Over
the years the cosmetics
industry has grown into an extremely lucrative business. Each year
hundreds of new cosmetics are put into commerce promising to improve
one's physical appearance. However many cosmetics contain ingredients
that do more than just enhance one's beauty. Numerous cosmetics
currently out on the market have been found to contain chemicals that
can be toxic to human health and development. (Back to
Top)
Chemicals Of Concern
Chemical
|
Description
|
Where
it is Found
|
Link
|
Lead
|
Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can
have significant impact on areas of human development such as learning,
language, reduced IQ and behavioral problems
|
Lead is most commonly found in
cosmetics such as lip stick, some mascaras and eye shadows.
|
http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=225
|
Phthalates
|
Phthalates have been identified as a
known endocrine disruptor causing problems such as sterility,
reduced perm count, malformations of the genitals along with other
adverse health effects.
|
Phthalates
are found in anything with fragrance such as perfume or lotion. They
are also found in products such as nail polish.
|
http://safecosmetics.org/articles.php?id=290
|
Formaldehyde
|
Formaldehyde
has been identified as a known animal carcinogen and a suspected human
carcinogen. It also causes irritation of the nose, throat , eyes and
skin
|
Formaldehyde is most commonly found
in cosmetics and bath products as a contaminant. When preservative used
to prevent bacterial growth break down over time, formaldehyde is
released.
|
http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=221
|
(Back
to Top)
How Do These Chemicals Get Into Cosmetics?
There are numerous routes that toxic
chemicals such as Lead make their way into cosmetic products.
Lead
Lead makes its way into cosmetic via
two routes:
1. Raw materials used in
production of cosmetics
2. Pigmentation used to tint the cosmetic the desired color
Phthalates
Phthalates are added to plastics to make them more soft and pliable,
they are used in products that contain fragrance to help the fragrance
last longer when used. They are also added to products such as nail
polish as an adhesive agent to help the product stick to the nails.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is commonly found in water-based personal care products
and cosmetics as a contaminate. Formaldehyde contamination results when
preservatives such as Quaternium - 15 break down over time. The
preservatives are commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria.
(Back to Top)
Consumer Safety
The best way to ensure that you are getting a product that is safe and
does not contain toxic chemicals is to research and read the labels of
the products. There are a number of sources that provide information on
cosmetics , the chemicals they contain and the effects these chemical
can have on the body. Many of these sources also provide listings of
safe and mild cosmetics as well as ranking cosmetics in terms of the
hazard they may pose. Below are the most reliable sources for consumer
safety and cosmetics.
(Back to Top)
Campaign for Safer Cosmetics
http://safercosmetics.org/index.php
Skin Deep: Cosmetics Database
http://www.cosmeticsdatabases.com/
For more
information/References:
Campaign for Safer Cosmetics
http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?list=type&type=33
Campaign for Safer Cosmetics: Lead
http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?list=type&type=33
Skin Deep: Cosmetics Database
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
Campaign for Safer Cosmetics : Phthalates
http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=290
Phthalates
http://www.phthalates.com/index.asp?page=4
Formaldehyde :EWG
.http://www.ewg.org/node/21286
(Back to Top)
About
Me/Contact the Me
Last Updated: May 2010
© Copyright 2010, Mallory Hillard, University
of Massachusetts Lowell - Lowell, MA
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