Toxic Chemicals in Personal Care Products
Updates
New Made in the Image of God: Healthy Spa Toolkit for Congregations available for download here.
New reportfrom the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics finds toxic chemicals in children's bath and cosmetics products.
Photo courtesy of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Have you ever wondered how some of the personal care products we use are made? Have you ever stopped to think about the ingredients in these products? The fact of the matter is, not all the personal care products we use are safe for our bodies. Some of the personal care products we use such as hair color, shampoo, hand soap, deodorant, and lotion contain chemicals that may be harmful to our health. Some chemicals have been removed from other products for their known toxicity, but permitted in cosmetics due to lack of government regulation. As Christians, we have a stake in making personal care products safe for all.
What does God require of us?
We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and each of us is beautiful just as we are. But we are required to take good care of our bodies as if they were temples to the Holy Spirit(1 Corinthians 6:19-20). With this in mind, we have to be mindful of the personal care products that we apply to our bodies.
Exposure to toxics in cosmetics
Some toxic chemicals in cosmetics are inhaled or ingested during use. Our skin is the largest organ on our body and chemicals
can enter our bloodstream through it. Some products contain chemicals that help them actually penetrate our skin further. Fragrances contain chemicals that are meant to be inhaled, and nail polish and remover contain solvents that are inhaled. Powders, as well as aerosol products such as deodorants and hair sprays, may also be inhaled during use. Products applied on or around the lips can be ingested during application or afterwards.
Toxics and vulnerable communities
Toxic chemicals in personal care products are also a justice issue. As with other toxic chemicals, children and the fetus are the most vulnerable. Low-income communities and communities of color also are at-risk to toxics in cosmetics since they may not have access to safer cosmetics. Some products even marketed to communities of color contain chemicals of concern such as hydroquinoine, linked to cancer and reproductive challenges, in skin lighteners and placenta in some hair conditioners.
What can we do?
Look for company brands that are endorsers of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.
These companies committed to incorporating safer alternatives into their products over a three-year period. Visit to find a list of signers.
Educate your congregation. Download a faith-based educational flyer to share at an information table at church.
Download Made in the Image of God: A Healthy Spa toolkit for People of Faith to find safe recipes and activities to lead a spa day with your faith community.
We can’t shop our way completely out of this problem- We need a new chemical policy!
We need to enact a comprehensive chemical policy that will protect all of us. Join other people of faith to rebuild our broken, toxic world. Across the country Christians are submitting corporate shareholder resolutions and passing state policies that call for safer alternatives in consumer products, including cosmetics.
People of faith taking action
Host your own Made in the Image of God Healthy Spa gathering. Click here to download a toolkit with recipes and DIY instructions for hosting a gathering.
Chinese Episcopal Ministry (Boston, MA) held a healthy spa activity in their church and now have a safe cosmetics ministry in their church.
Ginger Garret wrote Beauty Secrets of the Bible with tips for safe cosmetics recipes.
Learn more about safe cosmetics
- Look up the safety of your personal care products and to find safer alternatives
- Click here to visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
- Download the Made in the Image of God Healthy Spa Toolkit for healthy spa recipes