4. In personal care products, formaldehyde can be added directly, or more often, it can
be released from preservatives such as:
Formaldehyde
These preservatives release small amounts of formaldehyde
overtime. Longer storage time and higher temperature
increase the amount of formaldehyde.
Quaternium-15
DMDM
hydantoin
Polyoxy-
methylene
urea
Bromopol Glyoxal
6. In2015, Formaldehyde, bytheAmerican
contactdermatitis society considered as
“contact allergen of the year”
Formaldehyde is bannedfromuseincosmetics inJapanandSweden.
The European Unionallows the use of quaternium15up to 0.2% aspreservatives
in cosmetics products.
Regulations
7. • Choosing the personal care products that are labelled as
formaldehyde free.
• Avoiding the use of expired and stored cosmetic products in the
sun because this can cause more formaldehyde release.
How to Avoid?
8. • Ethoxylation is the process of reacting ethylene oxide with other chemicals to
make them less harsh.
• Ethoxylation can create small amounts of 1,4-dioxane and leave residual ethylene
oxide in the product.
• This process is extensively used in the skin care industry.
Ethoxylated Ingredients
11. Side Effects
Short-term exposure
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Irritation of the eyes & nose
Long-term exposure
• Dermatitis
• Liver and kidney damage
• Cancer
• Reproductive toxicity
12. Ethoxylated Ingredients are prohibited for use in cosmetics products in Canada.
The European Union has also prohibited use of ethylene oxide in cosmetic products.
Regulations
13. • Choosing products that are free from these ingredients.
• Alternative processes of ethoxylation can be used.
• Vacuum stripping can remove contaminants from an ethoxylated
product.
How to Avoid?