Every day, the average adult in the U.S. uses 12 personal care products—such as moisturizers, sunscreens, and cosmetics—containing 112 unique ingredients, some of which are linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and other health risks. Under current law, companies that make these products can use almost any ingredient without premarket testing or review. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has restricted just 15 substances from use; the European Union has banned or restricted more than 2,400.
CR has been working to close this regulatory gap. In February 2025, CR testing revealed a range of toxic ingredients in synthetic braiding hair, and we began urging the FDA to investigate further. We’ve also been pushing state legislators to address the issue, resulting in measures like New York’s proposed Beauty Justice Act, which would ban some of the most toxic substances in the state. And we helped craft the federal Safer Beauty Bill Package, a landmark bill that would remove the most toxic chemicals from beauty and personal care products, increase ingredient and supply chain transparency, and protect the health of salon workers and women of color, who are most affected by toxic exposure.
Please sign our petition urging Congress to pass the Safer Beauty Bill Package.
