Is your makeup harmful? Testing big brands for 'forever chemicals' (Marketplace)

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals,' can be found in everyday products to make them water-, grease- and stain-resistant. Experts say when applied directly to the face, the risk of exposure to these chemicals is increased. Health risks linked to PFAS include cancer and lower fertility. CBC's Marketplace tested popular makeup brands like MAC and Marcelle, revealing which products contain forever chemicals, and offers tips on how you can avoid them.
Read more: www.cbc.ca/1.7016203
#Makeup #Health #Toxic
CHEMICAL SHOCK: TESTING THE MAKE UP OF YOUR MAKEUP
producer/director
ANU SINGH
associate producer
MICHELLE McCANN
reporter
DAVID COMMON
editor
SIMON PARUBCHAK
camera
NORM ARNOLD
DAVID MACINTOSH
JOHN LESAVAGE
additional footage
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
art director
DAVID ABRAHAMS
media management
ASTORIA LUZZI
social media producer
AMARA MCLAUGHLIN
colour correction
KYLE J. SMITH
sound mix
DANY TREMBLAY
project manager
VICTOR KERR
resource coordinators
MARC CORMIER
SAM NAR
news rollout producer
JENNY COWLEY
packaging editor
BENNY KOSHY
packaging producer
LINDA SIBONY
promo producer
GREG SADLER
senior producer
TIFFANY FOXCROFT
executive producer
NELISHA VELLANI
FIRST BROADCAST November 3, 2023
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For more than 80 years, CBC News has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians.

[@Whynotcreate]

Marketplace is so underrated... this show is amazing

[@T_Dot94]

the only honest part of CBC

[@findthegood8187]

But do they do their due diligence to bring issues into the public forum, it's sad its done this way, it should be headline news if due diligence was done properly, HEALTH CANADA could be more proactive, advocate for SAFE products, information is being withheld constantly, and the WHOLE STORY, never seems to be told. Accountability is required.

[@KnightRaymund]

@@T_Dot94 wrong

[@Ngan.marianguyen]

Most useful show out there tbh

[@rnalonto]

@@T_Dot94 **Fifth Estate enters the room**

[@GoddessLaurel]

Thank you for bringing attention to this. Can you please do a piece on scents in air freshners and scented items? This is a widespread standard practice in public places and the chemicals in them are imposed to the public.

[@narniabusiness7810]

Yes, please! I couldn't agree more.

[@hell0h0bbit]

Candles too. Is beewax or coconut candle any better?

[@lilimai4066]

Detergent scents and fragrances are also terrible for our health

[@ethimself5064]

I'm fully suscribed and no notification? What's up CBC?

[@evannaross8096]

@@hell0h0bbityes, but only if they use natural sources of fragrance I.e essential oils. Anything with “fragrance” listed is likely to be toxic to your health .

[@mina-ala]

Heartbreaking, terrifying, and so important to expose. Poor earth and all the innocent life on it. So scary.

[@lunaf11]

These industries only care about the money not our health 😞

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

True! It's evil. Frightening!

[@Sumit.R]

They never cared. Whether it touches your skin or goes inside your body, always stick to natural and chemical free products as much as possible. And stay away from big mainstream brands.

[@t.h.1784]

This is why I don’t wear makeup. I don’t care that I don’t look good enough or people think it’s not socially acceptable. Spending money on proper food and shelter.

[@gorelash9056]

Well, makeup is only one possible source of exposure among very many more.

[@henxinggan]

Can you please make a list of products that are actually not toxic? You guys have done so much testing it would be wonderful to know in a single list.

[@annani5200]

If I remember correctly just avoid waterproof or resistant makeup as much as possible (especially mascara and liquid lipstick)

[@TheINFJChannel]

Google is your friend 😊

[@saputridewi3665]

not that easy I guess,because if that toxic product came from huge brand you would be sued for defamation

[@nordiquesrback904]

Try the skin deep database online. Don't use products or ingredients of 3 or more on the scale

[@tazhienunurbusinezz1703]

Unfortunately that isn't going to work. Corporations are not moral entities. Their one goal is to make money, so much so that the US has made it law that they must maximize profits. The problem with a list like that is that it creates a false sense of trust. These companies change suppliers & formulas all the time so while a product might "pass" to get on the list, how often are you going to continue to test them after that? Are you going to test from different batches & different regions? If they know what your plan is, they really only have to make sure that what is going to be tested passes. If I know you're testing at the end of the year, I can buy from the cheap supplier 3 quarters & only buy from the expensive supplier who makes sure their ingredients aren't contaminated the last quarter. If they test in the beginning of the year, as soon as the test is over I can switch to the cheap supplier who isn't as careful. These companies need to be regulated. That way the government can test & if they find something, they can then fine them into oblivion & make it way more expensive to use the cheap supplier. If there is no reasonable avenue for cost savings as those savings & more will be eaten up by fines, it isn't an attractive choice to try do it. Unfortunately self-regulation isn't a thing that EVER works so it needs to come from outside each industry.

[@thecynic9232]

Time to do a story about Monsanto. They have been poisoning us for decades with Roundup weed killer.

[@rnalonto]

Enquete already made an episode about it...

[@sloopy5191]

First and foremost, Thank You for bringing this to our attention...it is beyond horrendous! If possible, I would like to see Marketplace dig into why most major cosmetics companies sell 2 different lines of the same product...one for the European consumer, one for the North American consumer. There are MANY chemicals in the NA consumers products that are NOT found in the European, because apparently they're often a banned substance there, but not here. Which chemicals? What do they do? Why are they in our products, but not theirs? Why? It seems that some companies are willing to chemically harm us here in NA...how else could we see this? Marketplace?

[@giovanna722]

Excellent question!

[@lilimai4066]

Our problem is that we think that our government is protecting us from any harmful products and materials, well no we have to take action and boycott these harmful products and not buy them until they are free from harmful materials. Thank you MarketPlace to let people know about this because obviously the health organizations are not doing their job

[@mg79277]

Those poor cows. Breaks my heart for them and the farmer. Gouvernements should be accountable absolutely

[@TheOliveboy93]

Companies should be held accountable because they are mainly the ones profiting from using the chemicals in products

[@TheTechnoPilot]

Clearly regulations in the makeup industry need to be far stricter that prohibits all contamination and requirement for extensive testing of each batch before shipment with proper hazardous disposal (zero risk of leaching into all water tables) of any batches that show contamination. Only complete restriction will force them to implement the required levels of testing and procedures.

[@gorelash9056]

It's absolutely ridiculous that there is no way to tell whether these chemicals are in a given product or not. Not to mention, they're testing for the most common 32 of these PFAS chemicals when there are apparently 12,000 of them. Just like what happened with BPA, when it was discovered that it's harmful to health, companies will stop using one particular chemical, heavily advertise "BPA free" for instance and switch to a near identical chemical that works the same way and is probably just as harmful but simply hasn't yet been rigorously tested, until 20 years down the line they have to switch to a new alternative and so on and so on. I can only hope that the fact that I seldom use makeup or hairspray, and no non-stick pans, will effectively reduce my family's exposure. Who knows about the food we eat? There's no way to find out which farm this one package of sausages came from or where that spinach was grown and whether or not that land has been tested. We all rely on luck!

[@fppgaming3288]

we need to be testing this kind of thing before people smear products all over themselves, don't you think?

[@theflowpowa42oshow]

im like a peanut butter jelly sandwich

[@OhGeeWillickersMister]

Until laws provide adequate regulations and funds agencies to do testing and ensure compliance, it may as well be the wild wild west (in the US and Canada, and probably many other countries)

[@theflowpowa42oshow]

YEEHAAAW COWBOY@@OhGeeWillickersMister

[@JasneetSingh]

I can't thank you enough for bringing issues like this to forefront.

[@susanb4816]

Government needs to get back to consumer protection by being proactive rather than reactive

[@tia.the.mockingbird]

These poor farmers.

[@giovanna722]

That was heartwrenching.

[@maranorth]

Thank you Marketplace. You are a CBC Gem! I have used Burt Bees for years bc I became allergic to other brands. My eyelashes started to burn and so I knew something was wrong and stopped wearing makeup altogether; when I started looking at the ingredients, I did not even know WTH they were. So, I switched to Burt Bees and had no issues after that. Interesting that the Cosemetic Alliance of Canada has a CEO who clearly does not wear makeup and is not affected at all by these ‘forever chemicals”. Hmmmm…

[@nopeninja8883]

Yeah this is not surprising or shocking. The companies dont care about people, just profits.

[@nordiquesrback904]

finally they are starting to talk about this. I made the conscious decision to get rid of any non tested, non clean products, especially skin care products for years now. Thank you for shedding light on not only the endocrine disruptures but environmental disruptors. We need to change things now and change legislation and hold companies responsible for using carcinogens, PFAS, heavy metals etc...

[@giovanna722]

Where did you find your information?

[@jenkins5265]

Any chance you'll share your resources? Would love to know what products you've found are good. This stuff is terrifying...

[@nordiquesrback904]

@@jenkins5265 sure, I use something called the skin deep database and only try using products that are EWG certified. I consult for Beautycounter and love the skin products and makeup.

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

Scary stuff this PFAS! Thanks for sharing!

[@1luckyarmywife461]

I feel bad for the parents of the 5 year old. As a mom of four, I sympathize with them.

[@irenetorkel2186]

Two things I find ridiculous. 1. A man is the CEO of an organization geared largely towards women. 2. They know about it but have excuses ready. We know anything geared towards women are not appropriately regulated yet the cost is higher than anything geared towards men. That farmer broke my heart.

[@brinaborn]

thank you, I wasn't even aware of this PFAS until now! yikes

[@joannfowler2149]

I guess they took down my comment, maybe because I mentioned my company's name but this Canadian women led makeup company from Vancouver has been working at testing and mitigating organic fluorine for over 2 years - working wth BCIT to develop accessible fluorine testing as well as testing personal care items... it is not just makeup - it's shaving lotion, shampoo, soaps , creams etc. and in the packaging as well - plastic can leach into formulas . I have a lot of info if anyone is interested.

[@brazilianbella7]

I’m interested to know what brands to avoid

[@joannfowler2149]

mamavation has a website -she is a whistle blower @@brazilianbella7

[@DRT813]

I'm interested, how can I access this information?

[@ranmount]

this is one of the best kind of videos on youtube. ❤

[@EsoteriaHealing]

so the waterproof mascara has PFAS because that's what makes it waterproof. And that executive was just lying that these chemicals leech into the products from manufacturing process. What non sense!

[@VondaInWonderland]

Please test more products and more companies ❤

[@lilimai4066]

Thank you for bringing this important issue to our attention

[@tiffanynsparks]

I literally want to cry for the farmers. Just seeing there faces as they are explaining this hurts my heart. Man it isn't fair

[@AcrylArtca]

David really knows how to paddle that canoe like a real Canadian! So nice to see!

[@lana7073]

Thank you for brining awareness to this. I hope we can change it around. A lot assumed forever chemicals are in firefighting foam.

[@CapMIam]

Why did you exclude so called 'green' cosmetics like Pacifica or brands found in Sephora?

[@LadyOfRain1]

I think they were probably going for the biggest of the mainstream ones since they are generally the most widespread for availability and are also the biggest in terms of sales.

[@gorelash9056]

I would be very interested to see what they find in products aggressively marketed as "clean".

[@Michael-pg7rv]

We need way more regulations on consumer products in this country. I feel terrible for those farmers.

[@tashastarling6573]

I want to know what levels of these chemicals are in the drinking water. I want the government of Canada to release environmental studies on this. I want the numbers published. I live on PEI, we have 1 groundwater source and I worry about things like pesticides and factory residue such as from Paderno potware.

[@brittanyanderson7308]

There is a new exciting surge in "clean" make-up companies that make products that aren't ladden with the chemicals discussed in this clip. I have not bought Cover Girl Rimmel or Mabelline garbage in many many years! Beauty comes from within right! Women should look into the ingredients of mainstream make-up & toiletry brands because many like myself have already known about this for a long time!

[@DRT813]

Unfortunately a lot of these "clean" series from established companies or new ones are greenwashing. It can be hard to realise which ones are genuine and which ones aren't, which is why I think there needs clarity about third-party certifications and such (e.g. eco-cert and others).

[@brittanyanderson7308]

If Gov makes these type of cert's mandatory in the future many of the small grassroots companies that make the truly green products will be squeezed out of business due to the high costs of the third party testing. This is exactly what they have already done within the Natural health products industry. Any Gov regulation will likely be bad for our clean makeup companies in my opinion. This 'sudden discovery' of the harms caused by forever chemicals is not being shared with The Public due to concern for the consumers protection as they would like to have you naively believe; Gov didn't just realize yesterday that forever chemicals are extremely harmful and detrimental to the health and well-being of people and the planet ! It's been known for awhile. Notice the timing! It's right in sync with the latest climate alarmists. Same like countless examples of pharmaceutical drugs that harmed people and werent taken off the market until after big profits were raked in. All we can do as consumers is educate ourselves on the ingredients & the companies we are supporting. I wouldn't trust a 'green' claim unless there is a very clear description of what that claim actually means. Saw Sephora's commercial on the tv recently at the gym about their 'green choice' products and couldn't help to notice that there was not one single descriptor given on how those certain products qualified for that special identifier. Usually, rule of thumb, 'locally' made products are going to be 'cleaner' than any big name brand makeup you buy in the drugstore! Also, the vast majority of what you see advertised on the tv is generally completely and utterly toxic and harmful to people & the planet..spoiler alert. @@DRT813

[@Luna-luna909]

If so, then all setting powders and setting spays have PFAS since they promote durability of makeup!

[@VUrban-yr5ch]

We have to question everything. Thank you so much. No other channel like this. 🙏🤗👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@tracevicente]

Thank you Marketplace

[@samw7073]

Bravo on exposing this

[@consmercado3843]

So stain and water repellant in shoe sprays are toxic?

[@michellehnatiw5439]

Thank you market place.. THANK YOU!!!

[@findthegood8187]

Killing us softly, but killing us. We can do better, we need to do better, humanity depends on it. Money isn't worth the price of mankind.

[@erin1532]

As a person who loves makeup, this is freaky

[@cd6422]

We have those chemicals in our drinking water from firefighting foam in Dayton, Ohio. We consume it everyday.

[@ladybugHuggs]

These companies should be paying for the repercussions of their product knowing of their demise to humans/environment..its their responsibility their product is safe..anyway knowing they pass the buck over is certainly discerning..!!🤔

[@henrygiesbrecht1963]

Well what is been fed to mega market pig barns??? i know, i use to work in a Feedmill, pigs eat there own dead carcasses. and this meat is sold in our gorcery stores

[@AtomicB-zq2cw]

It really is pathetic that some people get trapped into having to paint their face every morning of their life, many of whom spend up to and over an hour every morning looking at themselves in the mirror. It is a form of self adoration and attention seeking that bleeds into all other aspects of their lives. The good thing is that the makeup is your first sign that you are dealing with these other issues that will eventually find their place in any relationship built.

[@southwestAZ]

I don't think I need to make up honestly because I'm going to show natural beauty all real

[@Metryingatlife]

This is going to be a Netflix series soon

[@TheRajuSharma]

Thank you

[@om-nj2hw]

Not just makeup, it in our drinking/ t a p water, and so many products.

[@theflowpowa42oshow]

Down with the status QUO !!!

[@jez5855]

This is God's work youre doing CBC Marketplace team. Thanks for all your effort, keep up the great work

[@sarahsnowe]

We should be asking ourselves why women are expected to apply toxic goop--or even relatively harmless goop--to their faces when men are not. Also, we need to think about the trillions of plastic cosmetics containers that aren't recycled. "Beauty."

[@ethimself5064]

I'm fully suscribed and no notification? What's up CBC?

[@christinamaloney3981]

eyeopening..wow....and that poor farmer and his poor cows, thats soheartbreaking 100 some odd cowsthat he loved

[@MistressOnyaCox]

WTF i thought they already dealt with this issue over a DECADE ago😢

[@user-sy3pp4up9q]

Thanks market place .we need people like you to help the little guys know the truth

[@familyb5800]

Quick dr tam....tell us....perhaps a ban on cosmetic 💄.....

[@joannfowler2149]

Also I think the issue is not fluorine but Organic Fluorine ( man made)

[@OhGeeWillickersMister]

Where is a list with products and brands? The research I have seen anonymizes this data and does a serious disservice to the consumer. How can we make smart choices when we don't have the data??

[@jeanettecarnell8933]

F&**** scary! Luckly I seldom wear it but... I remember another but,about Formaldehyde un straightening shampoo!

[@Drummerdude5342]

If you use a non stick frying pan you got pfas in your system and I mean if you have used one once its still there, same thing with microplastics

[@eddiewheeler449]

Alcohol. Do that next.

[@Ngan.marianguyen]

Idk why the governments so chill about these things!! Literally if i became prime minister, i'll Take care of these health stuff first before anything, even the economy 😓

[@firesidethewater]

EWG skin deep database to look up products before purchasing helps in figuring it all out !!!

[@mynexusca]

Asalamalaikum as a Canadian Muslim GOD BLESS YOU Mr.David Common and your family InshaaAllah for informing us about pfas and what is going on here in Canada and making this informative video. God bless the lady professor Miriam Diamond at university of toronto for fighting against pfas God bless her for helping us Canadians and the world as well and God bless anyone else fighting to get rid of this toxic stuff pfas. May God also bless and protect the Canadian farmers who are suffering because of this pfas exposure to their bodies their farms and their livestock.

[@pteddy1]

Is the audio working?

[@neilj5364]

all ladies should watch

[@Pj287.]

I finally found ultra mascara I like that’s not waterproof. Hope it’s still safe

[@moonbook12]

At 1:22 as someone who is algicide to something it's so hard to find it

[@fauna3989]

Never wear waterproof anything.

[@smoothbraindetainer]

You can't fool me, I know you work for big water

[@gorelash9056]

​@@smoothbraindetainer😂

[@BeccaHetrick]

Did I hear that correctly? Canada uses HUMAN waste as fertilizer?!?!

[@mgtowworldwideself-improve3469]

Yes biosolids very secret and toxic

[@loisfolk5492]

It’s not better living through chemistry it’s dying through chemistry. The evil man does.

[@ccheg3949]

Well, if its everywhere, it will be found in ANYTHING, no matter what you test!!! Its in the air, water, soil, too, so no matter what you test, it will be found in everything and EVERY makeup! No point in testing, because its in EVERYTHING!!!

[@dianestringham5596]

I’m so glad I’m allergic to makeup.😅

[@Ngan.marianguyen]

Thats why ive only been using organic. I do not trust these companies at all😪

[@janinesnyder8250]

@19:53 I agree

[@Halladolla]

Imagine sephora brands

[@T_Dot94]

CAPITALISM BABE

[@mizobvious3753]

Test the shot next. lol

[@darlinspaces]

They say its recombinants of HIV

[@Laura-ys7bx]

Why do we need all this annoying music during this important programme. I couldn't watch this. Sadly

[@jadedelarge8929]

I HATE background music on programs like this. It's so annoying. I also HATE comedies with laughing tracks every 2 seconds. But I do suffer from misophobia.

[@theflowpowa42oshow]

funny it's called pfast but you won't be doing that with these forever chemicals any time soon.

[@salami5050]

Quo eyeshadow got roasted

[@karenacton3854]

Isn’t this a little late to be doing, these forever chemicals have been around forever….now something is being done?

[@susanb4816]

Better late than never

[@richardr9294]

So now with this knowledge nothing should be done???

[@SnowWhite-hr4ho]

I worry more about the covid vaccines

[@daisytoromanzano8865]

The way the world is going. Common sense can be apply to some subjects but not to others.

[@CanadianDrifter777]

Was your covid vaccine safe? What about that, huh?

[@49lucky]

Well this isn't new, if you READ your labels and make your own makeup or buy from cottage industry type makeup you will be safe. REMEMBER READ.

[@kehidupankanada]

😊

[@yifanxu0428]

What

[@CL-pe4ll]

EVERY CBC video shows 3K likes. Then when you click on the "more" tab in the description it shows a completely different number. I've looked at at least 15 videos showing 3k likes and then see the real amount is under 100 likes. What's going on? Why do ALL CBC videos all show 3K likes when it's not true?

[@AnxiousGary]

They don't for me. It's probably just old cookies on your device or something. Also sometimes it takes a while for youtube to show accurate numbers on views and likes.

[@CL-pe4ll]

@AnxiousGary they have 100 views and 3,000 likes Lol CBC is trash

[@kforest2745]

Rain stain and grease resistant I never use hurrah hurrah ahead of the ball again fk I’m good

[@BeccaHetrick]

I hate that Fred blames himself for the cows milk getting contaminated....

[@user-sp1lf2qm9u]

🇵🇸✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️

[@katiedid1851]

Burts Bees? Disgusting - all lies

[@yogosapphire]

Mascara, eye shadow, eye liner, and occasionally lipstick 🤷🏼‍♀️ Who needs more than that?

[@lisbetsoda4874]

I do need more than that. I like to even out my skin from rosacea and dark circles under the eyes. What is it to you?

[@richardr9294]

It's not just in make up. PFAS are everywhere .PFAS are in drinking water wells in Wisconsin.

[@ItsOKtobeNormal]

​@@richardr9294I think at this point everyone knows this, but why would you want even more poison in your body? Makeup is not a need like food and water are, also their are a lot of other things in makeup besides PFAS

[@CL-pe4ll]

236 likes Not the 3K as shown

[@enialoyanabac8890]

Test dog food

[@summervibes9931]

when are you going go investigate the covid mandates?

[@charmainehanslit]

Terrible. Criminal!