This document discusses the potential health hazards of many common ingredients found in personal care products. It notes that the skin absorbs 60% of what is applied to it, yet many products contain chemicals linked to health risks like allergies, cancer, hormone disruption and organ toxicity. Current regulations do not require companies to test products for safety before marketing. It calls on consumers to be informed by reading labels and researching ingredients, providing a table listing several common ingredients found in various products and their associated health risks.
3. THE HAZARDS OF HEALTH & BEAUTY PRODUCTS
dermatitis (54).
May cause chronic health effects if used
repeatedly, including reproductive and fetal effects
(55), and kidney damage (56).
Formaldehyde
● Diazolidinyl urea
● Imidazolidinyl urea
● Dimethyldimethyl hydantoin
● Quaternium15
● Bronopol
(2bromo2nitropropane 1,
3diol)
Released by commonly used preservatives.
(57, 58, 59).
Carcinogenic
Propylene Glycol Used in lotions and moisturizers to retain
moisture in the skin. Also used as a wetting
agent and solvent to dissolve and combine
ingredients in personal care products, like
deodorant.
Also found in embalming and brake fluids (60,
61).
Propylene Glycol has been given the FDAapproved
GRAS symbol for topical application (62), but is
known to cause skin irritation, allergies, and
contact dermatitis (63, 64, 65). Acts as a defatting
agent (66).
Measurably toxic to human cells (67).
Toluene Solvent found in nail polishes and nail
treatment products.
Its derivatives are sometimes found in hair
colorings and dyes.
VOC (volatile organic compound) that can cause
acute and chronic health effects.
Severe irritation of eyes, skin, and lungs (68). Can
cause central nervous damage, kidney and liver
damage, developmental effects, birth defects, and
brain damage (69, 70, 71, 72).
Talc Superfine powder used to keep cosmetic
products from slipping; known for its
absorbency, anticaking, and bulking
properties.
Talc is commonly contaminated with asbestos (73),
and is known to be a carcinogen in its own right
(74, 75).
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