Potentially dangerous ingredients in personal care and cosmetic products: an analysis and comparison of United States and European policy

In the United States, only 11 ingredients are prohibited or restricted from inclusion in cosmetics, compared to over 1,300 ingredients banned from inclusion in cosmetics sold in Europe. Some legislators have expressed concern that these chemicals can increase the risk of cancer, endocrine and reproductive disorders, and more, but policy action has been minimal. The presence of dangerous chemicals in cosmetics should be a focus of public health leaders and policy makers in the United States, because without further action, rates of disease associated with these ingredients may increase. \ud This paper will define the problem of chemicals in cosmetic products and propose changes to policy to correct the problem. This will be done through a review of existing policies and a discussion of the significance of the problem including the types of diseases that result.\ud This paper proposes that harmful chemicals are present in products that many consumers believe are safe, and makes recommendations for additional regulation of the cosmetics industry. Along with legislative changes, this paper recommends that educational programs must also be developed to bring awareness to this issue, and a systematic review of all potentially risky substances should also be conducted with alternative options proposed, as well as additional policies to expand regulation in order to emphasize public health.\u