It seems that Claire’s, a national children’s retailer is once again in trouble with the FDA for selling makeup that contains cancer-causing asbestos. The first recall happened in 2017 when nine products sold at Claire’s were recalled because they contained “traces of tremolite asbestos.” Tremolite asbestos is “toxic, and inhaling the fibers can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer and both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.”
Manufacturers use this product in attic insulation, potting soil, talcum powder and talc-containing cosmetics and paints. It is not regulated by the FDA and is still being used today in many cosmetics and other personal care products. The problem with using talc is that it needs to be purified before it is used in beauty products. “If steps are not taken to purify raw talc sufficiently the talc put in consumer products may be contaminated with asbestos.”
Fast forward to 2019 and Claire’s is in hot water again over asbestos tainted makeup. There have been two additional recalls of makeup sold by Claire’s, one in March of 2019, and the second most recent recall issued June 6, 2019 by the FDA involving a JoJo Siwa Makeup Kit sold exclusively at Claire’s. Siwa, a popular You Tube personality partnered with the retailer to market this makeup kit to her young fans.
Claire’s denies recent FDA claims regarding the asbestos tainted makeup and stated that the “FDA test reports have mischaracterized fibers in the products as asbestos, in direct contradiction to established EPA and USP criterion for classifying asbestos fibers.”
Claire’s is saying the recalled makeup is safe. The FDA disagrees. Who do you believe? Ironically there are “no laws requiring companies to test their cosmetic products for safety,” it seems that when it comes to the health and beauty products consumers buy they are playing russian roulette with their health. Do you trust the manufacturers to make sure the products you buy are safe? Companies do not have to share the results of their product testing with the FDA and the FDA doesn’t even regulate the industry. Items can be labeled natural and still contain dangerous ingredients such as talc, lead and more.
It is unfortunate that Claire’s did not learn from the 2017 recall and only two years later is still stocking asbestos contaminated products intended to be used by children in their stores.
What can you do to protect yourself?
- Boycott companies that sell unsafe products.
- Read the ingredients before you buy. Avoid buying products that contain talc, triclosan, parabans, and other harmful chemicals.
- Use less makeup and skin care products and go natural. It’s safer.
- Buy health & beauty products Made in the USA and if you can with ingredients sourced in the USA too.
