Egeberg, M. G. (2020). Beauty is Pain: An Analytical View of the American Beauty Industry and the Effects of Regulation on Consumers. Redirecting… Retrieved March 5, 2022, from https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/qhlj23&div=17&g_sent=1&casa_token=&collection=journals

Background: The HeinOnline’s Journal discussed the history of cosmetics from 1989 to modern-day cosmetics. The article goes into more detail about cosmetic products that had harmful ingredients that cause horrible side effects to the users. The article also explains how the FDA is ignoring the cosmetics industry’s use of harmful ingredients and failing claims which is putting customers in danger.  

How I used it: This article helped me explain to my readers how the cosmetic industry has not evolved when it comes to regulating and creating laws to help protect users. I used the definition of a drug to also use examples of these harmful side effects people experienced from cosmetics to help readers understand why harmful ingredients should be considered drugs. 

DiNardo, J. C., & Downs, C. A. (2017, October 31). Dermatological and environmental … – Wiley online library. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved March 5, 2022, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.12449 

Background: In this article, the Wiley Online Library discusses how Oxybenzone which is a harmful ingredient used in sunscreens can cause negative effects not only on the environment but also to people who buy and apply these products onto their skin. The article goes on to explain how this ingredient is causing people to have diseases and lifelong health problems due to the daily use of products that contain this ingredient.                                                                       

How I used it: I explained how oxybenzone can be found in urine which is a great example for my readers to get a good idea of how these harmful ingredients not only affect the skin but the inside of our bodies. 

Trows, S., Wuchner, K., Spycher, R., & Steckel, H. (2014, April 11). Analytical challenges and regulatory requirements for nasal drug products in Europe and the U.S. MDPI. Retrieved March 5, 2022, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.12449 ;

Background: This article went into detail on how Europe has stricter regulations when it comes to cosmetics and nasal sprays that are absorbed through the skin. The article explains each step Europe takes to put the nasal spray on the market.

How I used it: Nasal spray which is defined as a drug that is absorbed through the skin just like cosmetics. This was a great example of how cosmetics and drugs have so many similarities but are still not considered part of the same category. It is important for my readers to understand how drugs on the market get more regulations by the FDA even though they are linked with the same idea that cosmetics have benign absorbed through the skin and have side effects. 

Kligman, A. M. (2005, August 15). Cosmetics: A dermatologist looks to the future: Promises and Problems. Dermatologic Clinics. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733863505702217, 

Background: This article was about skin lightening creams and their horrific side effects that are caused to users based on the use of Mercury. A harmful ingredient such as Mercury is not regulated by the FDA  and these products are still being placed on the market. The article also gives examples of ways such as signing a bill that would be beneficial to stop these harmful ingredients from being on shelves.                                                                                             

How I used it: I used this article to tell my readers about the dangers of using skin lighteners that are harmful to our overall health both inside and out. The side effects from these products are what scare readers and make them understand how big of a problem it is for the cosmetics industry to not regulate such strong ingredients. 

Y., Krueger, L. D., &Nguyen, H. P. (2020, December 6). Regulation of skin lightening agents in the United States and implications for public health. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Retrieved March 5, 2022, from https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)33151-0/fulltext#relatedArticles 

Background: This website discussed how there is no premarketing proof of safety and regulation for any cosmetics. Especially, in this case, anti-aging cosmetics have no proof to be effective and to be safe to use near the mouth and eyes. The article explains how women are kept to a standard of always looking youthful which makes them go to any extreme to achieve a healthy and youthful look.                                                                                                         

How I used it: I felt like my readers were going to be majority females of all ages so I wanted to make sure to include women who are experiencing aging. I explain how the products that are on sleeves at retail stores and drug stores are not checked for safety. The manufacturers of these products are also able to make any statements on their packaging as they desire and include an ingredient list. This will be an eye-opener for my readers for them to understand how trust in the FDA is lost and transparency from these cosmetic companies was never there, to begin with.

Kim, H. W., Seok, Y. S., Lee, H. G., Song, M. K., & Rhee, M. S. (2021, June 29). Consumers’ lack of understanding of customized cosmetics made on the spot and implications for regulations and controls. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. Retrieved March 27, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230021001197;

Background: This article explained how customized products can be in different categories from DIY to previously made and made on-the-spot cosmetics. These products are advertised as being trustworthy since they allow customers to create their own personalized formula. A study was made and the results show that teenagers had the most interest in customized products which makes it easier for manufacturers to avoid testing and safety regulations.                                 

How I used it: I explained how many people interested in cosmetics know that there is a trend for customized cosmetics. Even though these are products that are falsely advertised by influencers many young girls do not know about this so informing them about the lack of transparency from these companies is what is putting them in danger. 

Kim, H. W., Seok, Y. S., Cho, T. J., & Rhee, M. S. (2020, January 31). Risk factors influencing contamination of customized cosmetics made on-the-spot: Evidence from the National Pilot Project for Public Health. Nature News. Retrieved April 1, 2022, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-57978-9;

Background: These customized cosmetics were shown to have microorganisms due to the fact that these products were being cross-contaminated with equipment and also lacked any safety regulations at all. There was also an explanation on how these organisms can cause bacteria to form and things such as most and E.Coli to form inside these products due to the lack of testing and sanitation.                                                                                                                   

How I used it: Letting my readers know about the lack of sanitary products and qualified workers to help create these formulas is alarming. I wanted girls to understand that these products can have an endless list of side effects due to the lack of testing for safety. 

Eixarch, H., Wyness, L., & Sibanda, M. (2019, May 5). The regulation of personalized cosmetics in the EU. MDPI. Retrieved April 1, 2022, from https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/6/2/29;

Background: The article goes in-depth on European regulations for customized cosmetics from the good manufacturing practice which makes sure that workers are trained and know how to clean equipment properly. The US is compared to Europe as less interested in making any changes to limit products from being cross-contaminated.                                                       

How I used it: Informing my readers that there are regulations put into place by Europe gains hope for change to happen in the cosmetics industry. My readers understand the big gap between a society that seems so developed such as the US and a society in Europe that is not nearly as developed. 

Cho, S., Oh, S., Kim, N. I., Ro, Y. S., Kim, J. S., Park, Y. M., Park, C. W., Lee, W. J., Kim, D. K., Lee, D. W., & Lee, S. J. (2017, March 24). Knowledge and behavior regarding cosmetics in Koreans visiting dermatology clinics. Annals of Dermatology. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28392645/ ;

Background: This article discussed a survey that was given to patients about their knowledge of skincare. The questions were based on side effects, disorders, and what convinced them to purchase a cosmetic product.                                                                                                       

How I used it: Not only did my readers understand how much lack of knowledge there is when it comes to cosmetics. Many of those who were served explained how they used skin whitening products that have been proven to cause diseases. Almost ⅓ of the people given the survey had some type of skin disorder which proves to my readers how these cosmetics have effects on people over time. My readers also understand how reading labels on Foods is normal but the majority of those interviewed and reading my essay most likely never read the ingredients on cosmetics because of a lack of interest and time.

Shrestha, R., & Shakya, J. (2017, February 2). Knowledge regarding adverse effects of selected cosmetic products among higher secondary level girl students, Chitwan. Journal of Chitwan Medical College. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JCMC/article/view/16685 ;

Background: This study which was using 34 students from Chitwan to answer a survey revealed how many of the females were actually knowledgeable about cosmetics but still had no intentions to give up their beauty for their health. The article gave examples of how many women knew that sunscreen and lipstick caused cancers and that these cosmetics have very harmful side effects.                                                                                                                    

How I used it: My readers may have somewhat of an idea of harmful ingredients in cosmetics but in many cases that does not stop them from using cosmetics. I used this article as a wake-up call for my readers to understand how serious statements such as something causing a disease really are. 

Substance abuse and addiction statistics [2022]. NCDAS. (2022, April 6). Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://drugabusestatistics.org/ 

Background: In this article, there were a lot of discussions based on hard drug use and the government’s input.  The idea is that the government invests money for sanitized supplies to help stop this drug abuse pandemic. There were also many examples of common drugs used such as Marigians, heroin, and cocaine. There are also many more regulations put on drugs since they alter the body in so many negative ways.                                                                                  

How I used it: I wanted my readers to see cosmetics from a different point of view where drugs are an ongoing issue that leads to thousands of deaths while cosmetics have not been showing as many horrific cases. Many people get addicted to drugs or have known close ones who have been struggling to recover which makes this argument even more relatable to the readers. I wanted to convince my readers by including some statistics about overdose, lacing, and deaths to help them understand why regulating drugs is on another level compared to cosmetics. 

Affairs, O. of R. (n.d.). Human drugs overview for imported products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/industry/regulated-products/human-drugs 

Background: This article was strictly based on the definition of a drug. There was also an explanation of the requirements a drug needs to pass for the FDA to pass a drug as able to be on sleeves or prescribed.                                                                                                                  

How I used it: I wanted my readers to understand once again a new view on how drugs are their own categories that will never include cosmetics. I explain how there will never be a similarity to regulations since drugs have already been known to have such a big impact on society. 

Yu, H. L. (n.d.). Effects of the virtual makeup using beauty makeup applications on mood, body satisfaction, and self-esteem among female university students. Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles. Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO202026964744899.page 

Background: There was a study done on 114 graduate students. They were placed into two categories one group had to take selfies without makeup while the other group had to take selfies with makeup.                                                                                                                        

How I used it: I explained to my readers how cosmetics are still impacting women and making them insecure because of the beauty standards. Many women can not get jobs or be in relationships because they look less professional and less attractive. Beauty is a part of self-care and it should be regulated to ensure safety for all users. 

D. M. (n.d.). Cosmetics, skincare, and appearance in teenagers. Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery. Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10468044/ 

Background: The article explains how teenagers are not only exposed to these harmful cosmetics but are promoted to use them by these cosmetic companies which makes it even harder to escape.                                                                                                                                         

How I used it: I wanted my readers to know they are the main target and will continue to buy cosmetics. The main effect I want to have on my audience is to explain to them that they are the bait and without the bait, there is no target market to advertise these harmful products to.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, October 7). Treatment for common illnesses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/common-illnesses.html

Background: The article goes into detail on how the common cold consists of many different viruses. There is also a description of treatments that are used today to help treat the common cold which did kill many people before the development of drugs.                                         

  How I used it: I went into detail on how medications have become so advanced throughout the years and made such a big impact on keeping people healthy. This alone will convince my readers that drugs are so powerful that they can help people stay alive and healthy which makes them a perfect contender for being strictly regulated by the FDA instead of cosmetics that are beauty-based and have no life-changing benefits or negatives. While this is incorrect I wanted my readers to understand that using sunscreen can prevent aging and sun damage which can lead to cancer and how other cosmetics are used to keep us healthy humans.