Are My Beauty Products Safe? | Nour Abochama

About this Podcast:

How do you really know that beauty products are safe to use? You can’t always trust what companies say, and even an ingredient that is generally safe may still cause a rash or reaction due to an allergy. In this episode, Nour covers the full details to help you learn whether a beauty product is safe to use.

The Importance of Beauty Product Testing

• Before fully using a new beauty product, it’s important to test it on a small area of your body. This way, if you start to experience a rash or an upset stomach, you’ll know it’s because of the new product and not something else.  
• However, product testing isn’t just about checking for safety—it’s also about ensuring that the product’s claims are accurate.

Big Companies vs. Farmer’s Market Regulations

• In the U.S., regulations for natural health products and pharmaceutical products differ.
• The regulations for natural health products are less strict than those for prescription drugs.  
• It's a good idea to review the ingredients list for natural health products before buying to ensure there’s no contamination.

What Happens if a Beauty Product Fails Testing?

• When a product fails to meet regulatory requirements, a quality control specialist will take corrective actions to ensure consumer safety.  
• For example, if a multivitamin does not match its label claims due to contamination or incomplete formulation, the manufacturer may revise the formulation or retest it. 
• In some cases, the entire batch may need to be destroyed if the contamination cannot be resolved, affecting product availability on the market.

How to Know Which Products Are Safe

• Nour’s advice is to stick to organic beauty products from big brands. This way, you know the product was tested and regulated properly.  
• Also, always trust your body. If you notice a reaction after testing a product on yourself, it may not be safe for you.

“The most important thing is: don’t panic. Trust your body. If there’s something you’ve been using for a long time, it’s probably safe. When you have a problem, your body will usually tell you right away.” - Nour Abochama.