Pink Ribbons Aren’t Always What They Seem - How to Spot Pinkwashing
October always brings a sea of pink - from food packaging to makeup and skincare - all in the name of breast cancer awareness.
But not all pink ribbon products are as safe as they seem.
What Is Pinkwashing?
As a breast cancer survivor, I appreciate the intention behind these campaigns because awareness matters. But over the years, I’ve learned to look a little closer.
Pinkwashing happens when companies use pink ribbons to market products while still selling items with harmful or questionable ingredients. Some products meant to “support breast cancer” may actually contain chemicals linked to hormone disruption and cancer.
Ingredients to Watch For
For example, many pink ribbon products on the market contain:
🚫 Fragrance
🚫 BHT
🚫 Petrolatum
🚫 Parabens
These ingredients have been linked to hormone disruption and, in some cases, cancer. So it’s troubling to see them in products promoted as part of a campaign for a disease they may actually contribute to.
How to Shop Smarter
Awareness is important, but so is making informed choices. Here’s how you can avoid pinkwashing:
✅ Read labels carefully – know what’s inside your products.
✅ Support transparent brands – companies committed to real health, not just marketing. (My favorites: Counter & Crunchi.)
✅ Donate directly to impact-driven organizations – like Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Metavivor, or a local nonprofit.
Bottom Line
Awareness is just the first step. By choosing safer products and supporting organizations that drive real change, we can make October and every month - more about prevention and cures, instead of just pink packaging.
