"Kosas Cosmetics: Navigating the Issue of Mold in Beauty Products".

You may wonder how serious the mold problem in beauty products is. The answer to this questions came on Feb. 7, 2023 when NBC News published a long article by Morgan Sung titled “Allegations of mold in Kosas concealer have customers questioning the 'clean' beauty movement.”

The situation is really dire.

Kosas, a clean beauty brand that markets its products as "skin-improving" and free of harmful chemicals, is facing backlash after a Reddit post about mold in its concealer was circulated on TikTok. The brand's popular Revealer Concealer has become a staple for those following the "clean girl aesthetic," but recent TikTok videos have complained of rancid odors, skin irritations, and discoloration. Some cosmetic chemists have raised concerns about the product's stability, since it uses alternative preservative ingredients. Despite the criticism, a representative for Kosas stated that the brand uses "safe, effective preservatives and antimicrobial stabilizers" and directed NBC News to the brand's FAQ page. However, some TikTok users have claimed that their concealer developed issues before the product's Point After Opening (PAO) date.

The clean beauty movement has been gaining immense popularity in recent times, with many cosmetic brands claiming to offer skin-improving, chemical-free products. However, the recent controversy surrounding the mold in a popular concealer by Kosas, a brand that claims to be “clean,” has raised questions over the authenticity of these claims.

Kosas, known for its “skin-improving” makeup products, has been accused of having mold in its Revealer Concealer. This controversy arose after a Reddit post from eight months ago resurfaced on TikTok, in which a user claimed to have found “black spots” and a “blue cheese” odor in the product. The brand has responded by pointing to its FAQ page, which states that it uses “safe, effective preservatives and antimicrobial stabilizers” to prevent mold, yeast, and pathogens. However, some TikTok users claim that their concealer developed odors and skin irritations before its Point After Opening (PAO) date.

According to cosmetic chemist Jane Tsui, the clean beauty movement is often confusing and lacks education about specific ingredients. While some synthetic ingredients have been linked to health effects, “natural” ingredients are not necessarily safer or non-toxic. Substitute preservatives in cosmetic products can still be harmful, irritating, or ineffective. In 2019, there was an increase in microbial contamination alerts in beauty products, which was reported by the Food and Drug Administration.

The controversy surrounding Kosas’ concealer highlights the need for greater transparency in the cosmetic industry. Consumers deserve to know what they’re putting on their skin and whether the claims made by brands are genuine. Brands should focus on educating consumers about specific ingredients instead of simply claiming to be “free-from” certain chemicals.

While the clean beauty movement may have good intentions, it’s crucial to be vigilant and informed about the products we use. Products that have a jar symbol, known as the PAO symbol, should be replaced after the specified time frame. Consumers should monitor their cosmetic products closely and replace them if they start to smell or cause new skin irritations, especially products that come in direct contact with the skin. In light of the recent controversy surrounding the mold in Kosas’ concealer, it has become evident that there is a need for a simple and effective indicator that would accurately show the true condition of cosmetic products in real-time. This would help consumers make informed decisions about the products they use, and provide greater transparency and accountability in the cosmetic industry.

Currently, cosmetic packaging includes the PAO symbol, which informs consumers of the product’s useful lifetime after they open it. However, this symbol only gives a rough estimate and does not reflect the true condition of the product at any given time. This can lead to consumers using expired or contaminated products, which can cause skin irritations and other health problems.

An effective real-time indicator would solve this problem by providing consumers with accurate information about the true condition of their cosmetic products. This indicator could take the form of a simple color-changing label, similar to the ones used in food packaging, that would change color when the product is no longer safe to use. This would be an inexpensive solution that would not require any special equipment or training to use.

The entire cosmetic industry would benefit from such an indicator. Brands would be held accountable for the quality of their products, and consumers would have greater confidence in the products they use. This would also help to reduce waste by reducing the amount of expired or contaminated products that are discarded.

The need for a simple, inexpensive, and effective real-time indicator for cosmetic products cannot be overstated. This indicator would provide greater transparency and accountability in the cosmetic industry, and help consumers make informed decisions about the products they use. The entire industry should work together to develop and implement such an indicator, and ensure that the products they offer are safe and of high quality.