Clean Beauty Advocate Calls on FDA to Ban Formaldehyde in Hair Relaxers: A Critical Appeal

The Urgency Behind the Call for Action Daphne Nguyen, the founder and president of the Clean Beauty Action Network (CBAN), recently took a bold step in the fight for safer beauty products by issuing an open letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf. In her letter, Nguyen urges the FDA to take immediate action and ban the use of formaldehyde in hair relaxers—products that are commonly used for hair straightening and smoothing but have long been criticised for their health risks.

What’s the Issue?

Nguyen’s letter sheds light on the concerning delay in banning formaldehyde, a chemical classified as a known carcinogen, in hair smoothing treatments. Despite being listed under Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) #0910-AI83, the proposed rule to ban formaldehyde has seen little progress. It was originally slated for public comment in April 2024, but with no movement on this issue, Nguyen and her organisation are pressing for more urgent action.

CBAN, a youth-led organisation at the forefront of the clean beauty movement, is pushing the FDA to make this a top priority. Their focus is on protecting consumers from the serious health risks posed by harmful chemicals like formaldehyde while promoting the adoption of safer, greener alternatives in beauty products.

Why Does This Matter?

  CBAN’s advocacy underscores a broader and growing concern over the lack of regulation in the cosmetics industry. Many everyday beauty products contain toxic chemicals that pose risks to human health and the environment. Formaldehyde, used in certain hair relaxers, is just one of many harmful substances that slip through the regulatory cracks. The call to ban formaldehyde in hair relaxers is part of CBAN’s larger mission to promote clean beauty standards that prioritise consumer safety and sustainability. Nguyen’s letter isn’t just a push for immediate action—it’s part of a larger movement to ensure that beauty products are safe for both people and the planet. The message is clear: the beauty industry needs stronger regulation, and consumers deserve products that don’t compromise their health for beauty. The Clean Beauty Action Network hopes that by raising awareness and pressuring regulatory bodies like the FDA, meaningful changes can be made to protect the public from hasardous ingredients. As public awareness grows around the potential dangers lurking in beauty products, the call for clean, safe, and environmentally friendly alternatives is becoming impossible to ignore.

Source: www.globalcosmeticsnews.com/clean-beauty-action-network-urges-fda-to-ban-toxic-hair-relaxers/