Pinkwashing: A term used to describe companies that position themselves as leaders in the fight against breast cancer while engaging in practices that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease.
We’ve all seen the beauty products dressed up with pink ribbons and cute promotions claiming to be strong advocates for the fight against breast cancer. Unfortunately, many of these same corporations continue to use chemicals that are linked to cancer.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has repeatedly asked Avon, Revlon and Estee Lauder – the three largest users of the pink ribbon in the cosmetics industry – to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to remove chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities, and other harmful health impacts from their products. The companies have been unwilling to make this public commitment to eliminate carcinogens and other chemicals of concern from their products.
If they are serious about being champions for women's health, the pink-ribbon ringleaders must stop buying carcinogens and other harmful chemicals from the chemical companies.
