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Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Some of the ingredients in
cosmetics and personal care products are toxic chemicals that may be hazardous
to your health.
Take a look at some of the
ingredients to watch for and the health concerns raised by these chemicals.
Antibacterials
Antibacterials (e.g., Triclosan) are found
in many products, such as hand soaps, deodorants, tooth paste, and body washes.
Health
Hazards: Some antibacterial agents are absorbed through the skin.
Triclosan
has been shown to be secreted in breast milk.
These
chemicals may be toxic or carcinogenic.
One
study has found antibacterials may interfere with the functioning of
testosterone in cells.
Antibacterials
can kill the 'good' protective bacteria as well as pathogens, actually
increasing susceptibility to infection.
The
products may increase the rate of development of resistant strains of bacteria.
Butyl Acetate
Butyl acetate is
found in nail strengtheners and nail polishes.
Health
Hazards: Butyl acetate vapors may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
Continued
use of a product containing butyl acetate may cause the skin to crack and
become dry.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Butylated
hydroxytoluene is found in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products.
It
is an antioxidant which helps slow the rate at which a product changes color
over time.
Health
Hazards: Butylated hydroxytoluene may cause skin and eye irritation.
Coal Tar
Coal tar is used to
control itching and scaling, to soften skin, and as a colorant.
Health
Hazards: Coal tar is a human carcinogen.
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Diethanolamine is a
contaminant associated with cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA, which are used as emulsifiers
and foaming agents in products such as shampoos, shaving creams, moisturizers,
and baby washes.
Health Hazards: DEA can be absorbed into the body through the skin.
Health Hazards: DEA can be absorbed into the body through the skin.
It
can act as a carcinogen and can be converted to nitrosamine, which is also carcinogenic.
DEA
is a hormone disruptor and robs the body of choline needed for fetal brain
development.
1,4-Dioxane
This is a
contaminant that may be associated with sodium laureth sulfate, PEG, and most
ethoxylated ingredients with names ending in -eth.
These
ingredients are found in many products, most notably shampoos and body washes.
1,4
dioxane is known to cause cancer in animals and has a high probability of
carcinogenicity in humans.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is
used as a disinfectant and preservative in a variety of products, such as nail
polish, soap, deodorant, shaving cream, eyelash adhesive, and shampoo.
Even
when it isn't listed as an ingredient, it can result from the breakdown of
other ingredients, most notably Diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and
quaternium compounds.
Health
Hazards: The European Union has banned the use of formaldehyde in cosmetics
and personal care products.
It
is associated with multiple health concerns, such as respiratory tract and eye
irritation, cancer, immune system damage, genetic damage, and triggering
asthma.
Fragrance
The catch-all name
"fragrance" may be used to indicate any of a number of chemicals in a
personal care product.
Health
Hazards: Many fragrances are toxic.
Some
of these fragrances may be phthalates, which can act as obesogens (cause
obesity) and may otherwise disrupt normal endocrine function, including
reproductive health.
Phthalates
may cause developmental defects and delays.
Lead
Lead typically
occurs as a contaminant, such as in hydrated silica, an ingredient in
toothpaste.
Lead
acetate is added as an ingredient in some lipsticks and men's hair dye.
Health
Hazards: Lead is a neurotoxin. It can cause brain damage and developmental
delays even at extremely low concentrations.
Mercury
The FDA permits the
use of mercury compounds in eye makeup at concentrations up to 65 parts per
million.
The
preservative thimerosal, found in some mascaras, is a mercury-containing
product.
.
Health Hazards: Mercury is associated with a host of health concerns including allergic reactions, skin irritation, toxicity, neurological damage, bioaccumulation, and environmental damage.
.
Health Hazards: Mercury is associated with a host of health concerns including allergic reactions, skin irritation, toxicity, neurological damage, bioaccumulation, and environmental damage.
Mercury
readily passes into the body through the skin, so normal use of the product
results in exposure.
Talc
Talc is used to
absorb moisture and provide a hint of sparkle.
It
is found in eye shadow, blush, baby powder, deodorant, and soap.
Talc
is known to act as a human carcinogen and has been directly linked to ovarian
cancer.
Talc
can act similarly to asbestos when inhaled and may lead to the formation of
lung tumors.
Toluene
Toluene is found in
nail polish and hair dye as a solvent, to improve adhesion, and to add
gloss.
Health
Hazard: Toluene is toxic. It is associated with reproductive and developmental
damage.
Toluene
may be carcinogenic. In addition to decreasing fertility, toluene may cause
liver and kidney damage.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. is
an author and consultant with a broad scientific and medical background.
Experience
Anne has
taught chemistry, biology, and physics at the high school, college, and
graduate level. In her doctoral work, Anne developed ultra-sensitive chemical
detection and medical diagnostic tests. She has worked abstracting/indexing
diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy. She presently works
as a freelance writer and scientific consultant. She enjoys adapting lab-based
science projects so that they can be performed safely at home.
Education
Dr.
Helmenstine has bachelor of arts degrees in physics and mathematics with a
minor in chemistry from Hastings College in Nebraska and a doctorate of
philosophy in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at
Knoxville.
Chemistry is part of everyone's life, from cooking and
cleaning to the latest computer chip technology and vaccine development. It
doesn't have to be intimidating and it doesn't have to be hard to understand.
You can
read more about Anne's current and past work on her Google Profile: Anne Helmenstine. Find
Anne's printable periodic tables and science projects at Science Notes.
https://www.thoughtco.com/toxic-chemicals-in-cosmetics-607729
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This is the chemical structure of the antibacterial and antifungal agent triclosan.
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