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Can makeup cause cancer?

I recently heard that phthalates in cosmetics and beauty products can cause cancer. Does anyone know which chemicals/products to avoid, which ones are safe, and how the researchers determined that makeup was the cause?

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Six makeup chemicals to avoid

    Many consumers are under the impression that labels on cosmetics offer some kind of protection. Unfortunately this is not the case, especially in the USA where personal care ingredients don’t need FDA approval, any health studies or pre-market testing. Canada is not much better; it just approved cosmetic labelling in November 16, 2006 but with a year deadline for compliance.

    Approach your personal care products and cosmetics with caution. Read the label and decide whether that lovely shade of lipstick, blush or eye-shadow is worth the risk. Is having full volume hair or thick eyelashes worth compromising your health? The following list is just a few of the chemicals found in basic personal care products. .

    Phthatale family or di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ehtylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

    Can result in: endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCS) and carcinogen linked to birth defects; premature breast developments; lowered sperm counts; testicular injury; damage to reproductive organs; lung, liver and kidney cancer

    Why used: makes plastic soft and malleable.

    Found in: nail polish, hair-straighteners and sprays, body lotions, and deodorants.

    Banned in: Europe

    Lauryl sulfate(SLS), Sodium laureth sulfate(SLES)

    Can result in: suspected carcinogen linked kidney and liver damage; nervous system disruption; damage to eyes leading to cataracts; eczema and dermatitis, known to inflame skin layers.

    Why used:foaming agent and emulsifier.

    Found in: toothpaste, shampoo, bath salts, body and shower gels.

    Banned in: Europe and Central America

    Paraben preservatives or alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl)

    Can result in: hormone disrupter, estrogenic (mimics natural estrogens that leads to cancer); linked to breast cancer; skin rashes.

    Why used: germicide and preservative.

    Found in: conditioners, hair styling gels, nail creams, foundations, concealers, mascara, facial masks, skin creams, and deodorants, sunscreen, hair-colouring.

    Banned in: Japan and Sweden. Under review in the UK.

    Formaldehyde family or Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin , Quaternium-15, Nitropropane-1, Formalin , Methanal , Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Morbicid acid, Oxymethylene

    Can result in: carcinogen, causes allergic reactions and contact dermatitis; headaches; irritates mucous membranes; damaging to eyes; linked to joint and chest pain; depression; headaches; fatigue; dizziness and immune dysfunction.

    Why used: disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, defoamer and preservative, cheap and mixes easily with water.

    Found in: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, liquid antiseptic hand ash, skin lotions, bubble bath, hair care products, antiperspirants, nail polishes, talcs; mascara, mouthwash, make-up remover.

    Banned in: Europe

    Amine family Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), amonoethanolamine (MEA)

    Can result in:hormone disrupter; carcinogen linked to liver and kidney cancer; irritant to hair and skin; corrosive to eyes; causes contact dermatitis; react with other chemicals to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.

    Why used: emulsifier, pH adjuster, and preservative, foaming agent added to coconut oils.

    Found in: shampoos, soaps, hairsprays, sunscreens, foundations, concealers, eyeliner, talc, face powders, shaving creams, hair colouring products (women and men), hair sprays.

    Banned in: Currently under review in the USA, UK and Europe

    Propylene / Butylene Glycol (PG)

    Side Effect: linked to possible brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities respiratory and throat irritation, central nervous system depression, pulmonary oedema, brain damage, hypoglycaemia, skin rashes and dermatitis, neuro-toxin that weakens protein and cellular structure.

    Why: cheap substitute for glycerine, Humectant (retains moisture).

    Found in: deodorants, body lotions, body washes, hair conditioner, hair gel, creams, hand-wipes, lipsticks.

    Banned in: Europe

    _________________________________

    12 Companies offering alternatives

    AVEDA: full range of makeup, hair and skin products

    Burt’s Bees: chapsticks, skin care, makeup, hair care

    Aubrey: hair, skin and body care products

    Lavera: makeup and skin care products

    BWC (Beauty without Cruelty): makeup and skin care

    Dr. Hauschka: skin care products

    Druide bath products and hair care

    Ecco Bella: makeup, skin care and bath products

    Giovanni: bath, hair and skin products

    Yves Rocher: skin and bath care products

    MOP (Modern Organic Products): hair care products

    Weleda: cosmetics

    ____________________________________

    It sounds noble: a cosmetics company promises that if you buy one of its products, a portion of the sale will go toward “the fight against breast cancer.”

    But what if that cosmetic contains chemicals that might actually increase your risk of developing the disease?

    Many cosmetics contain chemicals known as parabens and phthalates, which recent studies indicate may be linked to cancer development.

    Parabens are chemical preservatives that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function. (Estrogenic chemicals mimic the function of the naturally occurring hormone estrogen, and exposure to external estrogens has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.)

    Phthalates are known to cause a broad range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairments in laboratory animals that are exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy and after birth. Phthalates are also known to be hormone-mimicking chemicals, many of which disrupt normal hormonal processes, raising concern about their implications for increased breast cancer risk.

    There are numerous other chemicals of concern in personal care products. BCA is particularly concerned about lutein (progesterone), formaldehyde and coal tar due to their links to cancer. The Environmental Working Group recently released Skin Deep, a report on the safety of cosmetics and personal care products. Astonishingly, 1/3 of products tested contain on or more ingredients that are known, probable or possible human carcinogens.

    Cosmetic companies will argue that we don't need to worry about harmful chemicals in their products because they are only used on our skin and hair. For example, the cosmetics industry has long stated that their widespread use of parabens and phthalates is not harmful because they remain on our skin and are not absorbed into our body. However, a recent study found parabens in human breast cancer tissue, raising obvious questions about the ability of parabens to accumulate in our bodies (Darbre et al. 2004). In September 2000 scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found phthalates at surprisingly high levels in every one of 289 people tested, especially in women of reproductive age. The authors concluded that "from a public health perspective, these data provide evidence that phthalate exposure is both higher and more common than previously suspected" (Blount et al. 2000).

    Many cosmetic companies will also argue that the level of a harmful chemical in any one product is not enough to harm you, based on studies of chemical exposure in adults. However, science is finding the timing of exposure is crucial, and that even a very small dose of some chemicals can have serious consequences in children and young women who are still developing. Also, we are rarely exposed to a chemical just one time. We may use the same product every day, several days a week, for months or years. In addition, we use dozens of personal care products daily, not just one. So while exposure from one product on one day may be small, the fact is we use numerous products a day for extended periods of time. As a result, scientists are finding chemicals such as parabens and phthalates accumulating in our bodies.

    Many diseases like cancer, asthma, birth defects and learning disabilities are on the rise, and there is growing evidence that these health problems are linked to the chemicals we are exposed to in our air, water, food, and everyday products. It's time we start acting to protect human health. The Precautionary Principle, a common sense approach to chemical use, says "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". It guides us to take action to prevent exposure to chemicals we know or suspect are harmful to our health. In the case of cosmetics, when a product ingredient is known or strongly suspected of being harmful to our healthy, our top priority should be eliminating the use of this chemical and finding a safe substitute to replace it. In many cases, we know safe alternatives do exist and are already being used by some cosmetic companies. The notion of "safe" or "acceptable" levels of hazardous chemicals in our products should only be introduced when we cannot find alternatives. We are entitled to products that won't hurt us.

  • Terri
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/avzE1

    They run lab tests for makeup, which have found some chemicals that could cause cancer, but that doesn't really mean it will cause cancer if humans use it. So I don't really think so, I mean it's possible, but, Not very likely. Hope this helped! :)

  • 5 years ago

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  • 5 years ago

    Eczema patients can avoid scratchy fibers for softer ones like bamboo, cotton, or silk, which are gentler on the skin. Opting to buy organic fibers can also be a wise, healthy, and eco-friendly alternative. Learn here https://tr.im/CZARt

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  • 1 decade ago

    Some of the products you use may by carcinogenic. They can cause cancer. Check before you use and avoid cheap products.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Every cosmetics are dangerous, from shampoo to body cream...anything that it's chemistry results cancer.

    If you want something safe be natural!

  • 1 decade ago

    If you are afraid of Make-up why don't you get Permanent Make-up. Its a form of tatooing. Its great, I love mine.And you never have to buy Make-up again.Wake up ever morning looking great. Look it up on line.

    Source(s): Yes I do Permanent Make-up. kijose2@yahoo.com My name is Valerie
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