Marielle Segarra

Wow. There is one exception, I should say, for certain color additives. I also want to note that we interviewed Dr. Katz in October 2024, and she retired a few months later this January. So that's why she's the former director. But the FDA confirmed to us that this information is still accurate.

Yeah, it was surprising to me too. And we learned that there aren't actually many chemicals that the FDA bans or restricts in cosmetics. So there is a list, but it's a short one with only 11 ingredients, and those include things like chloroform and mercury compounds. Right. More than half of those regulations happened in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Yeah, it was surprising to me too. And we learned that there aren't actually many chemicals that the FDA bans or restricts in cosmetics. So there is a list, but it's a short one with only 11 ingredients, and those include things like chloroform and mercury compounds. Right. More than half of those regulations happened in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Yeah, it was surprising to me too. And we learned that there aren't actually many chemicals that the FDA bans or restricts in cosmetics. So there is a list, but it's a short one with only 11 ingredients, and those include things like chloroform and mercury compounds. Right. More than half of those regulations happened in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

But the problem is that some of the ingredients in cosmetics today, like formaldehyde or phthalates, parabens, they're concerning to the scientists who study their effects on human health. We talked to Dana Yano. She's an epidemiologist at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

But the problem is that some of the ingredients in cosmetics today, like formaldehyde or phthalates, parabens, they're concerning to the scientists who study their effects on human health. We talked to Dana Yano. She's an epidemiologist at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

But the problem is that some of the ingredients in cosmetics today, like formaldehyde or phthalates, parabens, they're concerning to the scientists who study their effects on human health. We talked to Dana Yano. She's an epidemiologist at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

Well, one thing we were wondering when we reported this is if these cosmetic ingredients are so concerning and there's evidence that they're linked to endocrine disruption or cancer, why hasn't the FDA banned them? What's the answer? We got a couple answers. One, and this is our first takeaway, is that the safety of some cosmetic ingredients is still being debated.

Well, one thing we were wondering when we reported this is if these cosmetic ingredients are so concerning and there's evidence that they're linked to endocrine disruption or cancer, why hasn't the FDA banned them? What's the answer? We got a couple answers. One, and this is our first takeaway, is that the safety of some cosmetic ingredients is still being debated.

Well, one thing we were wondering when we reported this is if these cosmetic ingredients are so concerning and there's evidence that they're linked to endocrine disruption or cancer, why hasn't the FDA banned them? What's the answer? We got a couple answers. One, and this is our first takeaway, is that the safety of some cosmetic ingredients is still being debated.

On its website, the FDA says, under U.S. law, cosmetic companies are responsible for marketing, quote, safe, properly labeled products using no prohibited ingredients. But what does safe mean? Here's Linda Katz, formerly of the FDA.

On its website, the FDA says, under U.S. law, cosmetic companies are responsible for marketing, quote, safe, properly labeled products using no prohibited ingredients. But what does safe mean? Here's Linda Katz, formerly of the FDA.

On its website, the FDA says, under U.S. law, cosmetic companies are responsible for marketing, quote, safe, properly labeled products using no prohibited ingredients. But what does safe mean? Here's Linda Katz, formerly of the FDA.

She says to be considered injurious or unsafe, a product would have to cause a serious adverse event. like significant hair loss, persistent rashes, disfigurement, birth defects, inpatient hospitalization, a life-threatening experience, or death. Of course, if you get cancer or if your hormones are going haywire, it's hard to pin that to using a particular product with a particular ingredient.

She says to be considered injurious or unsafe, a product would have to cause a serious adverse event. like significant hair loss, persistent rashes, disfigurement, birth defects, inpatient hospitalization, a life-threatening experience, or death. Of course, if you get cancer or if your hormones are going haywire, it's hard to pin that to using a particular product with a particular ingredient.

She says to be considered injurious or unsafe, a product would have to cause a serious adverse event. like significant hair loss, persistent rashes, disfigurement, birth defects, inpatient hospitalization, a life-threatening experience, or death. Of course, if you get cancer or if your hormones are going haywire, it's hard to pin that to using a particular product with a particular ingredient.

Emily Barrett is an epidemiologist at the Rutgers School of Public Health.

Emily Barrett is an epidemiologist at the Rutgers School of Public Health.

Emily Barrett is an epidemiologist at the Rutgers School of Public Health.

Emily says it's especially hard to prove that something is a carcinogen. It's difficult and expensive. And so a lot of the evidence we have on cosmetics comes from animal studies.