Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act Fails

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Very good news to report this morning. Yesterday, the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act HB 10-1248 failed in a vote 7 - 4. I listened live via my computer and man was it exciting. I've never been privy to a formal legislative action related to the cosmetic industry. Can I just say, WOW! This is a huge victory but there is still more that needs to be done.

I won't do a play by play of the 3.5hr long session, I'll just provide a brief paragraph from both sides of the isle.

For the bill
Susan Roll, Vice Chair of the Women's Lobby of Colorado, and a founding member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Ms. Roll was asked by Representative Daniel Kagan where the independent scientific studies are and why they had not been brought to their attention in the course of lobbying this bill. Ms. Roll replied, "I am not a scientist, I'm a social worker. I am reading what you are reading, also just trying to make some educated guesses about it, honestly".

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CFSC), which I use to be a member, is a dangerous organization. Their claims are based on "guess" and "think". They did not bring scientific claims to the table that would justify their position on HB 10-1248.

Against the bill
Speaking of facts, Dr. Richard Adamson, a former cancer researcher who is now a representative of the Personal Care Products Council, spoke of facts. I was mesmerized by his testimony. Dr. Adamson received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Drake University and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Iowa and his doctorate at 23. He also holds a M.A. in International Law and International Affairs from the George Washington University and has further graduate training in science, operational research and government and management.

During Dr. Adamson's testimony, he indicated that any ingredient that is from the soil, meaning, if it grew, would contain trace amounts of lead. Lead is not knowingly added to lipstick, however, trace amounts of lead may appear if it contains ingredients from the soil. "You would have to consume 3 to 4 tubes of lipstick per day for 70 years to reach toxic lead exposure".

So, do you think consumers deserve educated guesses or facts? If you would like to read posts from others on this, please check out the following links:

Soap Leaves - Colorado votes for sound research and good science

Essential U - Colorado House Committee is Told "We Don't Have the Science" & Votes No

Indie Business Blog - Bad Science and Bad Public Policy Combine to Defeat Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act

Thanks for stopping by and I hope y'all have a great day!





Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Cosmetic Ingredients | What's In Your Bath & Body Product?

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. I felt compelled to write this after reading so many posts that are aimed at scaring the consumer in reference to toxic chemicals in their personal care products.

You, the consumer, are a very savvy bunch of smart cookies. Read the labels on your cosmetic products and while on a company's website, read their ingredient listings. If a company doesn't list all the ingredients for a product on their website or only tout the "natural" or "organic" ingredients then I have to wonder what they have to hide.

I belong to the Cosmetics and Beauty Network group on LinkedIn that had a discussion posted that was titled "Did You Know The Average Consumer Puts 515 Chemicals On Their Face/Body Everyday?". I had to respond because statements like this are very alarming. Donna Maria, CEO of Indie Beauty posted a reply as well and in part said "Would you rather use a facial cream with a tiny amount of chemical preservative that has been proven safe, or would you rather use a facial cream with no preservative that will grow bacteria and mold that could blind you or a family member?"

What concerned me the most about the person who started this discussion was she represents a company that says they produce products with premium botanical ingredients and a commitment to pure, safe and beneficial products. The only problem I see with this statement is that they do not list the ingredients on their website, as far as I can see. If they are listed then I must need to be a psychic to find them.


Cactus & Ivy proudly lists the ingredients for every product on our website. We list the ingredients on a product label as required by the FDA Labeling Guidelines. There are a wealth of sites that provide information without using "scare tactics" to make you believe the current lotion or soap you are using will cause cancer.

As I've stated in the past, let me say this again. Cactus & Ivy is and always will be for providing safe cosmetics and personal care products. If you ever have a question about an ingredient used in our products, my door is wide open. I welcome your questions and/or feedback.

For more information on cosmetics, ingredients and regulations, check out the links below:

Cosmetics Info - "Your source for safety information about cosmetic and personal care products, their ingredients and how they are tested and regulated."

Personal Care Products Council - "is the leading national trade association for the cosmetic and personal care products industry and represents the most innovative names in beauty today."

Cosmetic Ingredient Review - "Mission: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review thoroughly reviews and assesses the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics in an open, unbiased, and expert manner, and publishes the results in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Truth In Aging - Organic vs Natural Cosmetic Standards

The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) - "an association of manufacturers of cosmetic, toiletry and perfumery products, founded in 1945 to promote the interests of members, primarily with government. That remit has now extended to include the European Commission and many other regulatory bodies, national and international groups.

Confidence in Cosmetics

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a great day!





Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy