Chemicals in cosmetics

A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas looked at the effects of a short break from certain kinds of makeup, shampoos and lotions, had on the amount of harmful chemicals found in the body.

The results, published Monday, March 7, 2016 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, came from a study of 100 Latina teenagers participating in the Health and Environmental Research on Makeup of Salinas Adolescents (HERMOSA) study.

This new study found that taking even a short break from certain kinds of make-up, shampoo and lotion can lead to a significant drop in levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the body.

The result came from a study of 100 teenagers who were given personal care products labelled free of chemicals, including phthalates, parabens, triclosan and oxybenzone.

These chemicals, widely used in cosmetics, perfumes, hair products, soaps and sunscreens, have been shown to interfere with the body’s endocrine system.

Exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals

“Because women are the primary consumers of many personal care products, they may be disproportionately exposed to these chemicals,” said study lead author Kim Harley, associate director of the UC Berkeley Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health.

“Teen girls may be at particular risk since it’s a time of rapid reproductive development.”

Chemicals widely used in cosmetics have been shown to interfere with the body’s endocrine system. There is growing evidence linking endocrine-disrupting chemicals to neurobehavioural problems, obesity and cancer cell growth.

What Everyone Needs To Know About Chemicals In Cosmetics

The researchers say there is growing evidence linking endocrine-disrupting chemicals to neurobehavioural problems, obesity and cancer cell growth.

“We know enough to be concerned about teen girls’ exposure to these chemicals. Sometimes it’s worth taking a precautionary approach, especially if there are easy changes people can make in the products they buy,” said Harley.

Only three days …

Analysis of urine samples before and after a three-day trial in which the participants used the lower-chemical products found a significant drop in the level of these chemicals in the body.

Metabolites of diethyl phthalate, commonly used in fragrances, decreased 27 percent by the end of the trial period.

Methyl and propyl parabens, used as preservatives in cosmetics, dropped 44 and 45 percent respectively and both triclosan, found in antibacterial soaps and some brands of toothpaste, and benzophenone-3 (BP-3), found in some sunscreens under the name oxybenzone, fell 36 percent.

Cárdenas said the research findings have already influenced the products she buys for herself.

“Personally, since the study, I’ve tried to use more organic products,” she said. “It’s hard, especially as a college student who doesn’t have a lot of money. You tend to just get what’s on sale. But I’ve decided to splurge more on products with fewer chemicals because of the effect in the future. And if you can’t make the best choice when you’re buying because of cost, you can at least try to limit the use of the products you do buy.”

Source: University of California – Berkeley via Sciencedaily.com