Is Your Favorite Product Hiding Harmful Chemicals?
Perfumes. Lotions. Deodorants. Candles.
They may smell good, feel luxurious, and help us feel “put together.” But beneath the surface, many of these everyday personal care products contain chemicals that haven’t been properly tested for safety — at least not here in the U.S.
In fact, did you know that chemicals in the U.S. aren’t required to be tested for safety before being added to products?
Most chemical regulation only happens after health or environmental harm has already occurred.
And that’s the root of the issue.
“Can We Have Anything?”
If you've ever found yourself overwhelmed by all the warnings — don't use this, avoid that, swap out this product — you're not alone.
I totally get the frustration. Learning that your favorite perfume or skincare product may be linked to hormone disruption or even cardiovascular issues is… a lot.
I don’t share this kind of information to scare anyone or to add to the noise.
I share it because you deserve to know the truth.
I want you to feel empowered to make choices that work for you — not shamed, judged, or discouraged.
This is about beauty justice. About environmental health. About having access to information and safer options, especially in Black and Brown communities where exposure levels and vulnerability are often higher.
The Reality Behind Product Safety in the U.S.
Here’s how it works:
In the U.S., the default is “innocent until proven guilty” — for chemicals.
Companies can add ingredients to products without long-term safety testing. Regulation often comes only after people start reporting health issues or when researchers find that a chemical is disrupting ecosystems.
Meanwhile, we’ve been buying these products for years, sometimes decades. And when someone finally says, “Hey, this might not be safe,” we’re told:
“You can’t take away my favorite [insert product here]!”
But maybe… some of these products should’ve never been on the market to begin with.
So What Do We Do?
The truth is: it shouldn’t be your job to protect yourself from unsafe products. There should be policies and systems in place that keep us safe. That’s why research — and the way we talk about it — is so important.
Here’s what we can do in the meantime:
Take what’s for you, and leave the rest. If a swap feels manageable, try it. If not, that’s okay.
Use your dollar as a demand. Companies follow money. The more we support safer, more transparent brands, the more the industry will shift.
Support environmental health research. It’s what helps us push for stronger policy and regulation.
Stay curious, not fearful. This journey isn’t about perfection — it’s about awareness and gradual change.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to throw away everything you own. You don’t need to be 100% “toxic-free.” You do deserve to understand what’s in your products — and to make decisions based on truth, not fear or marketing hype.
Let’s keep asking questions. Let’s keep sharing what we learn. And let’s keep pushing for a world where the burden isn’t on us — but on the systems meant to protect us.
