The Power of Choice: How Shopping Smart Can Lead to Better Health
Interview by Jasmine Dionne Souers
We often think fancy products make us look good. But did you know they can also harm our health? I had a chat with Dr. Dede Teteh and Tiah Tomlin-Harris about how some beauty products can increase the risk of cancer, especially for Black people. Even though these items might make us look and feel better, they can secretly damage our health. But don't worry - we can do something about it.
The beauty industry has been called out for not including all skin tones and hair types. Women of color often don't have many options that suit their unique needs. Plus, many products out there contain chemicals that can harm our health and the planet, including increasing our chances of getting cancer.
Dr. Teteh, an Assistant Professor of Public Health, has been studying the relationship between these products and Black identity for almost ten years with community partners. One study showed that many didn't know about harmful chemicals in beauty products. Plus, many black women didn't want to stop using their favorite products, even if they could be dangerous.
For many black women, hair is a big part of who they are. The idea of giving up certain products was met with anger and other emotions. But Dr. Teteh says more and more people are starting to talk about these harmful chemicals, thanks to news reports and growing awareness.
This move towards safer, non-toxic products is empowering and helps address the specific needs of this diverse community. Dr. Teteh is continuing these types of conversations with community members and research colleagues through the Bench to Community Initiative.
What Exactly is 'Clean Beauty'?
'Clean beauty' is a term that's been popping up a lot recently. People are becoming more aware of the health risks linked to beauty products. But Dr. Teteh warns that 'clean beauty' might not be as simple as it seems.
Big companies have started using 'clean beauty' to sell more products. The term suggests these products are safe, but it's often just a way to attract people who care about their health. This can mislead people trying to make healthier choices.
Also, 'clean beauty' usually only refers to makeup, leaving out other daily-use items like hair and skincare products, even cleaning supplies. These can also contain harmful chemicals.
That's why Dr. Teteh prefers terms like 'non-toxic' or 'safer product selection.' These cover more than just makeup and stress the importance of being mindful of what we put on and in our bodies, from dish soap to sprays.
Men should also pay attention to this. They can be exposed to harmful chemicals through their personal care products too. As Dr. Teteh says, research shows that black men, like women, need to be aware of the chemicals they're exposed to.
"Even though 'clean beauty' sounds nice, we're really talking about teaching people to choose safer alternatives," said Dr. Teteh. "It's about reducing the harmful substances we come into contact with every day. It might not sound as cool as 'clean beauty,' but it's a super important discussion for everyone who cares about their health."
Standing Up for Safer Products
Tiah, a breast cancer survivor and CEO of My Style Matters, adds a personal touch to this issue. After being diagnosed in 2015, she started replacing potentially harmful products in her home with DIY alternatives. This made her question the safety of the products she had been using and how they were affecting her body.
Tiah's path to smart shopping wasn't easy. At first, such changes were seen as strange in her community. But after her diagnosis, she understood the importance of being health-conscious. She started learning more and connecting with organizations that could provide more information.
Starting at Home: Learning About Safe Beauty Products
Tiah believes that understanding our bodies and the things we use on them is really important. She runs an organization called My Style Matters and her Breast Health Matters program teaches young girls and women about how their bodies work and how some products can affect them.
When girls hit puberty, their bodies change a lot, including their breast tissue cells becoming more sensitive. So, Tiah's team teaches these girls about these changes and the risks of using certain products. They hope this early education might help girls make healthier choices in the future.
The girls also learn how to use mobile apps like Detox Me to scan products and see what's inside them. This knowledge can help them influence their families to choose safer products too. They are even encouraged to think about careers in creating safer products for black women, extending the reach of their education. In addition to education, My Style Matters provides non-toxic care packages to women in active treatment to kickstart their journey to choosing safer products.
There are other resources out there as well for selecting safer products, such as the Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project and the BLK + GRN All-Natural Marketplace. These platforms not only guide people towards healthier options but also support communities of color by putting money back into them.
Taking it to the Lawmakers
Tiah and Dr. Teteh support the Safer Beauty Bill package, which is a group of four bills that aim to protect people who are most exposed to harmful chemicals, like nail care and hair salon workers. These bills also want to make product labels clearer so everyone knows exactly what they're using.
While changes in laws can take time, there are different organizations working towards safer product laws in various states. This shows the need for everyone to work together – through personal actions, education, and advocacy – to make a safer future possible.
How to Switch to Safer Products
Ready to make a change? Here are some tips to help you switch to safer, non-toxic products:
Use apps like Clearya, Detox Me, or EWG’s Health Living and Skin Deep databases to learn about harmful ingredients in beauty and personal care products. Look out for chemicals like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, formaldehyde, and synthetic fragrances.
Try out smaller brands that may use safer ingredients.
Join online communities or social media groups that talk about safe beauty products and share your concerns and questions.
Start by changing your everyday items, like cleansers, moisturizers, and hair care products. Later, you can switch your makeup, detergents, and cleaning supplies too.
Think about making your own skincare or haircare products with natural ingredients. You can find many easy recipes online.
Remember, it's okay to start small. Even reducing the number of products you use can be a step towards better health.
This move towards safer products isn't about blaming specific brands or products. It is a call for the beauty industry to be more responsible and inclusive.
This powerful movement of people choosing safer, non-toxic alternatives is reshaping the beauty industry. It is promoting inclusivity, representation, and environmental consciousness. It is an inspiring force that brings positive change to the lives of people of color and beyond.
