It is difficult to provide specific information about a cosmetics companys product details, positive and negative aspects, and ingredients or materials without knowing which company is being referred to. However, there are some general resources available that can help consumers evaluate the safety and ingredients of cosmetics products.
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EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database: This database rates products based on their ingredients and potential health hazards. Every product is reviewed by EWG staff to identify product type, use and composition, target demographic, and special product claims. Information is culled from ingredient labels and from the scientific and industry literature on personal care products. Each product is rated on factors calculated from nearly 60 integrated toxicity, regulatory, and study availability databases.
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California Safe Cosmetics Program (CSCP): The CSCP maintains a database of cosmetics products reported by manufacturers, packers, and distributors. Users can search the database by product name, type of product, brand or company name. Cosmetics companies are required by law to report to the CSCP the presence and identity of all reportable ingredients, including those in mixtures obtained from a supplier. However, the data are limited by incomplete disclosure by some companies, including claims of “trade secret” ingredients, not reporting about ingredients supplied by other companies, and a lack of updating information in the database when products are reformulated.
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FDA Cosmetics Labeling Guide: The FDA provides a guide to help manufacturers with cosmetic labeling, with examples and answers to questions manufacturers often ask. The guide covers topics such as petitioning for trade secrecy, drug ingredients, color additives added for color matching, incidental ingredients, dissimilar product assortments, similar product assortments, branded shade lines, direct mail cosmetics, and off-package ingredient labeling.
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Environmental Working Group (EWG): The EWG provides a list of "The Toxic Twelve Chemicals and Contaminants in Cosmetics" that consumers should avoid. The list includes chemicals and contaminants linked to cancer that can be found in food, water, and many other everyday products. The cosmetics industry is notoriously under-regulated, and the EWG advocates for greater oversight and regulation of cosmetics products.
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Responsible Sourcing: Some cosmetics companies, such as Estee Lauder, have committed to sourcing ingredients responsibly and with attention to potential impacts on people and the environment. They work with suppliers and partners to map sensitive supply chains back to the mill, farm, or mine, and seek to procure ingredients with minimal impact to the environment and local communities. They also seek to promote fair and inclusive business practices to support those who help bring the beauty of their products to customers.
Consumers can also search for a product by name or barcode on apps by the Environmental Working Group and Think Dirty to find ingredients of concern. These apps provide a score based on the number of hazards linked to various chemicals.
