What’s Really in Your Skincare?
A cosmetic, by definition, is anything you put on your body. Before the average person leaves the house, they have already applied 100 to 200 synthetic chemicals to their body — many of which have been linked to serious health threats including cancer, infertility, and birth defects. These concerns aren’t fringe claims; they come from credible organizations including the World Health Organization and the CDC.
The Beauty Industry’s Incentive to Disagree
Not surprisingly, the beauty industry sees things differently. It has built a massive empire that relies on synthetic chemicals available in every shape, color, consistency, and fruit-a-licious scent. It is one of the largest and most profitable industries on earth, spending more on advertising than virtually any other sector. So when a representative from the industry’s leading trade association was asked about cosmetic safety, his answer was predictable: not only are today’s cosmetics generally safe, he claimed, they are the safest of all products regulated by the FDA.
Let’s pause on the word regulated. Most consumers assume cosmetics are scrutinized under the watchful eye of the FDA. In reality, under the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, cosmetics are not subject to any pre-market approval — none. Companies are not required to substantiate performance claims or conduct safety testing. Cosmetics simply must be “safe when used as directed in the labeling or under usual customary conditions of use.” Given the revenue generated by this industry, it’s worth asking: has a laissez-faire approach proven prudent?
What the European Union Did About It
As far back as 2004, the European Union banned all chemicals known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutations, or birth defects from cosmetic and personal care formulations — the same ingredients identified by the WHO, the CDC, and others as known or potential health threats. The list is long. Some of the worst offenders include:
- DEA (Diethanolamine): A hormone disruptor and carcinogen that also depletes the body of choline, which is essential for fetal brain development. DEA can appear alone in products or as a contaminant, such as Cocamide DEA.
- 1,4-Dioxane: A known carcinogen that can appear as a contaminant in products containing sodium laureth sulfate or ingredients that include the terms “PEG,” “-xynol,” “ceteareth,” “oleth,” and most other ethoxylated “eth” ingredients.
At Meadowlake Farm, we work exclusively with raw materials derived directly from nature. No synthetic chemicals. No greenwashing. Just honest skincare you can trust.