Pinkwashing Alert: P&G Beauty

A few days ago I discovered this on Facebook:

Procter & Gamble has partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to to highlight the importance of early detection in beating breast cancer.

Did you notice the brands listed at the bottome of the screen? Procter & Gamble products are loaded with nasty chemicals, many of which can cause cancer.

Here are JUST SOME of the dangerous ingredients in their products:

Propylparaben - Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology

Ethylparaben - endocrine disruptor, causes allergies & immunotoxicity

Methylparaben - Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes

Cyclotetrasiloxane - Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology

Tocopheryl Acetate - Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Ecotoxicology, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)

Hydroquinone - (Contaminant) Skin Deep Hazard rating of 10! Known human immune system toxicant, human skin toxicant (strong evidence), Limited evidence of immune system toxicity, strong evidence of human neurotoxicity, classified as a high human health priority in Canada, Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful in Canada, possible carcinogen, human nervous system toxicant, classified as a wildlife and environmental toxin in Europe.

Octinoxate - Endocrine disruptor, wildlife & environmental toxin, produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease, photoallergenic, decreased the hormonal release significantly in male and female rats, potentially affecting the reproductive system and sexual maturation

Laureth 7 - Can be contaminated with ethylene oxide & 1,4 dioxane, both carcinogens

PEG/ PPG-18/ 18 Dimethicone - Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), can be contaminated with ethylene oxide & 1,4 dioxane, both carcinogens

Disodium EDTA - While not highly toxic itself, it is a penetration enhanser so it pulls the other toxic ingredients further into the body than they otherwise would on their own, therefore increasing their effect upon the body.

Titanium Dioxide - Can cause DNA damage when exposed to the sun, possible occupational carcinogen. Listed as a suspected carcinogen by California EPA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

Cyclopentasiloxane - Cancer, Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology

Petroleum Distillates - Skin Deep rating of 8! Cancer, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Contamination concerns (BUTADIENE), Use restrictions

Butadiene - (Contaminant) Skin Deep hazard rating of 10! Known human carcinogen, banned/found to be unsafe in cosmetics in Europe, developmental toxicant, reproductive toxicant, known human respirator toxicant, known to cause mammary glad tumors in animals, hazardous air pollutant, may cause abnormal sperm, limited evidence of causing breast cancer.

Talc -  Can be contaminated with asbestiform fibers

Asbestiform Fibers (Asbestos) - (Contaminant) Skin Deep hazard rating of 10! Known human carcinogen, persistent and bioaccumulative, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards, moderate concerns of biochemical or cellular level changes, banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics in Europe, known respirator toxicant, persistent bioaccumulative in wildlife & humans, immune system carcinogen, toxic under the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory

Triethanolamine - Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES-in the presence of nitrosating agents), Use restrictions

Nitrosamines - Skin Deep hazard rating of 7! Possible carcinogen, Endocrine disruptor, organ system toxicity (non-reporductive), Banned or found to be unsafe for use in cosmetics in Canada and Europe

If I looked at every product in every brand Procter & Gamble creates I'd no doubt find even more dangerous ingredients.  Do any of these ingredients sound like ones that would be used by a company that REALLY cared about breast cancer?  Does this sound like the type of company that a foundation whose mission is: "to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need" should be partnering with?

This pinkwashing is egregious, shameful and intentional.  It angers me that companies and organizations claiming to be fighting breast cancer do this...and that consumers fall for it.  It's a big lie.  If they REALLY cared about breast cancer they'd take these ingredients out of their products.  And these organizations wouldn't take partner with or take money from companies that use known carcinogens.  But they don't.  It's a feel good marketing ploy that's going to earn both of them a bundle.

Women's Voices for the Earth is asking you to Tell Procter & Gamble to really stand up in the fight against breast cancer by removing phthalates and synthetic musks from their products.  I would also add they should remove all know, probable and suspected carcinogens.  Send a letter to Procter and Gamble using the form from Women's Voices from the Earth to send message to Procter & Gamble.  Then, copy it, and send it to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, too.  You can send a letter to them at:

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
2600 Network Blvd., Suite 300
Frisco, Texas 75034

Or, you can use the contact form to send them an email through their website.

It's really important that we tell these companies and organizations what we think of their pinkwashing and that we refuse to use their products until they stop pinkwashing and remove all hormone disruptors and carcinogens from their products.  We won't be manipulated by their pinkwashing!

For more information on companies that pinkwash, join the Pinkwashing Hall of Shame on Facebook.