Barriers to clean personal care products highlight need for stronger regulations

In a discussion with Contemporary OB/GYN, Lariah M. Edwards, PhD, associate research scientist at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, addressed the barriers women face in reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in personal care products, with a particular focus on women of color in South Los Angeles.

This community, identified as an environmental justice neighborhood, faces multiple challenges including language barriers, limited incomes, and restricted access to affordable “clean” products. Edwards emphasized that while using non-toxic or “clean” products may help lower exposures, these items are often cost-prohibitive, making them inaccessible to many low-income households.

Because of this inequity, Edwards stressed that consumers should not be burdened with the responsibility of navigating complex chemical safety information. Women of color, in particular, should not be expected to become “chemistry experts” in order to protect themselves from exposure to toxic ingredients commonly found in shampoos, lotions, and cosmetics. Instead, Edwards highlighted the need for stronger regulations and market-level changes to shift the responsibility away from consumers and onto companies and policymakers.

For individuals who want to reduce exposures but cannot afford to replace all their personal care products, Edwards suggested practical strategies. One approach is to limit the number of products used daily—for example, skipping unnecessary sprays or cutting back on multiple similar items. Another is to evaluate products as they run out, using resources such as the Clear app or the Environmental Working Group’s Healthy Skin Database to check ingredient safety before making replacement purchases. This allows consumers to gradually shift to cleaner options without unnecessary waste or financial strain.

At the policy level, Edwards pointed to progress through the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, which expanded the FDA’s oversight of personal care products. However, she argued that more robust regulations are needed. Several states have already taken steps by banning harmful chemicals such as phthalates, PFAS, and formaldehyde in cosmetics, but comparable protections are not yet in place at the federal level. Edwards also called for incentives to encourage companies to innovate with safer, non-toxic alternatives, which could increase the availability and affordability of cleaner products on store shelves.

She concluded by noting the important role of advocacy groups, such as WE ACT for Environmental Justice and Black Women for Wellness, which mobilize communities to push for stronger consumer protections. Ultimately, Edwards underscored that systemic change, not individual consumer vigilance, is essential to ensuring equitable protection from harmful exposures in personal care products.

This video is part 2 of a 2-part series. Click here for part 1.

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References

1. Choosing safer personal care products can help lower exposures to risky chemicals. Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. September 17, 2025. Accessed September 22, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098745.
2. Edwards L, Connolly CL, Dodson RE, et al. Examining the role of self-reported product selection strategies in shifting chemical exposures among Black women and Latinas: Lessons from the Taking Stock Study. Environmental Justice. 2025. doi:10.1177/1939407125137644