13 Cosmetic Chemicals To Avoid
Many chemicals are involved in the manufacturing process of almost all cosmetic products, such as shaving cream, nail polish remover, foundation, lipstick, lotion, body wash, eyeshadow, exfoliators, etc.
Our everyday products contain several complex combinations of active ingredients and preservatives. Sadly, some cosmetic industrial chemicals have potential health risks and harm wildlife after environmental exposure. In this article, we are exploring 13 toxic chemicals used in the cosmetic industry.
13 Toxic Chemicals to Avoid in Cosmetic Products and Why
Be cautious of the following chemicals in your cosmetic products:
1. Acrylates
Acrylates are chemical agents: ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and methyl methacrylate are from acrylic and methacrylic acids. Manufacturers use them in adhesives for artificial eyelashes and nails because of their antistatic and binding abilities. Acrylates also act as emulsion stabilizers, viscosity-increasing, skin-conditioning, and film-forming agents.
Acrylates are used in nail products like polish, builders, and adhesives. They are also used in eyelash adhesives, hair fixatives, shampoo, facial cleansers, lipstick, styling gel, eyeliner, and mascara.
Manufacturers list this ingredient on cosmetic products in various ways, e.g., EA, ethyl methacrylate, ethyl ester, methacrylic acid, ethyl ester, ethyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate, ethyl acrylate, acrylic acid, ethyl ester, ethyl propenoate, and acrylic/acrylate(s) copolymer.
Avoid consumer products containing acrylates because the government discovered a link between ethyl, arylate, and methyl methacrylate and cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) and the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC) state that ethyl acrylate is a carcinogen.
The absorption of acrylates also irritates the eyes14, skin, and respiratory tract. Research on rats also showed that it causes neurological damage10. Higher dosages resulted in lethargy, breathing problems, and impaired motor activity.
Studies conducted on the people working directly with these chemicals showed they are more susceptible to nerve damage. Some workers claimed constant inhalation caused asthma9.
Related Read: Environmental Impact of Cosmetics & Beauty Products.
2. Parabens
Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in the cosmetics industry. Some of the commonly used parabens are butylparaben, isopropylparaben, methlyoaraben, isobutylparaben, ethyparaben, and propylparaben. They stop mold growth and harmful bacteria, increasing the shelf life of cosmetic products.
Parabens are used in personal care products such as shampoos, body lotions, conditioners, facial cleansers, scrubs, and other high-water-content products. Multiple applications of these products can penetrate the skin. Several studies have evidence of parabens in the human body.
A study showed traces of parabens in almost all the urine samples from adults in the United States. In contrast, another study showed that adolescents and adult females had higher levels of two paraben chemicals in their urine than their male counterparts7. These parabens were methylparaben and propylparaben.
Prolonged exposure to parabens often leads to skin irritation and disrupts hormones in the body. These cosmetic chemicals harm the reproductive system, cause birth defects, and increase the risk of cancer development.
3. Benzophenone and Derivatives
Benzophenone and its derivatives are next on our list of cosmetic chemicals to avoid. Manufacturers use benzophenone in personal care products to protect the products and the skin from UV rays. Its derivatives are benzophenone -1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -9, and -11.
Benzophenone -1 to -5 is a common ingredient in sunscreen, nail polish, shampoo, moisturizer, foundation, hair spray, and lip balm. While it protects cosmetic products from UV light and extends their shelf life, it can also harm human health.
Benzophenones are endocrine-disrupting chemicals4. They can disrupt the endocrine system by changing gene expression. The chemical compounds pass through the skin barrier and accumulate in the blood, liver, and kidneys.
Research shows that a variant of benzophenones, oxybenzone, is toxic to liver cells. Tests on rats show that it causes liver hypertrophy5. Further tests show that it disrupts reproduction in fish by reducing sperm and egg production. The chemical harms aquatic organisms because it settles in fat.
Benzophenone can be a skin irritant for people with sensitive skin, although there are low reports of skin irritation from benzophenone. Another reason to avoid personal care products with benzophenone derivatives is that they are possibly carcinogenic. They could also lead to several tumors in the body.
4. Carbon Black
Next on our list is carbon black, a dark black powder used as a dye pigment in skincare products like eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. The incomplete combustion of petroleum products like coal tar and ethylene cracking tar produces carbon black.
Avoid makeup consumer products with carbon black because they contain organic impurities like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)11. PAHs can increase the risks of cancer and the development of tumors on the skin, lungs, and bladder.
Manufacturers label carbon black as thermal black, channel black, carbon black, acetylene black, and furnace black. Because of prolonged exposure, people constantly working with the pigment are more prone to its harmful effects.
5. Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde-releasing preservative
Formaldehyde and its releasing preservatives are used in cosmetics and personal care products to help increase their shelf life. This colorless gas is mainly used by manufacturers in its dissolved form, formalin.
They also add other chemicals to release formaldehyde over a period of time. These ingredients are known as formaldehyde releasers. Formaldehyde and its releasers are in nail products like nail hardeners because they make the nails harder by bonding with the keratin.
These chemical compounds are preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products. They prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in storage and during use. Formaldehyde is also used in hair-smoothing products to straighten hair. Combining it with heat releases formaldehyde in its gaseous form, causing respiratory hazards to those who inhale it.
Additionally, the International Agency For Research On Cancer classified formaldehyde as a cancer-causing chemical.
Some examples of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are DMDM hydantoin, bronopol, glyoxal, quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, and diazolidinyl urea. Quaternium-15 is in blush, mascara, lotion, and shampoo, while DMDM hydantoin is in sunscreen, make-up remover, and cream.
Bromol is used in nail polish, body wash, makeup remover, and other products that help retain moisture, while glyoxal is used in nail polish and other nail treatment products. Formaldehyde is a skin sensitizer. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde releasers can trigger allergic reactions.
Results from a 2015 study show that 58 products out of 245 contain formaldehyde, and 26 of 126 leave-on products release formaldehyde3.
6. Phthalates
Phthalates are on our list of cosmetic chemicals to avoid in cosmetics and personal care products. Cosmetics and personal care products companies use phthalates as solvents and stabilizers in perfumes and other fragrance ingredients. Phthalates are also in shampoos, hair sprays, cleansers, face paint, and nail polishes.
There are many types of Phthalates, but the most common ones used in the cosmetics industry are dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP). Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) makes nail polish less brittle and reduces cracking, while diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a solvent and fixative ingredient in fragrances. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) is in hair spray to prevent stiffness and form a flexible film on the hair.
Phthalates are secreted in our bodies depending on how often we use products containing these chemicals and their concentration levels. A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2001 showed that adult women had elevated levels of phthalates in their urine.
Phthalates have potential health risks in animals. Scientific evidence shows that they can also disrupt the reproductive system. They are even present in baby products and breast milk6, which affects children's development.
7. Homosalate
Homosalate is a chemical used in the cosmetics industry for sun protection15. It is part of the salicylates group of chemicals, which act as UV filters, absorbing short waves of UVB ray.
It converts incident ultraviolet radiation into less harmful infrared radiation. There are no reports of human toxicity, but tests on animals show that homosalate is an endocrine disruptor. It also increases the risk of breast cancer by 3.5 times because it triggers cell growth and multiplication1.
Manufacturers list homosalate, homomenthyl salicylate, HMS, HS, and 3,3,5-trimethyl-cyclohexyl-salicylate on labels. Homosalate is especially vulnerable to infants and toddlers and can cause developmental problems. Infants are exposed to UV filters through breast milk because their mothers use products with UV filters during pregnancy2.
8. Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a skin-whitening chemical commonly used in the cosmetics industry. Some manufacturers sell it as an over-the-counter product in gel, cream, and lotion forms. The United States Food and Drug Administration disapproves buying beauty products containing hydroquinone. They are unapproved, especially products that don’t include it in their ingredient lists.
Hydroquinone lightens the skin by reducing the amount of melanin producers, known as melanocytes, in your skin. Some people use it to treat hyperpigmentation and gain an even skin tone.
The FDA received reports of the cosmetic chemical's effects on consumers’ skin. Some people develop skin rashes and facial swelling. The prolonged use of personal care products with this chemical can also cause ochronosis, a form of skin discoloration. Over time, the skin starts to develop bluish-black pigmentation.
9. Mica
Mica is a group of mineral powders from non-metallic and sheet silicates. It is used as a coloring agent in cosmetic and personal care products. Mica has a unique shiny effect, which makes it perfect for cosmetic producers to use as a color additive, thickening, and smoothing agent.
Manufacturers list it as golden Mica, sericite, sericite GMS-C, sericite MK-B, muscovite Mica, and sericite GMS-C. Some manufacturers also use synthetic mica from an artificial crystalline stone formed by heating, melting, cooling, and crystallization.
Synthetic mica is labeled as fluorphlogopite, synthetic fluorphlogopite, and fluorphilogopite. Some producers prefer using synthetic mica because its unique qualities are more favorable. Both natural and synthetic mica don't pose any health risks, as ruled by the FDA.
However, mica miners can develop allergic reactions from prolonged exposure. Also, long-term mica inhalation can lead to respiratory problems like lung scarring. You should avoid natural mica products because many producers aren't ethical. Mica mines in India and Madagascar exploit poor people and their children.
Madagascan mica mines have about 10,000 children working in poor conditions, while mica mines in Bihar and Jharkhand have about 22,000 child laborers. Female children are also at risk of sexual harassment and abuse at the hands of mica collectors who solicit sexual favors.
10. Heavy Metals
Heavy metals occur naturally on the earth but do not have any physical position in our bodies. Some examples of metals in this group are mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel, cobalt, and arsenic.
Their toxicity to humans is dependent on the duration of exposure. Using personal care products that contain any of these metals means constant exposure, leading to potential health risks. Moreover, they are also common chemicals in fast fashion garments.
The FDA conducted two surveys to learn more about the use of metals in cosmetic products. The first survey included 150 products ranging from face paints to compact powders, eye shadows, lipsticks, blushes, and lotions. The second survey focused on 105 eye shadows, blushes, powders, and lipsticks.
Mercury shouldn’t be in products, but the FDA allows a trace amount of 1 ppm. The maximum quantity of lead is ten ppm, arsenic is three ppm, and lead is 20 ppm. Sometimes, these metals are banned in nail products, hair dyes, and lipsticks.
However, some cosmetic producers do not follow the regulations and pass the required quantity. Constant exposure to products with heavy metal content can accumulate in the skin and cause dermal inflammation. They enter various organs in the body from the skin’s layer through the body’s general circulation.
Studies show that heavy metal content is prevalent in the urine, blood, and internal organs of regular cosmetic product users. Mercury damages the central nervous, respiratory, immune, and reproductive systems, while lead, commonly found in lipsticks, acts as an endocrine disruptor. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to lead because it can cause miscarriage or enter the fetal brain through the placenta12.
11. P-phenylenediamine
Next on our list of cosmetic chemicals to avoid is p-phenylenediamine, one of the active ingredients in hair dyes13. Although there are many variants of p-phenylenediamine in permanent hair dyes, producers only use it in dyes that require oxidation reactions.
Cosmetic producers list it on labels as P-phenylenediamine, 1,4-phenylene diamine, Para-phenylenediamine, 4-aminoaniline, and p-diaminobenzene. Unfortunately, consumers have reports of allergic reactions caused by p-phenylenediamine.
Avoid using hair dyes with this chemical if you have already had an allergic reaction. Also, don’t use it if you have a henna design on your body. It is inadvisable because henna dyes also contain p-phenylenediamine, which can cause sensitization before a severe allergic reaction.
12. Petroleum Jelly
Next on our list is petroleum jelly, a mineral oil often used as a moisturizer in personal care products. Properly refined petroleum jelly is harmless. On labels, it is listed as mineral oil, petroleum jelly, paraffin oil, petrolatum, and white petrolatum.
However, many cosmetics producers do not refine the oil properly, making it vulnerable to contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are carcinogenic and cause skin irritation. The European Union set strict regulations for beauty companies to refine petrolatum properly before adding it to other substances used in cosmetics.
13. Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
Methylisothiazolinone (MI) is a chemical commonly present in industrial and consumer products such as facial cleansers, shampoo, sterling gel, lotions, moisturizers, exfoliants, and body wash. These chemicals are preservatives added to personal care products to foster bacterial resistance.
Producers often use MI with MCI in any product prone to microbial growth because of its water content. However, there are reports that some cosmetic producers are stopping these chemicals because they increase skin sensitivity rates.
To test the viability of these chemicals, the Personal Care Products Council, with the support of the Food and Drug Administration, set up a Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel in 1976. The panel tested methylisothiazolinone in 2010 and determined it is safe for use in concentrations up to 100 ppm.
Later, in 2013, they retested the chemical after an increase in reports of contact allergic reactions in Europe. After more tests and consultation with the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, they concluded that leave-on products would be safe at concentrations lower than 100 pm. Other products have up to 100 ppm of methylisothiazolinone, but leave-on products are safe at 15 ppm8.
Conclusion: Cosmetic Chemicals To Avoid
We should be mindful of the ingredients in personal care products, including household cleaning products. Some complex combinations of chemicals adversely affect our health, while others are tolerable at very low doses. It may cause skin cancer, tumor growth, developmental delay, and reproductive harm.
Glossary Terms:
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| 2 | Schlumpf, M., Kypke, K., Wittassek, M., Angerer, J., Mascher, H., Mascher, D., Vökt, C., Birchler, M., & Lichtensteiger, W. (2010). Exposure patterns of UV filters, fragrances, parabens, phthalates, organochlor pesticides, PBDEs, and PCBs in human milk: Correlation of UV filters with use of cosmetics. Chemosphere, 81(10), 1171–1183. |
| 3 | Hauksson, I., Pontén, A., Isaksson, M., Hamada, H., Engfeldt, M., & Bruze, M. (2015). Formaldehyde in cosmetics in patch tested dermatitis patients with and without contact allergy to formaldehyde. Contact Dermatitis, 74(3), 145–151. |
| 4 | Mikamo, E., Harada, S., Nishikawa, J., & Nishihara, T. (2003). Endocrine disruptors induce cytochrome P450 by affecting transcriptional regulation via pregnane X receptor. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 193(1), 66–72. |
| 5 | Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of benzophenone (CAS No. 119-61-9) in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice (feed studies). (2006). National Toxicology Program technical report series, (533), 1–264. |
| 6 | Koniecki, D., Wang, R., Moody, R. P., & Zhu, J. (2011). Phthalates in cosmetic and personal care products: Concentrations and possible dermal exposure. Environmental Research, 111(3), 329–336. |
| 7 | Calafat, A. M., Ye, X., Wong, L., Bishop, A. M., & Needham, L. L. (2010). Urinary concentrations of four parabens in the U.S. population: NHANES 2005–2006. Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(5), 679–685. |
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| 9 | Lozewicz, S., Davison, A. G., Hopkirk, A., Burge, P. S., Boldy, D. A., Riordan, J. F., McGivern, D. V., Platts, B. W., Davies, D., & Taylor, A. J. N. (1985). Occupational asthma due to methyl methacrylate and cyanoacrylates. Thorax, 40(11), 836–839. |
| 10 | Abou-Donia, M. B., Abdel-Rahman, A. A., Kishk, A. M., Walker, D., Markwiese, B. J., Acheson, S. K., Reagan, K. E., Swartzwelder, S., & Jensen, K. F. (2000). Neurotoxicity of ethyl methacrylate in rats. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 59(2), 97–118. |
| 11 | Lawal, A. T. (2017). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A review. Sustainable Environment, 3(1), 1339841. |
| 12 | Attard, T., & Attard, E. (2022). Heavy Metals in Cosmetics. IntechOpen. |
| 13 | National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7814, p-Phenylenediamine. |
| 14 | Parod, R. J. (2014). Ethyl acrylate. In Encyclopedia of Toxicology (Third Edition) (pp. 511–513). Academic Press. |
| 15 | National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 8362, Homosalate. |
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
Fact Checked By:
Isabela Sedano, BEng.
