By Margaret Tomaszewicz
I am going to admit, I will buy and try any new cream or potion that is promising a breakthrough in anti-aging. Being an esthetician and a skincare product developer, I am always on the lookout for the newest “best thing “ to offer to my clients.
Many of us do not give a thought as to what it took to manufacture the creams and makeup that we are using every day. However, as human beings and animal lovers, we have to stand up for animal rights and stop companies that are testing their products on animals.
Personally, I will not support any cosmetics companies that have flourished and benefits financially by selling products tested on animals, no matter how fantastic the results are that they are promising.
Do you know that cosmetics in the U.S. are large and surprisingly unregulated? Currently, there is no official agency in charge to oversee that beauty product are ethically manufactured.
Luckily things are changing. California may become the first state to formally ban testing of cosmetic products on animals. The California Cruelty-Free Cosmetic Act would make it illegal for any cosmetic company to “knowingly import or sell any cosmetics, including personal hygiene products such as deodorant, shampoo or conditioner in California, if the final product or any component of the product was tested on animals after January 1, 2020.”
Senator Cathleen Galgiani is introducing the bill and it is formally known as SB 1249. The bill is sponsored by the Social Compassion in Legislation and Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine.
“Banning animal-tested cosmetics in California will encourage manufacturers to clean up their act and stop selling animal-tested products across the United States,” says Kristie Sullivan, vice-president of research policy with the Physician Committee.
In the near future, I will be speaking with Dr. Sullivan to let you know how we can support this legislation.
In the meantime, since 2020 is still two years away we can vote with our pockets by not purchasing any products that do not display a “Cruelty-Free” logo.
By doing this we can together save thousands of animals lives and use products that we feel good about.
To your Health!
Margaret Tomaszewicz is a licensed esthetician with over 25 years of experience. She is the owner of European Skin and Massage Studio in Santa Monica, California and has developed the Organic WODA European Natural Skin Care Line. Her products are available on wodaskincare.com and on Amazon.com. For every product sold WODA Skin Care plants a tree. Margaret can be reached at 424-279-9771 or europeanskinandmassagestudio@gmail.com | wodaskincare.com
