Fears over 'harmful' chemicals found in cosmetics

Fears over ‘harmful’ chemicals found in cosmetics after study suggests up to two-thirds of products could disrupt hormones or cause allergic reactions

  • Study of toiletries found some could have bad effect on people and environment
  •  Fears 20 out of 28 tested could disrupt hormones and cause allergic reactions
  •  Also fears that some could pollute the environment, such as harming coral reefs

They promise to make you look great, but some cosmetics contain potentially harmful chemicals, researchers claim.

From mascara to moisturiser, a study of toiletries found 20 out of 28 raised fears they could disrupt hormones, cause allergic reactions or pollute the environment.

The Danish Consumer Council and the campaign group CHEM Trust highlighted compounds including ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, which is said to harm coral reefs when it gets into the sea.

Study of toiletries found 20 out of 28 raised fears they could disrupt hormones, cause allergic reactions or pollute the environment. Picture: Stock

The EU says some firms label it as ‘toxic to aquatic life’, and it is a suspected endocrine disrupter – a chemical that interferes with hormones.

The study also singled out resorcinol as a compound that may cause allergic reactions. 

The EU says it causes serious eye irritation and skin irritation, and is considering whether it should be categorised as a ‘substance of very high concern’.

The preservative propylparaben, also a suspected endocrine disrupter, may affect women’s fertility.

Among 28 products available in the UK, 20 were said to contain ‘problematic substances’. 

Of these, five had the highest number of these chemical ingredients, containing four or more each.

The preservative propylparaben, also a suspected endocrine disrupter, may affect women’s fertility. Picture: Stock

They were Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face, L’Oreal Casting Créme Gloss hair dye, Dove Silky Nourishment Body Cream, Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Hands Stronger Nails Cream and Lancôme’s Définicils High Definition Mascara 01 Noir Infini.

CHEM Trust’s Eleanor Hawke called for ‘a plan to minimise our exposure to these chemicals’.

But Dr Emma Meredith, of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, said: ‘Cosmetics are one of the most studied and safest product categories. Their ingredients have to be safe.’

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: ‘By law, cosmetics may be placed on the UK market only if they are safe.’

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