Exposure to toxic substances in cosmetics is an environmental justice and reproductive health concern. Pregnancy can heighten an individual’s susceptibility to the effects of environmental toxins resulting in risks to both individuals’ and infant’s health outcomes; the prenatal period is a critical window of development and early life exposures may impact pregnancy health outcomes as well as health outcomes for the infant later in life. Growing concerns stem from research linking cosmetic use and cosmetic-associated ingredients to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes such as gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and low birth weight infants. Women of reproductive age use an average of 10 cosmetics in their daily routines which may include hair products, lotion, soap, and makeup.
