From everyday items like shampoo and sunscreen to tampons and hair products, many personal care products sold in the United States contain chemicals linked to cancer, infertility, and hormone disruption—substances that are restricted or outright banned in the European Union and other parts of the world. Yet in the U.S., there is no federal law requiring companies to disclose these potentially harmful ingredients. Only the state of California enforces limited transparency, leaving most American consumers unaware of what they’re routinely applying—and absorbing—into their bodies.
For Tiah Tomlin-Harris, a two-time survivor of triple-negative breast cancer, that lack of transparency became a personal mission. Diagnosed before the age of 40 without any genetic predisposition, she began questioning the root causes of her illness. Genetic tests offered no answers, placing her among the estimated 80–90% of breast cancer patients whose diagnoses are not tied to family history. With a background in pharmaceutical chemistry, Tomlin-Harris turned her attention to the labels on products in her home.
“I started to dig into the causations,” she told FOX. “The first thing I did was remove every single product in my house—from hair care to dish detergent. I went back to grandma’s remedies—baking soda, vinegar—because I didn’t know what was safe anymore.” Her research revealed an alarming reality: even widely trusted brands often include potentially dangerous chemicals in their formulas.
While Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken steps to eliminate toxic additives in processed foods, the personal care sector remains largely unaddressed. Meanwhile, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary openly acknowledges that the agency operates in a “deregulatory mindset,” stating, “[We’ve] been regulating too much.”
That regulatory gap has spurred the rise of consumer-focused tools like Yuka and Clearya, apps that allow users to scan product barcodes to assess ingredient safety. “Most people are shocked,” said Julie Chapon, co-founder of Yuka. “They assume green packaging means safety.”
Tomlin-Harris also called attention to the unequal burden placed on women of color—particularly Black women. “We spend nine times more on beauty products than any other demographic, yet these products often contain the most harmful ingredients—parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, benzene,” she said. “These aren’t just linked to cancer. They’re weakening chemotherapy drugs. They’re disrupting hormones. They’re impacting fertility—for men and women.”
A Consumer Reports investigation uncovered carcinogenic chemicals in 10 top-selling braiding hair brands—many of which specifically target Black women and young girls.
Janet Nudelman, Director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, echoed those concerns, noting that consumers are often forced to choose “between protecting against skin cancer versus increasing their risk of breast cancer” due to toxic ingredients. Dr. Leonardo Trasande, whose research explores the health effects of everyday chemicals, described the system as “rigged to produce chemical exposures that are toxic to our hormones.” According to Trasande, the result is higher healthcare costs and lifelong impacts on reproductive and developmental health.
There are signs of progress. The Safer Beauty Bill package has been reintroduced in Congress, aiming to ban hazardous ingredients, expand ingredient transparency, and protect at-risk populations, including hairstylists, nail technicians, and women of color. But until meaningful reforms are passed, the onus remains on individual consumers.
FDA Commissioner Makary maintains that reform is on the horizon: “We’re doing an inventory of all chemicals in the food supply to see how we can make it safer.” Still, advocacy groups argue the U.S. lags far behind the EU when it comes to regulating personal care product safety.
Industry voices defend current standards. The Personal Care Products Council said in a statement: “PCPC and our member companies are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of safety, quality and transparency.”
But advocates like Tomlin-Harris say reassurances are no substitute for meaningful action. “This isn’t just a women’s issue,” she emphasized. “It’s a people’s issue. Men are affected. Children are affected. Our entire population is being exposed to chemicals we didn’t consent to, and we’re paying the price.”
Her call to action is unambiguous: “We need transparency. We need regulation. And we need accountability from the companies creating these products. It’s time to detox our routines, demand safer alternatives, and prioritize our health.”
