Banned Everywhere Else But Here...

And a new category of cosmetics?

Hello! It’s your skincare obsessed bestie. Thanks for inviting me to drop by, and I can’t wait to start sharing my recs with you. Here is what you can expect from me this week.

  • ICYMI: News, trends, and things to chat about over brunch

  • WAY TO GLO: Authentic skincare tips

  • GLO ABOVE & BEYOND: Business stories in beauty

  • GLOSSIP: Sales events you won’t want to miss

ICYMI

WAY TO GLO!

I had a surprising realization during a recent visit back to my home country of Canada.

At a local cosmetic store, I was shocked to notice that certain beauty products sold in the US are actually banned in Canada due to their containing certain active ingredients.

“Compared to the rest of the (developing) world, the US is the wild west of ingredient regulation” said the store clerk. 🤔 

I have always been mindful when it comes to checking ingredients in beauty products. But just to make sure, I went home and checked the latest research once more.

Turns out, there are at least a handful of cosmetic ingredients that are allowed in the US but are straight up banned in Canada, Japan and EU countries. Below is a few to start.

Formaldehyde:

I remember the sound of this term from my AP Chemistry days. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and can cause skin and respiratory irritation. It is used as a preservative in some cosmetic products to prevent bacterial growth. However, its use as a preservative has raised concerns about the release of formaldehyde gas over time, which can increase the risk of cancer and other health issues. Many countries have restricted or banned formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in cosmetics due to these health concerns.

What to look for in labels: methylene glycol, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium 15, bronopol, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3 dioxane, and hydroxymethylglycinate.

Hydroquinone:

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening ingredient that inhibits the production of melanin. It has been linked to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and potential carcinogenicity. Long-term use of hydroquinone has raised concerns about potential adverse effects on the skin and overall health. The European Union and several other countries have banned or restricted hydroquinone in cosmetics due to these safety concerns. In the US, the ingredient is banned over-the-counter but is still allowed as a prescription drug.

What to look for in labels: Hydroquinone, Tocopheryl acetate

Phthalates:

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and are also found in some cosmetics and fragrances. Certain phthalates, such as DEP, have been linked to potential endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity. The European Union has restricted the use of certain phthalates in cosmetics and personal care products due to these concerns, particularly in products that can be applied to the skin. Unfortunately, spotting phthalates isn't always straightforward, as they can be listed under many names.

What to look for in labels: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP)

Selenium Sulfide:

Selenium sulfide is commonly used in anti-dandruff shampoos and skin treatments. Due to concerns about its potential toxicity to both consumers and the environment, this ingredient has been prohibited in the EU and Japan. A report from the National Toxicology Program indicated that it is likely to be a human carcinogen, based on evidence from lab tests on mice which showed tumor growth following oral exposure. Despite this, the FDA permits the use of selenium sulfide in dandruff shampoo at concentrations of up to 1%, deeming it safe in small quantities. This compound is primarily present in anti-dandruff shampoos.

What to look for in labels: Selenium disulfide, or selenium sulfide

Parabens:

Parabens are synthetic preservatives used in cosmetics to prevent bacterial growth. They can mimic estrogen and have raised concerns about potential hormone disruption. The European Union restricts certain parabens due to these concerns, especially in leave-on products. The US hasn't banned parabens, as the FDA considers them safe based on current data.

What to look for in labels: propylparaben (or propyl 4-hydroxylbenzoate), butylparaben (or butyl 4-hydroxylbenzoate), ethylparaben (or ethyl 4-hydroxylbenzoate)

Talc

This highly absorbent mineral is often used in cosmetics for its moisture-absorbing and texturizing properties. For this reason, you will commonly find talc in plenty of aerosol dry shampoos. EU completely banned talc in cosmetic products due to concerns about potential health risks, particularly asbestos contamination (asbestos is a known carcinogen). In contrast, the US considers talc generally safe for cosmetic use, although instances of asbestos-contaminated talc products have raised concerns and led to legal cases.

What to look for in labels: talc, talcum or talcum powder, cosmetic talc or magnesium silicate

So…What Can You Do About It?

  1. Get familiar with ingredients banned in EU:

    Compared to that of the US, the EU's cosmetics regulations generally take a more cautious approach to ingredient safety.

  2. Read the labels:

    Yes, we don’t judge a book by its cover, and we don’t buy a cosmetic product without knowing its content! The Environmental Working Group has an immense database just for cosmetics. It’s a great resource for double-checking potentially harmful product ingredients.

Like this stuff? It would mean the world to me if you can share with your friends and family! Your support is the best kind of motivation 😃 😃 😃 😃

GLO ABOVE & BEYOND

A new category of cosmetics is burgeoning with the impending launch of Athletic Cosmetic Company, a brand combining athletics, beauty and luxury.

After selling her plant-based skincare brand Babo Botanicals in 2018, Kate Solomon took a break from the beauty industry. However, her interest reignited when her son enrolled in Florida's Club Med Academies for competitive tennis training. This sparked the idea for her new endeavor, the Athletic Cosmetic Company, developed in collaboration with Dominique van Boekel, a former professional Dutch tennis player and co-founder of the academy.

Kate Solomon, founder of Babo Botanicals

Scheduled to launch on October 2nd, Athletic Cosmetic Company enters the beauty arena with a trio of products: a $42 hyaluronic gel serum, a $28 waterproof mascara, and a $22 hybrid lip and cheek stain. The brand aims to extend the trend of "athluxury," seen in high-end athletic wear, into the beauty sector. This strategic move aligns with the concept of social wellness, where fitness spaces have evolved into social hubs, coupled with the increasing influence of social media that emphasizes appearance within the athletic world.

The brand's formulations are tailor-made for athletes, catering to their unique needs. The lip stain is engineered to endure hydration breaks, the mascara is sweat-resistant, and the hyaluronic acid serum provides a cooling effect upon application.

Dominique van Boekel, cofounder of Athletic Cosmetic Company and former professional tennis player.

Starting in October, we will see this brand selling on their direct-to-consumer website, wellness clinics, and partnering fitness studios. With an estimated first-year sales target of $500,000, Solomon and van Boekel intend to collaborate with college athletes, recognizing the potential for sponsorships within various sports teams.

GLOSSIP

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  • SALES EVENTS

    Clarins 7-piece gift End of Summer Splash (CODE: SUMMEREND23)

    La Roche Posay 20% off (CODE: RESTOCK)

    Kopari 20% off site wide plus free full size mystery gift

That’s it for today friends! Will see you again next week!