Thursday, January 30, 2014

Are Your Cosmetics, Soaps & Skincare Products Safe? Find Out Using New Database

A new database compiled by the California Safe Cosmetics Program allows users to search for the cosmetic products they use or provide to their customers or employees and gain information about the chemical ingredients of those products.

All cosmetic products sold in the state of California that contain hazardous or potentially hazardous ingredients must be reported and are then listed in the database. These products include all non-soap products that are applied to the body for cleansing, beautifying and/or altering appearance. Additionally, soaps, shampoos, shower gels and other similar products must be reported if they claim cometic enhancements such as softening, moisturizing or deodorizing.

When viewing a particular product listed in the database, consumers can find a list of ingredients that may be harmful, as well as information about the potential health risks associated with those ingredients and the uses of the product that pose the most significant hazards to users. For example, some products contain ingredients that are hazardous only when absorbed by the skin while others are most hazardous when inhaled.

Find the database here.