The Safer Beauty Bill Package: What It Is and Why It Matters
For decades, cosmetic products in the United States have been regulated under laws that were written long before the modern beauty industry existed. As scientific understanding of chemical exposure has advanced, policymakers and public health advocates have increasingly called for stronger oversight of ingredients used in personal care products.
A new set of federal proposals known as the Safer Beauty Bill Package aims to address these gaps.
The Clean Beauty Coalition is proud to announce that we officially support and endorse the Safer Beauty Bill Package, a comprehensive legislative effort designed to strengthen cosmetic safety protections, improve ingredient transparency, and protect communities that experience disproportionate exposure to toxic chemicals through beauty products.
“These bills represent an important step toward aligning cosmetic safety standards with modern science and public health protections.”
— Amber Makupson, Founder, Clean Beauty Coalition
The legislation was introduced by Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) along with Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Representative Doris Matsui (CA-07).
Together, the bills form one of the most comprehensive federal efforts to modernize cosmetic safety regulation in the United States.
Official Congressional announcement:
What is the Safer Beauty Bill Package?
The Safer Beauty Bill Package is a suite of four federal bills designed to strengthen protections around cosmetic ingredients and improve transparency in the beauty industry.
The package addresses several major regulatory gaps, including:
• the use of hazardous chemicals in cosmetics
• lack of transparency around fragrance ingredients
• occupational exposure risks for salon workers
• supply chain transparency for cosmetic ingredients
Together, the legislation aims to bring U.S. cosmetic safety standards closer to those used in other parts of the world while improving protections for consumers and beauty professionals.
Why Cosmetic Regulation Is Being Reexamined
Americans use beauty and personal care products daily. Shampoo, conditioners, lotions, deodorants, fragrances, hair dyes, nail products, and cosmetics are often used repeatedly over many years.
Yet the legal framework governing cosmetic safety in the United States has historically allowed many chemicals to remain in products without comprehensive review under modern scientific standards.
Researchers studying environmental health and toxicology increasingly examine:
• cumulative chemical exposure
• endocrine-disrupting chemicals
• occupational exposure among salon workers
• environmental contamination from cosmetic ingredients
These concerns have prompted lawmakers and public health organizations to push for updated regulatory frameworks.
The Four Bills in the Safer Beauty Bill Package
The Safer Beauty Bill Package includes four separate pieces of legislation that together address major gaps in cosmetic safety oversight.
H.R. 4433 — Toxic-Free Beauty Act
Introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, the Toxic-Free Beauty Act proposes banning some of the most hazardous chemicals currently used in cosmetic products.
The bill targets chemicals such as:
• mercury
• parabens
• lead
• asbestos
• toluene
• certain phthalates
• formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Many of these substances have already been restricted or banned in other countries, yet they may still appear in certain cosmetic products sold in the United States.
The goal of the Toxic-Free Beauty Act is to eliminate the most dangerous chemicals from beauty products and encourage safer alternatives.
H.R. 4436 — Cosmetic Safety Protections for Communities of Color and Salon Workers
Introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Rep. Ayanna Pressley, this bill focuses on populations that may experience higher levels of chemical exposure through cosmetic products.
The legislation would support:
• research on chemical exposure linked to beauty products
• educational programs for salon workers
• outreach programs for communities disproportionately exposed to cosmetic chemicals
• development of safer alternatives
The bill also directs attention to synthetic braiding hair, which has raised concerns after some research found contaminants including heavy metals and other potentially harmful substances.
Salon workers and beauty professionals often experience repeated exposure to cosmetic chemicals throughout their careers, making occupational safety an important focus of the legislation.
H.R. 4435 — Cosmetic Hazardous Ingredient Right-to-Know Act
Introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Rep. Doris Matsui, this bill addresses one of the most persistent transparency gaps in the beauty industry: fragrance disclosure.
Fragrance mixtures can contain dozens — sometimes hundreds — of chemical ingredients. Under current regulations, companies are often allowed to list these mixtures simply as “fragrance” on product labels.
The Right-to-Know Act would require companies to disclose fragrance and flavor ingredients on product labels and websites, helping consumers understand what chemicals may be present in the products they use.
The bill also aims to improve public access to safety information about cosmetic ingredients.
H.R. 4434 — Cosmetic Supply Chain Transparency Act
The Cosmetic Supply Chain Transparency Act, introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, focuses on ingredient traceability.
Cosmetic products rely on complex global supply chains involving:
• ingredient suppliers
• chemical manufacturers
• product formulators
• packaging providers
This bill would require suppliers and manufacturers to provide cosmetic companies with full ingredient information and safety data.
The goal is to improve transparency across the supply chain so companies can make safer formulation decisions.
Why This Legislation Matters
Supporters of the Safer Beauty Bill Package argue that the legislation represents an important step toward updating cosmetic safety regulations to reflect modern scientific understanding.
Potential benefits include:
• stronger protections against hazardous chemicals
• improved ingredient transparency for consumers
• better protections for salon workers
• increased accountability within the cosmetic supply chain
The legislation also reflects broader conversations about environmental health, consumer protection, and occupational safety.
Disproportionate Exposure and Environmental Justice
Research suggests that exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in beauty products is not evenly distributed.
Studies have found that certain personal care products marketed to Black women and other communities may contain higher levels of potentially hazardous ingredients.
Salon workers — many of whom are women and immigrants — may also experience repeated exposure to cosmetic chemicals throughout their careers.
Public health advocates argue that cosmetic safety policies should consider these disparities when evaluating regulatory standards.
What Happens Next
Because the Safer Beauty Bill Package has recently been introduced, the coming months will determine how the legislation progresses.
Possible next steps include:
• committee review
• additional co-sponsors joining the legislation
• expert testimony and research discussions
• endorsements from organizations and industry stakeholders
Legislative progress often depends on coalition building and sustained public engagement.
Clean Beauty Coalition’s Position
The Clean Beauty Coalition believes cosmetic safety standards should reflect modern scientific research and protect the health of consumers, workers, and communities.
We are proud to support the Safer Beauty Bill Package and its efforts to strengthen transparency, reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals, and improve protections for those most affected by cosmetic chemical exposure.
As the legislative process continues, the Clean Beauty Coalition will remain engaged in the conversation and advocate for policies that prioritize public health and environmental safety.
Sources & References
Congressional Research Service
Cosmetic regulation overview
Official Bill Sources & References
Congressional Press Announcement
Introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky with Reps. Lizzie Fletcher, Ayanna Pressley, and Doris Matsui
Individual Bills in the Safer Beauty Bill Package
H.R. 4433 — Toxic-Free Beauty Act
Bans several of the most hazardous chemicals from cosmetic products.
Congress bill page:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4433
H.R. 4436 — Cosmetic Safety Protections for Communities of Color and Salon Workers Act
Funds research, outreach, and education related to chemical exposure in communities of color and among salon workers.
Congress bill page:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4436
H.R. 4435 — Cosmetic Hazardous Ingredient Right-to-Know Act
Requires disclosure of fragrance and flavor ingredients in cosmetics.
Congress bill page:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4435
H.R. 4434 — Cosmetic Supply Chain Transparency Act
Requires cosmetic ingredient suppliers and manufacturers to disclose ingredient and safety data across the supply chain.
Congress bill page:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4434
Supporting Scientific References
U.S. Food & Drug Administration – Cosmetics Safety
National Institutes of Health – Environmental Health Perspectives
Research on chemical exposure and public health
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Chemical carcinogen classifications
https://monographs.iarc.who.int
