Not So Pretty

We love that makeup can help us look our best, but a key ingredient in cosmetics -- talc -- has frequently been shown to contain asbestos, a cancer-causing substance. After thousands of consumers of personal care products get cancer, concerned scientists, lawyers and consumers come together to expose the ugly side of a multi-billion-dollar cosmetics industry -- and the lengths certain companies will go to protect their bottom line.

Salon-styled nails have become the ultimate fashion accessory over the past century. In the 1970s, Vietnamese refugees helped revolutionize the nail industry, turning the mani-pedi from an expensive luxury into an affordable indulgence. But with little regulation over cheap, mass-produced products, many salon workers have suffered from respiratory issues, birth defects and even cancer. As concerned family members and scientists work towards solutions, lobbyists attempt to block measures that would protect technicians and consumers alike.

Skin is the body's largest organ, but the chemicals found in sunscreens, lotions, body washes and soaps have been shown to disrupt hormone production and lead to losses in fertility and birth defects. Taking a stand against the $140 billion industry, doctors and scientists discuss how consumers can avoid harmful fragrances and plastics, as well as the ways pollution can disproportionately affect communities of color.

Haircare is a $113 billion industry, but what do we know about the products we use to tame our tresses? In a haircare case study, a popular brand of curl products comes under fire after users and former sponsored-content influencers speak out about their experiences of harm, including hair loss and reproductive issues. Then, consumer advocates share how hair straightening products are disproportionately marketed to Black women, and the ways the curly hair and natural hair movements have helped to empower women of all backgrounds to take a stand against the use of harmful chemicals.