This document summarizes potential toxic effects from ingredients commonly found in decorative cosmetics such as fragrances, heavy metals, parabens, and other chemicals. Fragrances like linalool and limonene can cause allergic reactions when oxidized. Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury may be present as impurities in pigments. Parabens are widely used preservatives that are absorbed through the skin and linked to health issues. Many ingredients in eye makeup, lipstick, nail polish and other cosmetics can cause issues like dermatitis, dry eye, reproductive toxicity and some are known carcinogens. Alternatives include using natural cosmetics and removing makeup before sleeping.

1. Possible toxic effects of
decorative cosmetics
Domina Petric, MD

2. Fragrances
Fragrance chemicals are the
most frequent sensitizer toward
skin in cosmetics product.

3. Linalool and limonene in fragrances
• Pure linalool is not allergenic or a very weak allergen, but autoxidizes on
air exposure and the oxidation products can cause contact allergy.
• Limonene is one of the most inexpensive fragrance materials.
• Limonene forms allergenic oxidation products during handling and
storage.
• The sensitizing potential of limonene increases with prolonged air
contact at room temperature: it is oxidized to allergenic derivatives.

4. Heavy metals impurities
• Press powder for eye shadow main ingredients are talc with
pigments and zinc or magnesium stearate used as a binder.
• A metallic brilliant finish is created by copper, aluminium,
brass, gold or silver powders.
• Heavy metals such as cadmium, copper and lead can be
retained as impurities in the pigments of eye shadows.

5. The most common heavy metals detected in
cosmetic products are:
• lead (Pb)
• cadmium (Cd)
• mercury (Hg)
• chromium (Cr)
• nickel (Ni)
• copper (Cu)
Heavy metals can be found in:
• shampoo
• lipstick
• cream
• eye shadow
• powder

6. Health effects
Fragrances and preservatives are the two most clinically
relevant allergens found in cosmetic products: contact allergy.
Fragrances account for 30–45% of allergic reactions to
cosmetics.

7. Health effects

8. Contact allergic dermatitis
http://noskinproblems.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/eyelid-dermatitis-pictures.jpg

9. Parabens
The average daily total personal paraben exposure is
estimated to be 76 mg:
•cosmetics and personal care products: 50 mg
•pharmaceutical products: 25 mg
•food: 1 mg

10. Parabens
• Parabens applied to the skin are metabolized by keratinocyte
carboxylesterases and the conjugated metabolites are excreted in
urine and bile.
• Oral or intravenous parabens are metabolized by esterases within the
intestine and liver.
• Parabens have been detected in urine, serum, breast milk and
seminal fluid.
• Detection of parabens in breast tissue from patients with breast
cancer can be associated with application of deodorants.

11. Parabens
• Parabens bind human estrogen receptors with affinities 10000 to
1000000 times less than estradiol.
• The estrogenic activity of parabens may promote breast cancer
development.
• In men, fertility problems including low sperm count and decreased
motility might be associated with parabens.

12. Eye make up
side effects

13. False eyelashes side effects:
• traction alopecia (loss of eyelashes)
• allergic reactions
• infection (conjunctivitis, infection of eyelid)
• dry eye (more dust and air hits the eye with false
eyelashes)

14. Toxic chemicals in eye makeup
...

15. Carbon black
Carbon black is a powder found in
eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow and
eyebrow shadow. It has been linked to
cancer and organ system toxicity.

16. Ethanolamine compounds

17. Benzalkonium chloride (BAK)
• It is a preservative found in eyeliner, mascara and makeup
remover.
• BAK is toxic to the epithelial cells of the eyes.
• Epithelial cells keep dust, water and bacteria out of the eye
and provide a smooth surface on the cornea to absorb and
distribute oxygen and cell nutrients from tears to the rest of
the cornea.

18. Prime yellow carnauba wax
It is used in mascara and eyeliners to stiffen the
product and make them waterproof.
Prime yellow carnauba wax clogs the oil glands
in the eyes and can lead to dry eye disease.

19. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing
preservatives

20. Parabens
• Parabens are preservatives that are used to prevent the growth of bacteria in
makeup products.
• Parabens are absorbed through the skin and easily transmitted into the
bloodstream.
• They are endocrine disruptors and are linked to reproductive toxicity, early
puberty and breast cancer.
• Parabens can also make dry eye worse since they prohibit the oil glands that
line the eyelid from secreting enough oil (O’Dell).

21. Aluminum powder

22. Retinyl acetate or retinyl palmitate
• Two forms of vitamin A, can cause dry eye disease.
• They have been linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity.
• They are also found in anti-aging face creams and eye creams.
• There are well-documented studies that show that retinyl
acetate and palmitate will kill the oil glands and once they are
gone, you can’t rebuild them (O’Dell).

23. Heavy metals
• Nickel and chrome are two heavy metals found in all types of makeup,
especially in green or metallic shadows, as well as makeup brushes, even
the expensive types (O’Dell).
• Heavy metals are neurotoxins that have been linked to brain damage.
• Nickel in particular has been associated with lung cancer and respiratory
concerns.
• 17% of women have a nickel allergy, which can cause dry, itchy eyelids, a
red skin rash and watery blisters.

24. Titanium dioxide
Typically found in sunscreen.
Titanium dioxide is safe but when it is in powder form,
it can be problematic and is also a possible carcinogen.

25. Lipsticks
side effects

26. Lead
• Lead is the commonly found harmful content in lipsticks.
• It mainly affects the nervous system and harms the hormonal
system.
• Lipsticks are known to cause allergy and irritation over the lips
and the surrounding skin.
• Other harmful effects include blockage of pores, drying and
chapping of lips.

27. Lipstick pigments
Lipstick pigments contain harsh chemicals
that irritate the skin and lead to blackening
of lips or they cause leucoderma due to
melanocyte destruction.

28. Leukoderma
https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-f80d8c4e47ba135c60faf59cbccc3282-c

29. Other toxic elements in lipstick
• Toxic heavy metals: lead, cadmium, mercury and antimony.
• Lipsticks may contain formaldehyde (known carcinogen),
mineral oil substances (block pores) and parabens
(carcinogens).
• Lipstick manufacturers are also using harmful petrochemicals
to produce such lip formulas.

30. Nail lacquers
side effects

31. Toxic trio
• Toluene is a commonly used solvent that creates a smooth finish across
the nail and keeps the pigment from separating in the bottle.
• It can affect the central nervous system and cause reproductive harm.
• Formaldehyde (carcinogen) is used as a nail-hardening agent and
disinfectant for nail care tools.
• Exposure to dibutyl phthalate (added to polishes to provide flexibility)
has been linked to reproductive problems.

32. Healthy tips
• use of decorative cosmetics moderately (not every day if possible)
• removal of the makeup (especially before night)
• natural cosmetics (not perfect, but better)
• avoid waterproof cosmetics for everyday makeup (only for special
occasions)
• nurish skin every day

33. Literature
• Siti Zulaikha R., Sharifah Norkhadijah S. I., Praveena S. M.
Hazardous Ingredients in Cosmetics and Personal Care
Products and Health Concern: A Review, Public Health
Research, 2015.
• http://noskinproblems.com
• www.medscape.com
• Chelseasmakeup
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk

34. Literature
•http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/04/2
5/10-toxic-chemicals-to-avoid-in-eye-
makeup.html
•http://www.thehealthsite.com/beauty/how
-are-lipsticks-harming-us-pr0215
•https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net