I don’t care if my lip gloss has a pink ribbon on it, or even if it donates 10% to a non-profit.
I want that lip gloss to be free from the endocrine-disruptors and carcinogens that contribute to breast cancer in the first place.
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means pinkwashing is running rampant.
Pinkwashing is when companies use breast cancer awareness campaigns to sell products, even if those products contain chemicals linked to the disease.
This practice misleads consumers, who believe they are supporting a good cause when, in fact, they may be purchasing items that contain toxic chemicals linked to breast cancer.
The problem with pinkwashing is twofold:
- It misleads consumers: Companies often use the pink ribbon to improve their public image and boost sales. However, the pink ribbon doesn’t necessarily mean the product is safe or contributes meaningfully to breast cancer research.
- It comes with health concerns: Many products that carry breast cancer awareness branding contain chemicals that have been shown to disrupt hormones and increase breast cancer risk. Chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and BPA are often found in cosmetics, plastics, and cleaning products, yet are still marketed during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Common chemicals linked to breast cancer
As I discuss in this corresponding article, genetics make up only 5-10% of breast cancer cases.
That means at least 90% of breast cancer diagnoses (which are going up, especially among people under 50) are attributable to environmental causes.
These environmental factors include things like smoking and alcohol use as well as the constant exposure to toxic chemicals through everyday products, air pollution, and water pollution.
But for now, let me give you some examples of pinkwashing so that you can get a better idea of what it looks like when you’re out shopping in the real world.
By being aware of these practices, avoiding pinkwashed products, and supporting truly non-toxic alternatives, you can make informed decisions that prioritize both your own health and the wellbeing of breast cancer patients.
Pinkwashed makeup & skincare
Here are some “limited edition” cosmetics that support Breast Cancer Awareness month and some of the problematic ingredients they contain.
Bobbi Brown Proud To Be Pink Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss Duo
❌ Undisclosed fragrance
❌ BHT
❌ Several high-risk FC&C lake colorants
❌ Several other ingredients that have been known to have carcinogenic contamination
Clinique Great Skin, Great Cause: Limited Edition Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+™
❌ Mineral oil / Paraffin / Petrolatum
❌ Triethanolamine
❌ BHT
❌ FD&C lake colorants
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Cooling Gel Moisturizer for Redness Pink Ribbon Edition
❌ FD&C lake colorants
❌ Several ingredients with contamination concerns
Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Marine Cream
❌ Undisclosed fragrance
❌ Multiple products with contamination concerns
Estee Lauder Bouquet of Strength Lip Collection Pink Ribbon Makeup Gift Set
❌ Undisclosed fragrance
❌ BHT
❌ Microplastics
❌ Many FC&C lake colorants, including high-risk ones
❌ Several ingredients with carcinogenic contamination concerns
Estee Lauder Limited Edition Pink Ribbon Advanced Night Repair Serum
❌ Triethanolamine
❌ BHT
❌ Multiple ingredients with contamination concerns
❌ FD&C lake colorants
Laura Geller Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Kit
❌ Talc
❌ Microplastics
❌ Several products with contamination concerns
La Mer The Lip Balm
❌ Undisclosed fragrance
❌ BHT
❌ Petrolatum
❌ Several high-risk FC&C lake colors
Lys Higher Standards Cream Glow Blush Stick
❌ Many FC&C lake colors, including high-risk ones
Purlisse Pink Ribbon Bundle
❌ Homosalate
❌ Undisclosed fragrance
❌ Multiple ingredients with contamination concerns
❌ Multiple high-risk FD&C lake colors
❌ All of these products include undisclosed fragrance as well as petroleum-derived ingredients:
Barry M CoppaFeel! Lipple Love Giftset
Bumble & Bumble Limited-Edition Pink Ribbon Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
Jo Malone Special-Edition Peony & Blush Suede Cologne
❌ And these products don’t even list their ingredients:
Aerin Pure Spray
Aveda limited-edition hand relief™ moisturizing creme with cherry almond aroma
Alcohol
Despite the fact that even a little bit of alcohol consumption increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer, there are a lot of alcohol brands that support “breast cancer awareness” campaigns:
- Argaux’s DRINK PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness donates 100% of proceeds from their Drink Pink Kit, which includes 2 bottles of wine
- Sutter Home (a wine brand) has a “Sutter Home for Hope” campaign, which donates to the National Breast Cancer Foundation
- Jim Barry Wines will donate 100% of proceeds from the Jim Barry Nurse Series Rosé during the month of October for their “Summer of Pink” campaign.
- Cahaba Brewing Co. brews a special beer each year and each purchase donates to breast cancer research.
- Morton’s Steakhouse is running a campaign where $1 from every glass and $4 from every bottle of a specific kind of wine, and $1 from each specialty Pink Ribbon cocktail, will be donated to support National Breast Cancer Foundation.
- UNA Vodka launched a Flowers for Strength Campaign where they will donate $2 for every bottle of vodka sold to breast cancer non-profits.
This is only a select few examples. There are countless other alcohol brands putting on Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns during the month of October.
There are actually multiple studies that have looked specifically at the alcohol industry’s pinkwashing practices.
This research has shown that this type of marketing can create a perception that the products are healthier and more socially responsible, leading to more positive attitudes toward the brand and reduced support for policies aimed at limiting alcohol consumption.
I’m sure some of these brands have good intentions. But overall, the evidence indicates that pinkwashing in alcohol marketing takes advantage of women’s health concerns for profit and undermines public health efforts to address alcohol-related harms.
So many more pinkwashed products…
I found more than a few bra brands that give back to breast cancer non-profits for the month of October. But unfortunately, most of those bras are made from plastics like polyester, which can leach endocrine-disruptors like BPA through your skin and can contain potentially harmful dyes and other chemicals.
I easily found a LOT of candle brands that give back during Breast Cancer awareness month, but don’t list their fragrance ingredients or even indicate that they are phthalate-free.
And so. much. plastic. From the air pollution caused by plastics production to microplastic pollution formed when plastic products break down, plastics add to breast cancer risk throughout every stage of the lifecycle.
4 Brands that are not pinkwashing
If you want to support some truly non-toxic brands that are giving back to organizations that support breast cancer research and recovery, check out these companies instead.
These are brands our team has used and recommend regularly. We may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links, at no extra cost to you.
Reprise Activewear
Reprise is a great activewear brand (one of my favorites!) that makes leggings and sports bras made primarily out of plant-based TENCEL instead of petroleum-based plastics like polyester.
I can tell you first-hand that their fabric is super soft and comfortable. And I love that they have very inclusive sizing options and a maternity collection!
10% of all sales in October will go to breastcancer.org.
By the way, this member-exclusive article dives deep into the toxic chemicals commonly found in activewear and how they can be absorbed into our bodies.
Primally Pure
Primally Pure is one of the best personal care brands for cleansers, deodorants, and a lot more. They’re focused on things like fostering your skin’s healthy microbiome and supporting regenerative agriculture. They don’t use any synthetic ingredients.
Throughout October, they are donating $1 to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (up to $16K) for every order that includes a product from the Breast Care Collection (which includes deodorant, Everything Spray, and lymphatic drainage tools).
P.S. Stay tuned because we have a full review of Primally Pure coming out soon!
Klean Kanteen
Klean Kanteen doesn’t actually have a specific campaign going on this month, but they have supported Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) year-round for 20 years now!
From BCPP: “In addition to donating nearly $400,000 in cash and products to BCPP, their partnership has strengthened our advocacy efforts, which led to federal bans on BPA in baby bottles.”
Klean Kanteen offers stainless steel water bottles, tumblers, and food storage containers. Drinking and eating out of products like theirs can help you decrease the amount of microplastics you ingest.
My family and I have used multiple Klean Kanteen products over the years and they’re very high-quality and durable. They last a long time and do a great job at keeping your food or drink hot or cold.
(P.S. Unlike Stanley, they’re lead-free, too!)
Henry Rose
Like Klean Kanteen, Henry Rose doesn’t have a specific Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, but rather, they donate to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners year-round.
Henry Rose is one of the few perfume brands that can truly compete when it comes to fragrance, but that actually prioritizes safety and transparency.
Henry Rose has no tolerance for the “fragrance” loopholes in the industry and is committed to listing out all of their fragrance ingredients (which is extremely rare in the perfume world).
Free from a list of thousands of potentially problematic ingredients, Henry Rose was the first fine fragrance to be both EWG Verified™ and Cradle to Cradle Certified™.
3 tips to avoid pinkwashing
- Ignore the pink ribbon: Don’t assume that something is healthy just because it’s pink or gives back to a breast cancer non-profit.
- Check ingredient labels: I know reading labels can be confusing, but try to at least avoid things like “fragrance,” parabens, and PFAS. Although imperfect, apps and databases like EWG’s Skin Deep and ClearYa can be helpful.
- Donate directly: Instead of buying pinkwashed products, consider donating directly to breast cancer organizations that focus on research and prevention. (We are matching donations to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners this month—more info below!)
We’re matching donations to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners this month
For the month of October, The Filtery will match reader donations to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) up to $1000 USD.
BCPP is an amazing non-profit organization that is working to prevent breast cancer by eliminating toxic chemicals and other environmental exposures that lead to breast cancer.
If you donate to BCPP, just email your receipt to support@thefiltery.com and we’ll match it!