If you’re thinking about refreshing your bathroom shelf, it might be time to consider tossing everything out instead.
A new study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Black-founded all-natural online marketplace BLK + GRN has revealed that over 3,000 personal care products marketed toward Black women—nearly 80%—contain at least one toxic ingredient.
“I think a lot of people assume that if something’s on the shelf in a store, it’s safe. But that’s not the case,” said Kristian Edwards, founder of BLK + GRN, in a video about the findings.
The EWG’s senior scientist, Alexa Friedman, shared with theGrio that the group conducted research from December 2023 to August 2024, including in-store data collection and online research. Working with BLK + GRN, they found 4,011 products targeted at Black women that contained harmful chemicals.
“Everyone deserves access to safe products,” Friedman explained. “The goal of this report is to give consumers the knowledge they need about the chemicals in their personal care items.”
Some of the most harmful ingredients include formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones, and undisclosed fragrances. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, for instance, can cause skin reactions and, over time, expose users to formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. As for undisclosed fragrances, these can contain over 300 different ingredients, some linked to cancer and reproductive health issues. Products like relaxers and hair dyes, which often have semi-permanent effects, remain a big concern.
While the report may make you want to throw everything out, Edwards emphasized in the video that the intention is not to “fearmonger.”
Friedman also pointed out that doing a complete overhaul of your beauty routine isn’t realistic for most people. Instead, she suggests making small changes. If there’s a high-hazard product you can’t part with—say, a leave-in conditioner or a sunscreen that works wonders for your skin—consider swapping out something else with a high-hazard ingredient that you don’t rely on as much.
To help with this process, EWG’s Skin Deep database, launched in 2004, makes it easier for consumers to check the safety of products. The online resource rates products based on their ingredients, safety, and regulatory information.
This latest study, released in February, updates a 2016 EWG report that looked into whether there’s been any change in the toxicity of products aimed at specific demographic groups. While the 2016 study found that nearly 80% of products marketed to Black women contained toxic ingredients, Friedman confirmed that while some improvements have been made, toxicity remains a major issue.
