This post is a collab with my fellow scientists @theecowell @skinsperpective @sciencemeetscosmetics @labmuffinbeautyscience @themelaninchemist ⁣ We would like to clear up some misinformation and fear mongering around these important ingredients found in your cosmetics. Will you join us by re-posting our posts to help stop the spread of misinformation? ⁣ ⁣ 🔵 There is this idea that if a brand does not plaster words like “safe” and “clean” on their products then there’s likely some type of “unsafe” or “toxic” ingredients in their products. First, let’s recall that there is no definition for “clean” whatsoever. The FDA has not defined this. No one knows what it means and brands have their own meaning for clean. And frankly, it’s just a way to fear monger consumers into thinking that their products have to be “clean” for it to be safe to use. Additionally, organizations like EWG make things worse by cherry-picking data to support their beliefs without understanding the body of evidence. ⁣ ⁣ As a Scientist, I would like to state the following: ⁣ ⁣ 🟣 Preservatives (e.g. parabens) in cosmetics are safe and necessary to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold, in order to protect both the product and the consumer. ⁣⁣ ⁣ 🟣 Sulfates are cleaning agents that are safe in the levels used in personal care products such as shampoos. There is NO scientific evidence to support that SLS causes cancer. While sulfates could be irritating for some, this is NOT an indication that it is harmful or unsafe for human health. ⁣ ⁣ 🟣 Silicones do not suffocate ur pores and actually have shown to be non-irritants and safe in numerous studies. The FDA lists Dimethicone as an approved skin protectant. ⁣ ⁣ 🟦 Finally, the clean beauty movement ignores the numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that back up these ingredients and instead are in favor of clever marketing giving the impression that these ingredients are harmful, unsafe, or toxic which is extremely damaging to the beauty industry.