San Francisco Teens San Francisco Teens Learn the Beauty of Learn the Beauty of

NonNon--Toxic CosmeticsToxic Cosmetics

Brooke SommerfeldtBrooke SommerfeldtCity of San Francisco City of San Francisco Department of the EnvironmentDepartment of the Environment

OverviewOverview

•• 1) What are cosmetics and what is the 1) What are cosmetics and what is the problem?problem?

•• 2) The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics2) The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics•• 3) San Francisco Teen Safe Cosmetics 3) San Francisco Teen Safe Cosmetics

ProjectProject

What are cosmetics and what is the What are cosmetics and what is the problem?problem?

•• Cosmetics contain toxic Cosmetics contain toxic ingredients that are absorbed ingredients that are absorbed into our bodiesinto our bodies

•• Examples: Examples: –– FormaldehydeFormaldehyde–– LeadLead–– PhthalatesPhthalates–– Petroleum distillatesPetroleum distillates

Regulation of CosmeticsRegulation of Cosmetics

•• FDA is the regulatory agencyFDA is the regulatory agency•• Cosmetics firms are Cosmetics firms are

responsible for substantiating responsible for substantiating safetysafety

•• Allows for little to no testing Allows for little to no testing requirements, misleading requirements, misleading labeling, hidden ingredients labeling, hidden ingredients

•• European Union has banned European Union has banned 1,100+ chemicals from 1,100+ chemicals from cosmeticscosmetics

The Campaign for Safe CosmeticsThe Campaign for Safe Cosmetics•• National coalition of health and National coalition of health and

environmental organizationsenvironmental organizations•• Goals are to:Goals are to:

–– Phase out the use of toxic chemicalsPhase out the use of toxic chemicals–– Compact for Safe CosmeticsCompact for Safe Cosmetics-- A pledge to remove A pledge to remove

toxic chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives. Over toxic chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives. Over 600 companies have signed600 companies have signed

•• Skin Deep ReportSkin Deep Report

San Francisco Teen ProjectSan Francisco Teen Project•• Why teens?Why teens?

–– High product usageHigh product usage–– Cosmetics can be a Cosmetics can be a ““gateway issuegateway issue””

•• Presentations in San Francisco High Schools Presentations in San Francisco High Schools •• Teen Safe Cosmetics GroupTeen Safe Cosmetics Group-- teen driven teen driven

activitiesactivities

Group ActivitiesGroup Activities

Store Tour

DIY Cosmetic Recipes

Community ActivitiesCommunity ActivitiesTabling at Events

Project Prom

Teen Safe Teen Safe Makeover EventMakeover Event•• 200+ SF teens200+ SF teens•• Location was keyLocation was key•• Partnership with nonPartnership with non--

profits and businessesprofits and businesses

Where Do We Go Next?Where Do We Go Next?

•• Develop specific Develop specific materials outreach materials outreach materials targeting San materials targeting San Francisco high school Francisco high school studentsstudents

•• 200 students surveyed200 students surveyed•• Results of NoteResults of Note

–– Many males/females use Many males/females use the same productsthe same products

–– Use many products with Use many products with fragrancefragrance

Arming a New Generation of Arming a New Generation of Toxics Reduction AdvocatesToxics Reduction Advocates