Author examines beauty's ugly side
By Carly Flandro for the Missoulian
Read the article in the Missoulian
There are reproductive toxins in nail polish, carcinogens in baby shampoo and lead in lipstick.
And now there are toxic chemicals in babies.
The beauty industry needs a makeover and consumers can make it happen, Stacy Malkan told an audience of nearly 300 people at her book release last Thursday.
The event, which took place at the North Underground Lecture Hall at the University of Montana, aimed to promote Malkan's new book, “Not Just A Pretty Face,” which exposes the harmful chemicals used by the beauty industry and follows environmentalists as they attempt to solve this problem.
In the European Union, more than 1,100 ingredients have been banned from cosmetics. In the United States, only 10 have been banned. Why? No FDA restrictions exist in the beauty industry.
Malkan's book, which has been featured on “Good Morning America,” identifies some of the ingredients still legal in American cosmetics - mercury, placenta and lead acetate.
These ingredients can lead to cancer, developmental problems, and can interfere with the body's normal hormone functions.
Scientists have recently been using a system called bio-monitoring to track ingredients within people's bodies, Malkan said.
According to “Not Just A Pretty Face,” Charlotte Brody, a mother of two, was one of the first people in the world to be tested for industrial chemicals.
She was shocked to find 85 toxins manufactured by companies such as Dow, Shell, Exxon and Monsanto in her body, including chemicals designed to attack the nervous systems of insects.
“I felt violated,” Brody says in the book. “How could Dow put Dursban into me when I never said they could - when I never used their product and never in my knowledge was in the presence of their product?”
Another gripping story in the book is that of Mary Brune, who discusses her own frustration when she learned of a study done by Texas Tech University that revealed components of rocket fuel were present in breast milk.
Brune's daughter had just turned 6 months old.
However, Malkan says women should use these injustices as ignition for change rather than fear.
“I don't want (my book) to be scary,” Malkan said. “I want it to be empowering. I feel hopeful because I've seen many positive signs.”
Six hundred companies have signed a contract promising not to use toxic chemicals, Malkan said.
OPI, the largest worldwide supplier of nail polish, also recently removed the toxic chemical phthalate from its products.
However, this was only done after consumer pressure spurred by the Teens for Safe Cosmetics. The youths dressed up as beauty queens in the streets of Los Angeles with sashes that read “Miss Treatment USA by OPI.”
The same group of teen girls also lobbied for a bill to be passed that would require cosmetic companies to inform the state if they use carcinogens or reproductive toxins.
The California Safe Cosmetic Act was passed in 2005.
“It was so heartening to see young girls having a voice and knowing that what they say matters,” Malkan said, triggering a wave of applause throughout the audience.
Many small businesses have also prioritized morals in their businesses by creating products that are good for consumers, she said.
Yet, most big companies have not taken steps to protect their patrons.
“Companies are more concerned about the bottom line than women's heatlh,” Malkan said.
Sixty-one percent of lipsticks have lead in them, including some of the most expensive brands such as L'Oreal, Cover Girl and Christian Dior.
Bryony Schwan, the founder of Missoula-based Women's Voices for the Earth, a nonprofit women-centered environmental justice organization, started asking to talk to several big companies about their policies five years ago.
“They blew me off totally,” Schwan said.
L'Oreal has refused to take lead out of its lipstick because it is not out of compliance with FDA regulations.
“But they say that because there are no FDA regulations,” Malkan said. “They have evaded, resisted and avoided (talking about these issues).”
But women have the power to change that, she said. Women make up the largest block of voters in the United States and can give the government and the beauty industry a much-needed makeover.
“(We need to) create new economic systems that are compatible with life and healthy for people and the planet,” said Malkan. “Each choice is a step on the road to getting there, and everyone in this room has the power to make it happen.”
After the speech, audience members had the chance to talk to Malkan and get book copies signed.
There were also petitions set out that people could sign to show support for the removal of lead from L'Oreal lipstick.
One mother asked if her two daughters could sign the petition although they were not yet 18.
“I see no problem there,” Malkan said as the two young women hurried to sign the petition before leaving.
For more information on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics or to research the ingredients found in personal care products, visit www.safecosmetics.org.
University of Montana journalism student Carly Flandro is an intern for the Missoulian.