.

We contribute to the growth and empowerment of women and marginalized communities. We support organic farmers all over the world. Organic farming restores the topsoil, preserves human and ecological health and minimizes bee colony disruption. All of this is critical to maintaining our food supply in the best possible way. Our product packaging is recyclable and reusable. We have committed to Carbon neutral shipping which reduces our carbon footprint when we ship to you!

We believe in a holistic approach to beauty, one that elevates the essence of your pure authentic beauty.

What’s your mantra?

Self-love and gratitude are key to a happy and fulfilling life.

Anything else to share?

I am the proud mom of a 13-year-old daughter Zaria!

Where can people find your products?

My products are available online and at Anthropologie.com.

Want more?

• Check out our Black Beauty Database for other non-toxic Black-owned products.
• Get our top tips for finding safer cosmetic products wherever you shop!

The post Top Black-Owned Beauty Brand Meraki Founder & CEO: Amber Makupson appeared first on Safe Cosmetics.