STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I'm not an expert, but I did work for 9 months in the regulatory department of a personal care products company. I was in training for a lot of that time and ultimately decided it wasn't the path for me, professionally, although it was interesting. Having said that, I think this report is alarmist. I don't believe companies are getting away with selling things the FDA hasn't approved. I know that all colorants in personal care products, from makeup to shampoo, are tested by the FDA. What the FDA does not test, but what the industry still compiles information on and keeps in mind when developing products, are extractions from natural ingredients, like rosemary extract or peach kernel oil, things along those lines. And I know cosmetics companies do a lot of testing of these products while they're in development. Sometimes you do get people who just want to push a product onto the market when it has problems -- this happened with a shampoo I worked on -- so it's not like everyone running these places is an angel either.

Like I said, I'm not an expert -- so if you are really concerned, call the companies themselves to ask. They get these kinds of phone calls frequently and should be ready to give you information.