Methodology
Ingredient analysis: Chemicals linked to cancer found in hair products marketed to women of color at Sally Beauty
Methodology
As part of this independent analysis, Toxic-Free Future worked with WE ACT for Environmental Justice to identify consumer products on the Sally Beauty website marketed to people of color. The scope of products was ultimately narrowed to focus on products for textured hair, namely curly (Type 3) and coily (Type 4) hair. This narrowed focus was chosen because Sally Beauty provides clear definitions and categorization for these products,6 as well as the fact that formaldehyde releasers are known to be used in hair straighteners.
Per federal law, intentionally added ingredients, with the exception of fragrance components, are listed on product labels of consumer beauty and personal care products. Sally Beauty also includes label ingredients on its website. Ingredients for 577 products were gathered from the retailer’s website. Product ingredient lists were then compared to two chemical groups: 1) 25 formaldehyde releasers known for use in beauty and personal care products as identified by the Washington Department of Ecology7 and 2) siloxanes, specifically, D4, D5, and D6. Hazard information was derived from the Chemical Hazard Data Trust managed by ChemFORWARD.
This independent analysis relied on publicly disclosed ingredient information and screening against defined chemical lists and does not account for undisclosed fragrance components or manufacturing contaminants.
Read the analysis
- I.Introduction
- II.Background: Health at risk for women of color
- III.Methodology
- IV.What we found: Formaldehyde releasers
- V.What we found: Siloxanes
- VI.Recommendations
- VII.References