Consumer Safety Archives - Cosmetics Info

Misinformation May Increase Risks to Young Adults Seeking “Perfect Tan”

Consumer Safety, Suncreen / By HarringtonS

A troubling trend has been gaining traction among teenagers and young adults: increasing sun exposure for a “perfect tan.” Medical experts have long documented the ultraviolet (UV) exposure risks such as increased skin cancer rates, melasma and skin aging; however, social media influencers are spreading dangerous tanning misinformation to their followers. What’s more is a […]

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Will you please grab the mayo from the fridge? It’s next to the shampoo.

Consumer Safety, Preservatives / By Jeremy Borseth

By Stephen Foster, Jenna Blankenship, Rosanna Stokes Running after work has always cleared Paul’s mind. After a run, he looks forward to a post-workout shower followed by a quick meal. He grabs turkey and mayo from the fridge and makes his favorite sandwich. Before he can finish, his daughter pulls him away for a tea party-related crisis. The

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Explaining Cosmetics Allergens

Consumer Safety / By Jeremy Borseth

Did you know that anyone can develop an allergy at any age to virtually any substance? An allergic reaction is the body’s way of responding to an “invader.” When the body senses a foreign substance, called an antigen, the immune system is triggered. The immune system normally protects the body from harmful agents such as

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Product Sampling in a COVID-19 World

Consumer Safety / By Jeremy Borseth

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered our daily lives. Earlier this year, we experienced a complete lockdown/stay at home order as public health officials struggled with how to control this public health crisis. Over time, however, as the trend of new infections has begun to stabilize, many states have loosened lockdown restrictions and stores

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Protecting Products from Becoming a Microbial Meal

Consumer Safety, Fragrance, Preservatives, Shelf Life / By Jeremy Borseth

We use many personal care and cosmetics products every day to help us look our best. Virtually all of these products – including shampoos, conditioners, hair styling aids, facial/body lotions, color cosmetics, makeup wipes, etc. – contain a lot of water, which acts primarily as a solvent. The downside of water? Water is the lifeblood

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Protect Your Health: Use Sunscreen Every Day

Consumer Safety, Suncreen / By Jeremy Borseth

As a dermatologist, I recommend everyone – men, women and children older than six months – wear sunscreen every time you go outside, year-round. I know many people only think about sunscreen as the weather gets warmer; and since most of us have been staying indoors at home to help slow the spread of COVID-19,

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Making Sense of Science

Consumer Safety / By Jeremy Borseth

A recent study published in the International Journal of Cancer has triggered a flurry of misguided media activity and possibly consumer concern about a potential association between hair dyes/straighteners and breast cancer. The problem is, association does not equal causation – one does not necessarily lead to the other. The links between coloring/straightening treatments and

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The Safety of the Fragrances You Love

Consumer Safety, Fragrance, Labeling / By Jeremy Borseth

Scent is an emotional sense. I bet – without difficulty – you can conjure up any number of smells and attach it to a memory: your first perfume, your grandmother’s hand lotion, your father’s aftershave. The fragrances used in these products give pleasure to people around the world who use and enjoy them every day.

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Where Beauty Meets Science: The Role of R&D Microbiology in Product Formulation

Consumer Safety, Preservatives, Shelf Life / By Jeremy Borseth

The development of new cosmetics products is an iterative, collaborative, and highly technical process. In order for formulators to create products that deliver the benefits desired by consumers, scientists must first ensure the ingredients are safe. Once its components are determined to be safe and effective, chemists evaluate the physical and chemical stability of the

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7 Sunscreen Myths Debunked by Beauty Scientists

Consumer Safety, Suncreen / By Jeremy Borseth

With temperatures steadily rising across the United States, many people are adding this seasonal must-have to their daily skincare routines and vacation packing lists: sunscreens. Whether it’s using a daily moisturizer and lip balm with SPF or applying a sunscreen head-to-toe before laying poolside, there are a few common misconceptions about sunscreen products that all

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Halloween Face Products: How to Choose Them and How to Use Them

Consumer Safety, Labeling / By Jeremy Borseth

With Halloween fast approaching, you might be considering the use of some face paint with your or your children’s costumes. Luckily, face paint is regulated the same as your everyday cosmetics – but there are some things to keep in mind when purchasing and using Halloween makeup in order to keep you and your family

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Counterfeit Cosmetics: Too Good to be True?

Consumer Safety, Counterfeits, Shelf Life / By Jeremy Borseth

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that the value of trade-related counterfeit goods amounts to $461 billion annually across the globe. The proliferation of counterfeit products is a very real problem, posing potential health risks for consumers who purchase and use these products from unreliable vendors. At a minimum, counterfeit cosmetic and personal care products

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