Potentially Harmful Chemicals Used in Many Cosmetic Products Banned by California Governor

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has banned 26 chemicals — used in many cosmetics such as hair products, bodywash and nail polish — due to concerns about health harms.

The Golden State’s economy is the largest in the United States and the fifth largest in the world, meaning the new law marks another move that could influence the consumer landscape of not only California, but the rest of the nation.

Introduced by Assemblymember Laura Friedman in February, Assembly Bill 496 expands upon the state’s 2020 Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, which bans 24 other commonly used chemicals from inclusion in personal care products. The original law goes into effect in 2025, and the new law won’t be implemented until 2027, giving companies time to revamp product recipes.

This year’s law, approved by Newsom on October 8, prohibits the manufacture, selling or delivery of any cosmetic product containing ingredients commonly used in shampoo and conditioner; hairspray and dyes; hygiene products; foundation and primer; lotions; fragrances such as perfumes and laundry powders; and more.

The banned ingredients — including vinyl acetate, boron substances, certain colors and styrene — are found in at least hundreds of products, according to the Environmental Working Group. You can view the list of all 50 banned chemicals here.