Safe Paint: Cosmetic Toxin Safety
All day, We Act for Environmental Justice
Every day, we put products on our skin, hair, and nails without knowing what’s really inside them. Many cosmetics and beauty products contain toxic chemicals that can harm our health, and BIPOC communities are often targeted with the most harmful ones.
We’ll help you learn how to read labels, spot dangerous ingredients, and find safer alternatives. Together, we’ll explore how beauty connects to environmental justice and why safer choices should be a right, not a privilege.
We Act for Environmental Justice has been a national leader in fighting for beauty justice. Through our Beauty Inside Out campaign, we’ve raised awareness about the dangers of toxic chemicals in personal care products and have pushed for legislation like the New York State Beauty Justice Act (S.2057/A.2054), which aims to ban harmful ingredients from cosmetics and personal care products sold in the state. This legislation seeks to protect consumers from exposure to chemicals linked to serious health concerns, such as cancer and hormone disruption.
In addition to legislative efforts, WE ACT has conducted surveys revealing that women of color often use skin lightening products containing mercury, hydroquinone, and corticosteroids. These substances can cause kidney damage, psychosis, and other adverse health effects.
