Do consumers need to be worried about the chemicals in their personal care products?

I love the powder makeup, but I do wonder what happens when you breathe it in? Things on the lips, what happens when you, you know, they get inside your mouth? We just don't know.

One lobbying group says, Yes. We should be concerned.

There is lead acetate in hair dyes, lead in lipstick. Formaldehyde in one product in the baby-shampoo and other shampoos.

But the personal care products council, which represents companies that sell cosmetics, says the levels of chemicals are not harmful. It says, quote, our industry has consistently provided scientific information to assure consumers about the safety of our products. It's up to the companies to make sure their products' ingredients are safe, although the FDA has the ability to take action, if a product is thought to be harmful.

Industry doesn't deliberately do us harm, but, you know, their interest is basically to get the product out there that we're gonna love. We need to make sure that we ask them to make us love it and feel safe using it.

Some cosmetics companies are phasing out certain chemicals. They say not because they are unsafe, but due to consumers' demand. Currently, a bill called the Safe Cosmetics Act is before Congress. If you have questions about your cosmetics, check with your dermatologist and go to the FDA website.

I love the powder makeup, but I do wonder what happens when you breathe it in? Things on the lips, what happens when you, you know, they get inside your mouth? We just don't know.

One lobbying group says, Yes. We should be concerned.

There is lead acetate in hair dyes, lead in lipstick. Formaldehyde in one product in the baby-shampoo and other shampoos.

But the personal care products council, which represents companies that sell cosmetics, says the levels of chemicals are not harmful. It says, quote, our industry has consistently provided scientific information to assure consumers about the safety of our products. It's up to the companies to make sure their products' ingredients are safe, although the FDA has the ability to take action, if a product is thought to be harmful.

Industry doesn't deliberately do us harm, but, you know, their interest is basically to get the product out there that we're gonna love. We need to make sure that we ask them to make us love it and feel safe using it.

Some cosmetics companies are phasing out certain chemicals. They say not because they are unsafe, but due to consumers' demand. Currently, a bill called the Safe Cosmetics Act is before Congress. If you have questions about your cosmetics, check with your dermatologist and go to the FDA website.