Searching for Less Toxic Personal Care Products? Look for these Labels

In the United States, consumer care and household cleaning products are virtually unregulated. Third-party certifications can help identify safer products.

Many people assume that a government agency, such as the FDA, reviews the safety of cosmetics or household products before being made available to consumers. That is not the case. Personal care and cleaning products are virtually unregulated in the United States, with companies permitted to use harmful chemicals without FDA approval or even basic safety studies. The regulatory framework for dealing with chemical safety in the US is reactive. In other words, unsafe chemicals are banned only after they’ve been demonstrated to pose a health risk, and thus after people become sick due to exposure. Despite a growing consensus among scientists that people are being exposed to an alarming array of hazardous and carcinogenic compounds, the US has banned only 11 chemicals for use in consumer products since the Toxic Substances Control Act was introduced in 1978. That’s 11 chemicals out of the 84,000 in use. For comparison, the EU has outlawed 1,328.

The reality is that it’s up to the consumer to discern what products are safe. Perhaps you check the ingredients list to see if it has any dangerous chemicals. The problem here is that manufacturers aren’t required to disclose all the ingredients. To sidestep the ingredients-labeling requirement, many companies simply lump all the questionable ingredients under the broad class of “fragrances” — essentially hiding what’s in them. The lack of regulation and transparency creates great deal of uncertainty for consumers.

Since we cannot trust our government to shield us from toxic products, how can we find safer alternatives? Several reputable organizations help consumers find safer products. These independent, non-profit groups provide third-party testing to ensure they do not contain any recognized carcinogens or chemicals of concern like PFAS, formaldehyde or phthalates. Next time you’re out shopping, look for these labels on cosmetics or cleaning products.

The Safer Choice label means a product’s ingredients have been reviewed by EPA scientists according to strict health and safety criteria. It applies primarily to cleaning products.

The EWG label certifies that a product adheres to ingredient disclosure rules as well as health and safety standards. It certifies cleaning products as well as cosmetics.

The Ecologo designation signifies a product that has undergone thorough scientific testing to demonstrate its compliance with third-party environmental standards.

Green Seal, established in 1989, is the oldest environmental certification organization. It applies to cleaning products and packaging.

NSF International is a widely respected organization which sets industry standards in a variety of fields. Their logo indicates compliance with health and sustainability standards.

Stephen Bell is an environmental specialist in New York City.