BEAUTY SHOULDN'T BE HARMFUL
Out of 4,011 personal care products marketed to Black women, only 21% rate as low hazard in EWG’s Skin Deep® database. Despite some improvements since 2016, major disparities persist—especially in hair care, makeup, and fragranced lotions.
Many of these products contain ingredients linked to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and even cancer—often without clear labeling. Products heavily marketed to Black communities are more likely to include toxic ingredients and fewer safety assurances.
This inequity isn't just about beauty—it's about health, dignity, and justice. Long-term exposure to unsafe ingredients contributes to real harm: higher rates of fibroids, early puberty, and breast cancer in Black women have been connected to cumulative chemical exposures.
These aren't isolated cases—they’re systemic patterns rooted in neglect and industry bias. Fragrance loopholes, inadequate regulations, and a lack of cultural consideration all play a role in this injustice.
