Over 50% of people around the world use some sort of beauty product everyday. From soap and shampoos to cosmetics and skincare, the beauty industry has taken people by storm, giving millions of people different ways to take of and express themselves. Behind each product, however, is an extensive list of ingredients that many people don’t look too deep into. The FDA warns against such ingredients such as PFAS and parabens that are commonly found in beauty products and can cause negative lasting effects on peoples’ health and safety. However, the degree of risk depends on exposure and the formulation of the product, as well as the skin health of the person themselves. Different products can have different effects on people based on skin texture, sensitivity, and allergies. That’s why it’s important to look into products from a personal viewpoint before trying new things.
The effects of beauty products go beyond just the exposure of harmful chemicals. Their reach extends towards the mind, having effects on peoples’ self esteem and mindset. A simple interest in such products can quickly turn into an addiction if usage is not controlled. In addition, peer pressure and societal trends can push people into trying new products that they may not even need. This can be seen through the popularity of the skincare brand “Drunk Elephant” among young children. This brand offered products with active ingredients not suitable for children, but through social media gained many young customers that began using products that were too harsh for their skin. Eventually, even the company lost its reputation due to the trend of children using their products. This shows that if customers are negatively impacted, the company can be impacted negatively as well.
How businesses deal with product risks
Businesses work hard to ensure their products meets the regulations enforced by law. This can be a gray area however, because adhering to the law doesn’t always mean it is beneficial for the people. According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), 65% of companies prioritize profit over meticulous safety evaluation. This shows that many companies simply do the bare minimum when it comes to safety testing, and that can put their customers at risk. This is why even products with labels that say FDA approved, organic, or clean, could have potentially harmful ingredients.
So what can we do to minimize our risk?
The simple truth is, we cannot give up using beauty products completely. What we can do is research the products we use and look into their ingredients. Rather than making a decision to use a new product based on a brand’s spokesperson or an influencer on a social platform, make a choice based on your situation. Find the ingredients that are best for you and worst for you, and match those to products to make the best hypothesis on what will work for you. Purchase products that are paraben free and FDA approved. And don’t depend on beauty to feel good. Give your body breaks between applications and don’t use more than recommended.
Image Credit: LovelynM
Citations:
Alnuqaydan, A. M. (2024). The dark side of beauty: An in-depth analysis of the health hazards and toxicological impact of synthetic cosmetics and personal care products. Frontiers in Public Health, 12(1439027). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1439027
Ludmir, C. (2025, May 27). What Went Wrong With Drunk Elephant. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/claraludmir/2025/05/27/what-went-wrong-with-drunk-elephant/
in. (2024, September 2). COSMESURE. Cosmesure. https://www.cosmesure.uk/blog/risk/management