marketing written assignment #2

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser.

Ingredients include:

Water, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Masking Fragrance, Panthenol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser has been a part of my morning/night routine for the last couple of months and I don't see myself using anything different. I never really thought about what I was routinely putting on my face, I had the perception that if it worked then who cared? Wrong. Upon looking up the different ingredients that I could barely pronounce, I started asking why. Why put those ingredients if it was going to hurt you physically? I searched for this particular product in the EWG'S Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, they provided the different ingredient impacts to humans and here are the results.

Overall Hazard: moderate

Cancer: none

Developmental & reproductive toxicity: none

Allergies & immunotoxicity: high moderate

Use restrictions: low moderate

Other HIGH concerns: Endocrine disruption, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Contamination concerns, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Miscellaneous, Occupational hazards.

Other MODERATE concerns: Biochemical or cellular level changes, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

Other LOW concerns: Enhanced skin absorption, Data gaps, Ecotoxicology.

When we break down the ingredients to see the specific impacts each makes, we see:

-Fragrance

Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology

OKALA: Toxic Substance Exposure

-PEG 7 Glyceryl cocoate

Enhanced skin absorption, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Use restrictions, Contamination concerns

OKALA: Toxic Substance Exposure

-Methylparaben

Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Biochemical or cellular level changes, Use restrictions

OKALA: Toxic Substance Exposure

-Phenoxyethanol

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Use restrictions, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Allergies/immunotoxicity

OKALA: Toxic Substance Exposure

-PEG-200 Hydrogenated glyceryl palmate

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns

OKALA: Toxic Substance Exposure

-PEG-60 Hydrogenated castor oil

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns

OKALA: Toxic Substance Exposure

-Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions, Ecotoxicology, Contamination concerns

OKALA: Toxic Substance Exposure

-Acrylates/steareth 20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Use restrictions, Contamination concerns

After reviewing each product impact, I came to the conclusion that since the hazard risk is moderately risky, I will continue to use this product because to me, it does a good job and I see results and don't want to stray to a different cleanser that might not work.

I researched further into the ingredient phenoxyethanol which is found in many different beauty products including moisturizer, eye shadow, foundation, sunscreen, conditioner, mascara, eye liner, shampoo, lip gloss etc to limit bacterial growth. Exposure to phenoxyethanol can cause allergic reactions (sometimes severe) and eczema. Infant oral exposure to phenoyethanol can acutely affect nervous system function.

CFP: Chemical Footprint Project

Similar to the Carbon Footprint Challenge, the Chemical Footprint Project consists of measuring and disclosing data of chemicals used globally by businesses and also provides safer alternatives to chemical reduction.

The Vision of the Chemical Footprint Project.

"We envision a world where chemicals are healthy for people and the environment; where disease rates for cancer, infertility, asthma, and learning disabilities are falling rapidly; and where governments and markets reward healthy products. To achieve this vision the Chemical Footprint Project tracks, disseminates, and benchmarks corporate progress to safer chemicals in products, manufacturing, and supply chains.”

"Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser ." EWG'S Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/674680/Cetaphil_Daily_Facial_Cleanser/#.WtfqOGUld8c. Accessed 18 Apr. 2018.

"Phenoxyethanol ." Campaign For Safe Cosmetics , www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/phenoxyethanol/. Accessed 18 Apr. 2018.