The State of Black Beauty Justice: A Critical Update on Toxic Hair Product Safety
- Moyo Institute, Inc.
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
Consumer Reports and Black Health Coalition Continue Fight Against Dangerous Chemicals in Beauty Products
If you attended the Love Letters to Our Bodies workshop last year, you had the priviledge to hear Astrid Williams, Ph.D., from the California Black Health Network present information on the Black Beauty Justice Project. It was eye-opening to learn about research into the chemicals used in beauty products.
The presentation named "I AM CONSCIOUS" focused on reclaiming natural beauty while working to raise awareness of the high-cost associated with aspiring to European beauty standards propagated by the dominant society.
Eight months ago, groundbreaking research from Consumer Reports sent shockwaves through the beauty industry and Black communities nationwide. Their testing of synthetic braiding hair revealed a disturbing truth: all 10 products examined contained toxic chemicals, including the cancer-causing agent benzene. Now, a powerful coalition of Black organizations is partnering with Consumer Reports to provide a crucial update on their ongoing fight for safer beauty products.
Remarkable Progress Despite Ongoing Challenges
Since the initial toxic hair testing results were released, the coalition has achieved impressive milestones:
Community Mobilization: Over 20,000 people have signed petitions demanding that corporations remove benzene and other harmful chemicals from their beauty products, demonstrating widespread public concern about product safety.
Legislative Action: Advocates have been actively pushing for both state and national legislation to establish new safety standards for beauty and personal care products, particularly those marketed to Black consumers.
Youth Engagement: The coalition has invested in the next generation through summer STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs, offering young leaders laboratory tours and lessons in community advocacy.
Media Recognition: Major outlets including BET and Essence have featured this important work, amplifying awareness about toxic chemicals in beauty products used primarily by Black women and girls.
What's Next: The State of Black Beauty Justice Event
The coalition is hosting "The State of Black Beauty Justice" on Tuesday, September 30, from 4 PM PT / 6 PM CT / 7 PM ET. This virtual gathering promises to be a pivotal moment for the movement, offering participants the opportunity to:
Learn about victories achieved through collective action
Understand the challenges that remain in ensuring product safety
Discover how to stay safe and informed during the upcoming holiday shopping season
Hear directly from Beauty Justice advocates and community partners
Learn concrete ways to hold companies and policymakers accountable
The Broader Implications
This work represents more than just product safety—it's about environmental justice and health equity. The disproportionate exposure of Black women and girls to toxic chemicals in beauty products reflects broader systemic inequalities in consumer protection and corporate accountability.
The synthetic braiding hair testing results revealed a troubling pattern: products primarily used by Black consumers contained dangerous chemicals that would likely not be tolerated in products marketed to other demographics. This disparity highlights the urgent need for stronger regulations and corporate responsibility.
How to Get Involved
The coalition emphasizes that this movement depends on broad community participation. They encourage people to:
RSVP for the September 30th event
Share the invitation with family, friends, and community members
Stay engaged with ongoing advocacy efforts
Take action by supporting legislation for safer beauty standards
Make informed choices when purchasing beauty and hair care products
Looking Forward
As the holiday shopping season approaches, the timing of this update is particularly relevant. Many consumers will be purchasing beauty products as gifts, making education about product safety essential for protecting community health.
The partnership between Consumer Reports and Black community organizations represents a powerful model for advocacy—combining scientific expertise with grassroots organizing to create meaningful change. Their work continues to pressure decision-makers to "stand on the right side of history and champion justice" for communities disproportionately affected by toxic beauty products.
To join this important conversation and learn about the current state of Black Beauty Justice, RSVP for the September 30th event and help build momentum for safer beauty standards that protect all consumers. REGISTER HERE.
The State of Black Beauty Justice event represents an ongoing commitment to consumer safety, environmental justice, and community health. For more information about the Beauty Justice movement and how to get involved, participants are encouraged to attend the virtual event on September 30th.