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Not Just a Pretty Face

The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry
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( 511 ratings, 83 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Not Just a Pretty Face investigates the hidden dangers lurking in everyday cosmetics and personal care products. Stacy Malkan exposes how the powerful $35 billion beauty industry has avoided regulation, leaving consumers vulnerable to harmful chemicals like lead, coal tar, and phthalates. The book contrasts lax US regulations with stringent European bans and reveals the widespread use of substances linked to cancer and reproductive harm. Beyond women, the book highlights risks faced by men and children, calling for urgent reforms and safer alternatives.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers interested in health, consumer advocacy, and environmental issues, as well as anyone concerned about product safety and regulatory policies.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Lead in lipstick, carcinogens in baby shampoo the cosmetics industry needs a makeover! Discover what happens when a group of breast cancer activists and environmentalists knock on the doors of the world's largest cosmetics companies to demand safe, non-toxic products.

The girls' guide to giving the cosmetics industry a makeover.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Lead in lipstick? 1,4 dioxane in baby soap? Coal tar in shampoo? How is this possible? Simple. The $35 billion cosmetics industry is so powerful that they've kept themselves unregulated for decades. Not one cosmetic product has to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration before hitting the market.

Incredible? Consider this: The European Union has banned more than 1,100 chemicals from cosmetics. The United States has banned just 10. Only 11% of chemicals used in cosmetics in the US have been assessed for health and safetyβ€”leaving a staggering 89% with unknown or undisclosed effects.

Over 70% of all personal care products may contain phthalates, which are linked to birth defects and infertility. Many baby soaps are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical 1,4 dioxane. It's not just women who are affected by this chemists' brew. Shampoo, deodorant, face lotion and other products used daily by men, women and children contain hazardous chemicals that the industry claims are "within acceptable limits".

But there's nothing acceptable about daily multiple exposures to carcinogenic chemicalsβ€”from products that are supposed to make us feel healthy and beautiful. Not Just a Pretty Face delves deeply into the dark side of the beauty industry, and looks to hopeful solutions for a healthier future. This scathing investigation peels away less-than-lovely layers to expose an industry in dire need of an extreme makeover.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780865715745

Publisher: New Society Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 October 2007

Country: United States

Imprint: New Society Publishers

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 315g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Stacy Malkan is a former cheerleader who loves make-up. She is the Communications Director of Health Care Without Harm and the media team co-leader for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a national coalition working to eliminate hazardous chemicals in personal care products which she helped to found in 2002.

Stacy is a leading communications strategist for environmental campaigns, and helped initiate the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in 2002, a national coalition working to eliminate hazardous chemicals in personal care products. Stacy grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts.

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