Rufus R. Noble Many of the cosmetics, soaps, deodorants, and hair products we use on our bodies contain potentially harmful chemicals.
In the right context, it’s just as possible to find unsafe chemicals in food and beverages and even prescribed medications as in personal care products. All these small doses add up.
Even experts are not always in agreement on how much exposure is too much. However, researchers recommend choosing products that do not increase your overall exposure. It is particularly important to do this during pregnancy, early childhood, and puberty.
It’s not necessary to change your whole skincare routine in one day. It’s like eating better: Take stock now and then of what you put on or in your body. Replace some of your current products with healthier alternatives.
Below, I will highlight some chemicals that you should look out for. In my next post, I will outline a systematic but simple process for updating your daily routine.
In the United States, the bar for regulating chemical substances is high. To put things in perspective, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which governs cosmetics and drugs in the US, has banned around a dozen ingredients due to safety concerns. Canada, Japan, and European Union countries, on the other hand, have banned hundreds of components.
Following are a few of the chemicals that have been frequently highlighted by researchers and advocacy organizations, as well as those named in recent state-level bans due to the increasing observational evidence.
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA).
BHA, which is commonly used in cosmetics that contain oils or fats (such as eyeliners, moisturizers, and lipsticks), has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by groups such as the US National Toxicology Program and the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
Diethanolamine
DEA belongs to a group of chemicals that are frequently used in shaving and shampoo creams. It reacts often with other preservatives found in personal care products, forming nitrosamines. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the US National Toxicology Program have identified these chemicals as “reasonably expected to be human carcinogens.”
Fragrance
The formulas for fragrances are considered to be trade secrets, so that companies can hide any number of chemical ingredients. According to the International Fragrance Association, there are over 3,600 chemicals in fragrance mixtures used around the globe, including BHA, benzophenone, and phthalates. Toxicologists and researchers on environmental exposure agree that these chemicals should be avoided. Other ingredients may cause nasal irritation, asthma, and skin allergies. Some fragrance chemicals may also disrupt normal hormone functions, according to studies.
Isobutane
Components of crude oil and natural gas that are widely used in aerosol sprays, such as many deodorants, sunscreens, and dry shampoos, were recently recalled. Isobutane doesn’t normally cause concern but is often contaminated with benzene. This carcinogen can also be found in crude oils.
Parabens
The compounds with “paraben” as part of their names, like propylparaben or methylparaben, are used to preserve water-based products. Face washes, as well as toothpaste, shampoos, conditioners, and other cosmetics contain low concentrations. Exposure to this chemical has been associated with an increase in breast cancer among women and disruption of the reproductive system in men.
Talc
Johnson & Johnson has pledged to cease selling its talc-based baby powder worldwide by the end of this year after thousands of lawsuits alleging that it caused cancer. Other companies still use it in eye shadows and powders, as well as deodorants, blotting papers, and powder formulas. Since the 1960s, research has shown that talc, especially in the pelvic region, can cause cancer. It could be contaminated by asbestos, which is a carcinogen known to occur near talc mining sites.
Triclosan triclocarban
Antimicrobial agents used to be found in body washes, hand soaps, toothpaste, deodorants, and other personal care items. The FDA banned triclosan and triclocarban in soaps because the FDA believed that their safety was unclear over the long term. Evidence suggests that the use of antimicrobials in soaps can lead to resistance.
