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Hazardous Chemicals in Holiday Cosmetics Stink

The holidays are upon us and the scent of cosmetic gift baskets is in the air--especially at Bath & Body Works. The retailer's holiday Sugar & Spice, Glittery Gumdrop and Twisted Peppermint products contain a lot of "fragrance," a mystery ingredient often made from dozens--even hundreds--of individual chemicals that don't appear on ingredient labels and that may be more naughty than nice for your health.

The Skin Deep cosmetic safety database lists fragrance as a cosmetic ingredient to avoid whenever possible: http://action.safecosmetics.org/ctt.asp?u=2751931&l=9061

Because of a giant loophole in federal law, companies are not required to list on product labels any of the chemicals in a fragrance mixture. Fragrances can contain neurotoxins, allergens and phthalates, chemicals that have been linked to reproductive problems, testicular cancer and early puberty in girls-which is, in turn, a risk factor for breast cancer.

Phthalates: http://action.safecosmetics.org/ctt.asp?u=2751931&l=9062
Early Puberty: http://action.safecosmetics.org/ctt.asp?u=2751931&l=9063

Fragrance, as your nose knows, is a major ingredient in these Bath & Body Works holiday wares. But it's not the only ingredient we're checking twice: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a main ingredient in the Sugar & Spice 3-in-1 Body Wash, is often contaminated with a hidden carcinogen called 1,4-Dioxane: http://action.safecosmetics.org/ctt.asp?u=2751931&l=9073

The Glittery Gumdrop lotion contains at least two parabens, chemicals that act like estrogen in the body and have been found in breast cancer tumors.
Parabens: http://action.safecosmetics.org/ctt.asp?u=2751931&l=9065
Parabens in breast cancer tumors: http://action.safecosmetics.org/ctt.asp?u=2751931&l=9075

If young girls are on your holiday shopping list, steer clear of Bath & Body Works' American Girl line, marketed to tweens. The American Girl Truly Me Glistening Shower and Bath Wash warns on its back label: "Excessive use or prolonged exposure may cause irritation to skin and urinary tract." No surprise, then, that this bath wash and American Girl Shimmer roll-on fragrance contain skin irritants, organ sensitizers and suspected carcinogens. Exposure to these chemicals at critical windows of development, like pre-puberty, can be especially harmful.

The 1,500+ Bath & Body Works stores nationwide will be bustling this season with holiday shoppers buying fragrant lotion or soaps. Please tell Bath & Body Works that you don't want to give or receive toxic body products this holiday season.