“The Story of Cosmetics” by Annie Leonard

If you wash your hair, use deodorant or moisturize, take 8 minutes and watch this short video. Annie Leonard, the lady who brought us "The Story of Stuff", is in our bathrooms and it's not pretty. "The Story of Cosmetics" takes a look at the virtually unregulated, $50 billion cosmetic industry and its dependence on chemicals to manufacture the beauty and personal care products we use everyday– chemicals that have been linked to cancer, birth defects and learning disabilities.

On July 21st Congress introduced the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010; this is the first real look at the cosmetics industry in 70 years! If this bill passes the effects will be groundbreaking.

According to safecosmetics.org and their understanding of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, provisions of the legislation would:

* Phase out ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental harm;
* Create a health-based safety standard that includes protections for children, the elderly, workers and other vulnerable populations;
* Close labeling loopholes by requiring full ingredient disclosure on product labels and company web sites, including the constituent ingredients of fragrance and salon products;
* Give workers access to information about unsafe chemicals in personal care products;
* Require data-sharing to avoid duplicative testing and encourage the development of alternatives to animal testing;
* Provide adequate funding to the FDA Office of Cosmetics and Colors so it has the resources it needs to provide effective oversight of the cosmetics industry; and
* Level the playing field so small businesses can compete fairly.

What we can do:

* Ask your U.S. Representative to support the Safe Cosmetics Act.
* Share "The Story of Cosmetics" with the people in your life.