International News: A UK-based feminist organisation, Level Up is calling on L’Oréal to pull its chemical hair relaxers from shelves after a key ingredient was linked to a higher risk of cancer, according to a report published by The Guardian. The products, which are mostly used by those with Afro-textured hair, commonly contain lye, which was linked to an increased likelihood of developing cancer in a 2022 study conducted by the US National Institute of Health.

L’Oréal is currently battling some 60 lawsuits in the US over this issue but continues to defend the safety of its products. “L’Oréal upholds the highest standards of safety for all its products,” a spokesperson for the French beauty giant told The Guardian. “Our products are subject to a rigorous scientific evaluation of their safety by experts who also ensure that we follow strictly all regulations in every market in which we operate.

Ikamara Larasi, a campaigner at Level Up, told The Guardian, “We should all be able to trust that the products we use on our bodies are safe. As one of the biggest brands in the world, we’re calling on L’Oréal to use their resources and power responsibly and listen to Black women.”