Toxins in Cosmetics

Toxins in Cosmetics What Consumers and Government can do to get Safer Cosmetic Products on the Market Tag Words: Toxins in Cosmetics, Toxic Substances Control Act, TSCA, Alternative Cosmetic Products, Alternatives to Toxic Ingredients, Cosmetics, Human and Animal Testing, Harmful Ingredients, Organic Cosmetics, GRAS, Generally Regarded As Safe, Think Dirty, GoodGuide Authors: Angielly Dominguez and Julie M. Fagan, Ph.D. Summary: Many cosmetics on the market today contain potentially harmful ingredients. Some companies knowingly include chemicals that have been shown to be toxic at high enough levels (like lead in lipstick and certain eyeliners). The safety of many other ingredients is actually not known because they were in use and already on the market before the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was put in place in 1976. In 2016, it is expected that the TSCA will be amended to require retesting these GRAS (“Generally Regarded As Safe” because they are in use) chemicals and the cosmetic manufacturers will need to reformulate their products to not contain these harmful ingredients. In the meantime, consumers should utilize available apps like “Think Dirty” or “GoodGuide” to determine whether the product contains toxins, provide feedback to the cosmetic companies directly, and opt to purchase ones considered safer. Video Link: https://youtu.be/D7HTMHEXCBI The Issue: Toxins in Cosmetic Products For some, cosmetics play an important role in everyday life. It is not infrequent that a women may express the feeling of feeling “naked” without applying face makeup or needing to apply makeup prior to their leaving their residence. Young and old of both sexes commonly use cosmetics for special occasions like Halloween, fans during sporting events and weddings, where people “dress up”. Cosmetics contain ingredients, some of which are known toxins that may negatively affect human health. Although people are becoming more health conscious with respect to the foods they consume, they generally don’t think twice about the products applied topically. If people knew they were applying heavy metals like lead or arsenic and that these were being absorbed into their body, surely they would consider purchasing cosmetic products without these harmful ingredients. What are cosmetics? Cosmetics allow people to enhance their appearance by applying products on their face, hair, and body. Cosmetics include products like body cleansers, lotions, hair dyes, toothpastes, deodorants, perfumes, and eye and face makeup (1). However, the definition of a cosmetic product differs depending on the country. In the United States, a cosmetic is defined as an “article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled...or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance”. The European Union, EU, defines cosmetics as “any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with various external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips, and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance and/or correcting body odours and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition”. EU’s definition includes both the concept that cosmetics are agents that clean, perfume or change appearance and that cosmetics serve to protect or keep in good condition various parts of the body. The US, on the other hand, makes a distinction between products that are purely cosmetics, that when applied, act to improve appearance and those that act as drugs; cosmetics that serve to mitigate, treat, or prevent disease and that intend to affect the structure or any function of the body (2). So certain products can be both a cosmetic and a drug and must comply with regulatory requirements for both cosmetics and drugs. What are the main toxins found in cosmetics and what purpose do they serve? Below is a list of some common ingredients found in cosmetics, most of which are considered to be toxic depending on the amount absorbed and the person’s short and long term exposure to them. 1. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) BHA and BHT are preservatives found in lipsticks and moisturizers. They are also closely related to synthetic antioxidants and can cause an allergic reaction to the skin. According to the European Commission, BHA is an endocrine disruptor because it interferes hormone function. 2. Coal Tar Dyes The darker a hair dye product, the more of the coal-tar derived product it contains. Coal tar- derived colors are listed as either “FD&C Blue No.1” or “Blue 1”. They are derived from petroleum, but may also be contaminated with heavy metals. These dyes are recognized as a human carcinogen. 3. DEA, cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA Diethanolamine related ingredients are typically found in soaps, shampoos, and cleansers. They are used in cosmetics to create creamy products, but is mainly used as a pH balancer to relieve acidity from other ingredients. Because of its ability to linger in the human body, the European Union classifies DEA-related ingredients as a threat to human health from prolonged exposure to the chemicals. 4. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) DBP, is used mainly in nail products as a solvent for dyes and also to prevent nail polishes from becoming brittle. According to the European Union, it is a suspect for endocrine disruption, meaning that it may interfere with hormone function and also as a suspect for reproduction disruption with regards to posing a threat to fertility and unborn children. Evidence from Health Canada shows that exposure may cause liver and kidney failure in children that have put DBP- containing products in their mouth. 5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quaternium-15, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate It is mainly used as a preservative for cosmetics. The chemicals listed above are known to release small amounts of formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is typically found in industrial applications such as vinyl flooring and other plastics, permanent-press fabric, toilet bowl cleaners, and the production of resins in wood products. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen. It can cause skin and eye irritation and trigger an allergic reaction, even in small doses. 6. Paraben, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, and Propylparaben About 75% to 90% of cosmetics contain parabens and have the ability to penetrate the skin. They are suspected of interfering with hormone function. Cosmetic companies synthetically derive parabens from petrochemicals. Parabens are also found in some foods like strawberries, barley, carrots, onions, and more. However, when eaten, parabens are metabolized (where it does not mimic estrogen, for example) whereas, when absorbed into the body through the skin, parabens enter the bloodstream and then have the ability to affect organs. 7. Parfum (Fragrance) The term “fragrance” in a cosmetic product represents a mixture of potentially 3000 individual chemicals. Products that may be marketed as “fragrance-free” or “unscented” may still contain fragrance ingredients that prevent the brain from recognizing any odors. Fragrance is also used for products like laundry detergent, softeners, and cleaning products. Fragrance ingredients can cause an allergic reaction, migraine, and asthma. 8. Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) PEGs (ethoxylated compounds), a petroleum-based compound, is found in cosmetics as a thickener, softener, moisture-carrier, and used as a solvent. PEGs may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxirane, another chemical that is classified as a possible human carcinogen by IARC. PEGs pose a threat to human health because there is evidence that shows that PEGs may alter genetics (or cause genotoxicity), can irritate the skin, and is toxic. 9. Petrolatum This is used to hold moisture in the skin and is also used to make hair shine. It is classified as a human carcinogen by the EU and has restricted use. Petroleum is known to be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic carbons (PAHs), which is known to cause skin irritation and allergies. 10 Siloxanes: Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), cyclopentasiloxane (D5), cyclohexasiloxane (D6), and cyclomethicone They are used in cosmetics that aim to moisturize and smooth the skin mainly found in moisturizers and facial treatments. A study by the group Environment Canada concluded that D4 and D5 are toxic and persistent (meaning that they remain in the body for a long period of time). The EU says D4 is known to interfere with human hormone function and is listed as a suspect of reproductive toxicant. In addition, D5 can influence neurotransmitters in the nervous system. 11. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) SLES is used to make products, like shampoo, bubble and foam; also found in household cleaning products. Also an “ethoxylated” ingredient, like PEGS, can also be contaminated with 1,4-dioxirane. 12. Lead A study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, found lead in more than half of the 33 brands tested. Lead is commonly found in lipsticks, a product that could easily and mistakenly be ingested by consumers. The lead is typically a contaminant of the raw resources used to create the cosmetic product. There is no “safe” amount of lead. It’s known to cause neurodevelopmental problems in children and has also been linked to infertility and miscarriages (3, 4). What are some heavy metals found in cosmetics? Heavy metals are found in a variety of personal care products including lipsticks, whitening toothpaste, eyeliner, nail polish, foundation, sunscreen, eye shadow, blush, concealer, moisturizer, and eye drops. Some of the heavy metals, like lead or aluminum for instance, are either added as ingredients or are found as contaminant byproducts . Exposure has been linked to health concerns like reproductive, immune, and nervous system toxicity. Examples of the intentionally added metals come up as lead acetate, chromium, thimerosal, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, sodium hexametaphosphate.

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