Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH) is targeting the hidden dangers in everyday personal care products with the introduction of a new legislative proposal, the HER Act.
The Her Act is a bill designed to protect women’s health by increasing research, awareness, and access to safer products.
In a recent Instagram post, Rep. Brown sounded the alarm about the health risks posed by commonly used items, including hair relaxers, body lotions, deodorants, leave-in conditioners, and makeup, many of which contain hormone-disrupting chemicals.
“Some of these chemicals have been linked to serious health problems like fibroids, infertility, early puberty, and more,” Brown said. “And here’s the hard truth: Black and Hispanic women are more likely to use these products and more likely to deal with the fallout. And that’s just not right.”
The HER Act, short for Health Empowerment and Research, is built on three core pillars:
- Funding scientific research into how harmful chemicals in personal care products affect women’s health, especially across racial and ethnic lines.
- Raising public awareness about the risks hidden in everyday products.
- Pushing for safer, non-toxic alternatives to become the industry standard—accessible to all women, regardless of income or background.
Brown’s legislation spotlights a longstanding environmental justice issue—the disproportionate exposure of women of color to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and other toxins found in consumer goods marketed specifically to them. Numerous studies have found that Black and Hispanic women use hair and skin care products more frequently than other groups, particularly those that are aggressively targeted toward their communities.
“All women deserve products that are safe to use. Period,” Brown declared.
As national conversations around health equity, reproductive justice, and cosmetic safety gain momentum, the HER Act is already receiving support from advocates who have long called for greater transparency and regulation in the beauty and personal care industry.
If passed, the HER Act could become a landmark public health measure, especially for communities that have been historically overlooked in regulatory health and safety decisions.
