A few years ago I became aware of what I like to call the Johnson & Johnson scandal. Basically, the big baby shampoo and tear free kids’ shampoo brand was called out on having different formulas that were formaldehyde free in countries where there were stricter guidelines. The US is not one of those countries that has strict guidelines so, yes, you guessed it: the J&J soaps and shampoos in the US contained the formaldehyde formula. Why? Well, the formaldehyde containing formula is less expensive to make and simply because no one took on the challenge of calling J&J out. That is, until a coalition of 150 non-profits, The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, took it upon themselves to bring this dirty little secret to the public’s attention by issuing a public letter regarding the issue. That was in 2011. This past January, in a letter posted on their website, J&J has announced that they have removed formaldehyde releasing preservatives out of their baby and personal care products,
We’re pleased to have met our 2013 Safety and Care Commitment to remove formaldehyde-releasing preservatives from our baby products and reduce traces of 1,4 dioxane in all of our baby and adult care products, everywhere around the world.
I was shocked and completely irritated when I found out about this in 2011. As a mom, I trusted Johnson & Johnson. I trusted their brand name, their recognizable products and the history of trust they had gained with thousands for parents. I tried to pretend that maybe it was just an alarmist Internet rumor but when I read the the Obama administration released a report that preservatives containing formaldehyde are Known Human Carcinogens. Carcinogens can cause cancer. Any time you enter the “c” word and it involves my family, you better believe that I’m going to pay attention.
After doing tons of research on the issue, understanding that unfortunately our standards for product ingredients are just not that strict here in the US as they are in other places, I started using the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep Database before I purchase anything that goes on my family’s skin. If you’re unfamiliar with the Skin Deep Database, it’s pretty easy for you to use as a consumer.
The database has a non-harmful vs. harmful ranking system that’s easy to read: green means safe, yellow means it’s kind of safe and red, well, you’re right…means STAY AWAY!! Sometimes red can also mean that the company has not provided EWG with the complete list of their ingredients so it’s inconclusive for the non-profit to say whether or not the product is safe for use.
You can go into their database and search for a specific product or you can use their helpful guides. Last summer I used their sunscreen guide to determine the kind of sunscreen we should use. They also have a guide for household cleaners.
I hate being an alarmist but the truth of the matter is that with the invention of convenience in the 1950’s came an entirely new way of living. It was easier but at what cost? There are so many blogs out there devoted to getting back to the old way of living maybe it’s only a matter of time before we look at how our grandparents and great grandparents lived and follow suit. In the meantime use technology to your advantage and use Skin Deep before you purchase anything.
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