Toxic Beauty

Director Phyllis Ellis
Year 2019
Run Time 90min
Genre Documentary

Beauty products are a multi-billion-dollar industry. Despite public attention, companies continue to get away with harmful practices that leave the average consumer wondering which brand can be trusted. 

Toxic Beauty's case in point is the landmark class action lawsuit brought by female cancer survivors against Johnson & Johnson, in the face of the company's insistence that their baby powder products are safe. In exclusive interviews with scientists, whistleblowers and lawyers, the film reveals the ongoing lack of government regulation of cosmetics. 

To personalize the effects, the film enlists Mymy Nguyen, a young medical student whose morning beauty routine includes more than 27 mainstream products. Her body is tested, then tested again after replacing her products with cleaner alternatives. The results are shocking, suggesting that the greatest chemical disaster may be happening inside our own bodies.

Director

Phyllis Ellis

Writers

Phyllis Ellis, Sarah Jay

Genre

Documentary

Interests

Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Social Justice & Politics

Original Language

English

Canadian Distributor

Eggplant Picture & Sound