Did you know that Black women spend more on beauty products per capita than any other demographic—nine times more on hair products alone compared to the average consumer?
In 2023, Black women spent a staggering $9.4 billion on beauty products, highlighting the immense economic power this group holds within the industry. However, this significant spending is shadowed by a growing concern: many of these products contain toxic chemicals that pose serious health risks.
For Black women, there are two key issues at play. First, while we invest heavily in beauty products, many of these products contain harmful chemicals that we should be deeply concerned about.
And second, there are what we call “skewed beauty standards” that can pressure Black women to conform to certain beauty ideals that society deems more “professional” or “appropriate,” often pushing us toward products that don’t prioritize safety.
Dr. Namandjé N. Bumpus, an American pharmacologist and Principal Deputy Commissioner at the FDA, advocates for banning harmful chemicals.
She warns that “hair straighteners containing formaldehyde—products frequently marketed to Black women—pose significant health risks. When used with heat, these products increase the risk of cancers, including those of the upper respiratory tract and myeloid leukemia.”
Even more troubling, studies from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveal that Black women who use chemical hair straighteners face a higher risk of uterine and breast cancers, as well as endocrine system disruptions. These findings are a wake-up call and a stark reminder that the products marketed to Black women come with dangerous, long-term health consequences.
Are Black women woke?
We’ve all heard the term “woke”—often associated with being aware and actively engaged with issues of racial and social justice. But when it comes to the beauty industry, the real question is whether Black women are truly “woke” to the fact that many of the products marketed to us may be slowly harming our bodies.
The answer is both yes and no. While there are Black-owned beauty brands that prioritize clean, safe ingredients, many women are still unaware of the dangerous chemicals hidden in many of their favorite products, or that healthier alternatives even exist. Unfortunately, large beauty corporations exploit this lack of awareness, using predatory marketing tactics to keep women buying toxic products, often at the expense of their health.
Relying on government agencies like the FDA to protect us from these harmful products is not enough. The key lies in empowering Black women to take matters into their own hands—by making informed choices, advocating for safer products, and demanding transparency and accountability from beauty companies.
The conversation within our communities must evolve, and it’s up to us to expand that dialogue. We must push for change not only within the marketplace but also on a consumer level, holding brands accountable for the products they market to us. It’s time to take control of our beauty routines and ensure that the products we use are safe, effective, and free of harmful chemicals. This isn’t just about advocating for better regulation; it’s about raising awareness, building community support, and shifting demand toward brands that prioritize health and safety.
How do we move forward with beauty products?
First and foremost, we need to amplify the voices of Black-owned, clean beauty brands and demand greater transparency from the beauty industry at large. But we can’t just sit back and wait for change—we have to take action. Black women must start developing their own products and buying from one another.
I know this sounds like a tall order, but it’s not impossible. As the inventor of “Goodbye Glue”—the first and only non-toxic eyelash adhesive—I understand firsthand the challenges of changing consumer behavior, especially when it comes to beauty products. After partnering with 3M to create the world’s first chemical-free, glue-less lash adhesive in 2023, I truly believed women would discard their toxic eyelash glues in favor of Goodbye Glue. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen as quickly as I’d hoped but I’ve realized something.
Changing consumer habits doesn’t happen overnight, and the beauty industry spends tens of millions of dollars on marketing to keep women hooked on products that contain harmful chemicals. But despite these challenges, we must be committed to persevering—raising awareness, starting conversations, and pushing for change.
The time is now for us to create and sell our own products, just like other communities do. It’s possible, but it starts with building trust among ourselves. Once we build that trust, we can take ownership of the products we consume, reclaim control over our beauty standards, and make millions of dollars in the process.
Let’s start now—together.
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