Newspaper & Magazine Article

Engasser, P. (2007). Safety of cosmetic products. Journal of
Cosmetic Dermatology, 6 (1), 23-31. Retrieved from Health
 Source: Consumer Edition database.

Dr. Engasser, a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, aims to explain to readers the newest developments in product testing and manufacturers attempts for product safety. As technology increases and world wide efforts are being made, consumers and dermatologists are becoming more aware of the product processes. The article explains the multi-step process that products undergo for scientific safety testing. The article aims to inform consumers to increase safety understanding for both buyers and patients.

Dr. Engasser focuses on a wide range of cosmetics topics in the article including the best practices of the most common companies, environmental regulations, and contact dermatitis often related to cosmetics. The data in the article also focuses on statistics regarding the chemicals and preservatives used in cosmetics and their affects. As technology makes product testing more efficient and effective, the regulatory legislation will continue to increase and research will be ongoing for consumer safety, according to the article.

Dr. Engasser was presented the Rose Hirschler Award by the Women’s Dermatologic Society in 2005 for having made significant contributions to medicine and dermatology for enhancing the role of women in the dermatologic specialty. This article would be a good source of information regarding the start to finish evaluation of some cosmetics products and the scientific processes.

Fink III, J. L. (2007). State Failure-to-Warn Claims Preempted
by Approved Labeling? Pharmacy Times, 73(11), 72-72.

Dr. Joseph Fink is currently a professor of pharmacy law and policy at the University Of Kentucky College Of Pharmacy in Lexington. This legally important article exposes the fact that although the FDA may approve the label of a product, it does not necessarily mean the product is safe for the user. Simply, the FDA has approved the wording of the label or package insert of the ingredients. The article discusses two court cases regarding the safety of consumers and the court’s decisions to side with the manufacturers’ following of the policy created by the FDA about standards for product labeling and the limits that were required.

According to Fink, because the FDA defines these mandates, there can be lawsuits in state courts using failure-to-warn product liability legal theory to argue to that manufacturer failed to tell consumers of the danger. The article explains that, “Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA is the expert federal public health agency charged by Congress with ensuring that drugs are safe and effective, and that their labeling adequately informs users of the risks and benefits of the product and is truthful and not misleading." This article serves as a critical source to prove that there is a lack of legislation and mandated regulations by the government to warn consumers of any or all risks in products.

Hartman, E. (2007, November 11). A Close-Up on Cosmetics:
Experts Divided on the Safety Parabens. The Washington Post, 
pp. N2. Retrieved from America’s Newspapers database.

Eviana Hartman is columnist for the Washington Post, an editor at Nylon magazine and was formerly a fashion writer for Vogue. The article not only mentions the harmful effects of personal care products to humans but, ironically, also marine life through bathing in water, sewage treatment and excretion from humans’ skin. Parabens, which are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics, have been linked to breast cancer as well as reproductive issues in both men and women as cited in several studies in the article. However, the article quotes the Food and Drug Administration’s official statement on parabens reads: "FDA believes that at the present time there is no reason for consumers to be concerned about the use of cosmetics containing parabens."