M2.2: Personal Care Products

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The following are two personal care products that I use on a regular basis and researched on the Safe Cosmetics Database.

Kiss Premium Eyelash Adhesive Clear
Health risks in this product are irritants (high), organ system toxicity (moderate), cancer & ecotoxicity (low). As someone who uses this product, I know it can cause eye irritation because I have experienced that effect from using the product. The eyes generally have a negative reaction when something is coming close or into the eye. I found that the ecological impact for this glue was present and rated low. Overall, the product was rated with a score of 2 indicating it as a low hazard. The biggest concern are the allergens in the product which can cause organ system toxicity. I did not expect that much of an impact from a product where you only use about 2 drops of glue for each eye. However, it depends on the individual's body. Luckily for me I don't have an allergic reaction from this product.

Aquafresh Toothpaste
Health risks in this product are irritants & additives (high), organ system toxicity (moderate), & ecotoxicity (low). Overall, the product was rated with a score of 4 indicating it as a moderate hazard. Most concerns revolved around developmental and reproductive toxicity in addition to allergies. The sodium fluoride (active ingredient) is the highlight of concern causing development toxicity according to the website. I would have assumed the fluoride would be positive in healthy teeth, however the sodium fluoride has a negative impact overall.

Based on the findings, I decided to change my consumer behavior towards my toothpaste. I don't feel compelled to change the eyelash glue because it has a low hazard and it is used on the outside of my body compared to my toothpaste that had a rating of 4 and I use inside my mouth.

Everyone should know about the risks in their products. There are a number of reasons people don't know their risks. If companies publicized the risks, people would be less inclined to use them. If there are less consumers, there is less revenue and businesses want to make money even if it means negatively affecting the consumer. In addition, corporations don't share the information unless it is mandated by law - and even then, there is not enough regulation; and the evaluation process sometimes takes too long before findings are collected to support or refute the product. As consumers, we also believe that if something were detrimental to our health, we would know about it and/or it wouldn't be sold in stores. The responsibility is given to the consumer and we should be conscious of what we purchase and consume.

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 5, 2018 at 8:07 PM

    Hi Daisy,
    Thank you for your post. I have used the eyelash adhesive you mentioned in your post and I was worried about the health risks. My mother-in-law gets eyelash extensions and her eyes swell up every time no matter what type of glue they use. She still puts herself through the uncomfortable pain just to look (what society keeps telling her) beautiful. It scares me the lengths people are willing to go to for "beauty", and it seems like understanding the risks that they are exposing themselves to might help lessen this willingness.

    I really liked the last part of your post, where you talk about the consumers using the products less the more they know about the what hazards the products expose them to and how this increase in knowledge sets these companies up for failure.
    Great post!
    Kera

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2018 at 2:36 PM

    Hi Daisy,

    I also researched my toothpaste as part of my personal care products. For years I tried name brands like Colgate and AquaFresh toothpaste, mostly because they're the most popular and I never really thought about their ingredients. I simply assumed that whatever ingredients were used in the toothpastes were safe, seeing as we have to put it in our mouths, after all. However, about 5 years ago, my mom recommended I switch to Tom's of Maine, who use natural ingredients in their toothpaste. For my assignment, I researched the toothpaste brand and was happy to know it has a very low score due to the ingredients they use. I would highly recommend you try it!

    Carmen

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSeptember 10, 2018 at 11:24 AM

    Hi Daisy,

    Thank you for sharing your very interesting findings in regards to your eyelash adhesive and Aquafresh toothpaste. I agree that the low hazard rating associated with the adhesive should not make you stop using the product, especially if you do not use it every day. I wear contacts every day so I am very sensitive when it comes to products I use around my eyes. I once had a bad reaction to a mascara brand I used and I now will definitely use the database to find the best mascara with a low hazard rating. I agree that everyone should be aware of the risks associated with using their products. I like your rationale regarding businesses and revenue and I agree that this needs to change and their needs to be stricter regulations.

    ReplyDelete

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