L'Oreal make-up, skin care, and clothing products are popular with millions of consumers around the world. However, behind such brand names as Kiehl's, Lancome, and Ralph Lauren there lie health hazards and labor violations. L'Oreal has chosen not to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, which calls for the removal of toxins and potential carcinogens from personal care products. The company's clothing subsidiary, Ralph Lauren (Polo), was involved in the notorious Saipan sweatshop case where 30,000 garment workers on US territory were abused over a the course of ten years. L'Oreal's ownership is split among several entities, including Nestle as a large stakeholder. Its corporate connections and its own operating record make L'Oreal a tough company to feel good about. Bottom line: support the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and ask L'Oreal for safe products. Let the Green Shift lead you healthier alternatives.
About L'Oreal
L'Oreal is the world's largest beauty products company including makeup, perfume, hair and skin care as well as conducting cosmetology and dermatology research. It also owns a number of brands such as Maybelline, Lancôme, and Redken and several European brands. L'Oreal reported revenues of $17.21 billion in 2005 with more than 52,403 employees worldwide. In March 2006, the Body Shop was taken over by L’Oreal.
Contact L'Oreal
L'Oreal
575 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10017 USA
Phone: 212-984-4000
Web:
www.loreal.com
Current Campaigns
Campaign for Safe
Cosmetics
Everyday products such as shampoo, deodorant
and make-up contain chemicals linked to
cancer, birth defects and other serious
health consequences. Cosmetics manufacturers
are allowed to use almost any chemical as an
ingredient without government approval;
however, some leading companies agree that
cosmetics should be made with safe,
non-toxic ingredients. Over 300 companies
have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics,
a pledge to make safe products and the
campaign is calling for all cosmetics
companies to do the same.
www.safecosmetics.org
Progress Noted
L'Oreal removes dibutyl phthalate (DBP) from nail varnish formulas. Read more ...
The
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics confirmed
that cosmetic corporations such as Avon,
Estee Lauder, Revlon, L’Oreal, and
Proctor and Gamble’s Cover Girl and Max
Factor lines, have removed dibutyl
phthalate (DBP) from nail varnish
formulas. DBP, a chemical used to
prevent nail polish from chipping, has
been linked to cancer, birth defects,
and reproductive toxicity. While the
chemical has been banned by the EU in
2004, the FDA has made no such move.
-- Health News Digest, 09/04/2006
Source URL:
healthnewsdigest.com/news/article_4376.shtml
Complaints, Abuses, and Scandals
Toxins
Friends of the
Earth issued a report detailing the risks of
nanomaterials found in cosmetics,
sunscreens, and personal care products. The
study demonstrates how a variety of
nanoparticles can be toxic to human tissue
and skin cultures. Numerous prominent
cosmetic companies, such as Proctor &
Gamble, L'Oreal, and Estee Lauder, continue
to sell products containing nano-scale
ingredients. Friends of the Earth is calling
for a moratorium on further commercial
release of such products, a withdrawal of
those currently on the market until further
studies have been completed, and regulations
put into place for the general public,
workers manufacturing such products, and
environment.
--
Friends of the Earth, 05/01/2006
Source URL:
www.foe.org/camps/comm/nanotech/nanocosmetics.pdf
For safe products without harmful ingredients or carcinogens