Harmful Content Tests in Cosmetics

Chemicals and contaminants linked to cancer can be found in food, water and many other everyday products. But no category of consumer products is more subject to government regulation than cosmetics and other personal care products. Although many chemicals and contaminants in cosmetics and personal care products likely pose little risk, exposure to some can cause serious health problems, including cancer.

Companies that produce cosmetics unfortunately use chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm in many products. Efforts are being made to ban many of these chemicals in cosmetic products. Toxic chemicals that should be banned include: formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, methylene glycol, mercury, phthalates and parabens.

All of these toxic chemicals are banned by the European Union and many other countries. In addition, the use of formaldehyde, many chemicals that release formaldehyde, many parabens and phthalates continues to be banned.

Consumers use a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products. Few consumer products cause as much chemical exposure as cosmetics and other personal care products. American women use an average of 170 personal care products each day that contain approximately 12 different chemicals. American men use an average of 85 personal care products containing 6 different chemicals. Most of these products are applied directly to the skin, the body's largest organ, where ingredients can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Yet cosmetic use continues to increase dramatically.

Most chemicals in cosmetics pose little to no risk, but some cause serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and neurological harm, and developmental delays. Cosmetic chemicals enter the body through the skin, inhalation, ingestion and internal use and pose the same risks as food chemicals. In addition to the risks posed by intentionally added ingredients, cosmetics may be contaminated with heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel. Research shows that endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as parabens and phthalates pose the greatest risk during prenatal and early postnatal development, when organ and nervous systems are formed. Studies have also shown that endocrine disruptors can harm the immune system.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to investigate cosmetic products that are contaminated with bacteria, including shower gel, face powder, eye shadows, and lotions, or that contain banned coloring chemicals, including shampoos, soaps, cleansers, and temporary tattoos.

In short, although most cosmetic products are safe, some commonly used materials can be harmful to both the body and the environment. Some chemicals found in makeup and other cosmetic products contain ingredients that have been linked to serious health problems such as cancer, endocrine disorders that affect hormone production in the body, developmental delays and neurological problems. For example, phthalates are present in the fragrance of many cleaning and cosmetic products, as well as some nail polish and hair sprays. Phthalates can disrupt the balance of hormones, especially hormones that work alone. Additionally, cosmetic eye products may contain high levels of lead, a heavy metal that is harmful to the body. Parabens are used as preservatives in many cosmetic products. Cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, shower gels, nail polishes and hair straightening products contain formaldehyde and chemicals that release formaldehyde over a period of time. Toluene is found in some nail treatments and nail polishes. Toluene is a solvent that can be toxic to the brain, nervous system, and developing fetus.

People are trying to avoid exposure to potentially harmful chemicals by reducing their use or switching to safer, non-toxic alternatives.

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