March 27, 2012: Markey at Hearing on State of Cosmetics, Highlights Lack of FDA Authority

Read more about Rep. Markey's work on keeping toxics out of care products: http://markey.house.gov/press-release...

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  News & Politics

[SpringsteadLLC]

(3 part reply) Thank you Senator Markey. So many people think of the skin as a water tight barrier to the outside world but don't realize that it's anything but! During showering the skin absorbs approximately 1.5 pints of water, and that includes molecules of soap or detergent, impurities in the water, and any makeup or chemical perfume that's still on the body as it mixes with the water, and many of the effects of the toxic chemicals in makeup and other skin products are cumulative.

[SpringsteadLLC]

The problem goes beyond the toxic chemicals purposely put by manufacturers into the makeups themselves but includes the endocrine disruptors found in plastics used to package cosmetics and these chemicals affect hormonal functions (Most commonly affecting estrogenic activity). These endocrine disruptors are in the plastic packaging which leeches into the makeups and other skin care products, but even when packaged in glass, these chemical endocrine disruptors already exist in the products.

[SpringsteadLLC]

According to CertiChem: "...these affect both the physiological and behavioral activities of mammals, including humans (NRC, 1999). In fetal, post-natal, and/or pre-pubertal mammals, very low concentrations (nanomolar to picomolar) of chemicals with estrogenic activity can alter rates of growth, time to sexual maturation, aggressive behaviors, learning abilities, sexual orientations, prostate and ovarian functions, and male sperm count."

[CaralineRLevy]

To see how safe your product is, go to the skindeep database by Environmental Work Group

[breastcancerfund]

Thank you Rep.Markey for working hard to protect us all by being a champion for safe cosmetics!

[Trisha Springstead]

thank You Sen Markey.