Chems in your cosmetics

This episode of 'Today, Explained' investigates the hidden dangers of chemicals in everyday cosmetics and hair products, focusing on synthetic braiding hair, wigs, and personal care items. Host John Gwinn-Hill explores a groundbreaking study by Dr. Alicia Franklin of the Silent Spring Institute, which found over 90% of tested hair extensions contained harmful chemicals like phthalates, flame retardants, and PFAS—known to cause cancer, birth defects, and hormone disruption. The episode traces the origins of these synthetic chemicals to wartime U.S. industrial efforts, particularly the Manhattan Project, and reveals how these materials were repurposed for consumer goods without safety testing. Despite growing public concern, U.S. cosmetic regulation remains weak, with the FDA lacking authority to proactively test or restrict most ingredients. In contrast, 17 states have stepped in with stricter laws. Experts like investigative journalist Mariah Blake and Columbia University professor Ami Zoda emphasize that this is not just a women’s health issue but a systemic environmental injustice rooted in colonialism and racism, disproportionately affecting Black women and marginalized communities. The episode concludes with practical advice: using apps like Clearia and Skin Deep to decode labels, reducing product use, and leveraging consumer power to demand safer alternatives.