Post on 12-Apr-2017
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PRESERVATIVES IN COSMETICS
Every day, French people buy 525 000 shampoos, 309 000 specific
care products, 157 000 perfume bottles
Preservatives• Natural or synthetic
ingredients• Prevent bacterial
growth, spoilage• Keep products fresh
for longer• Can be toxic in larger
concentrations
Cosmetics• Something that
changes/improves appearance
• Many different kinds• Examples: soaps,
creams, shampoos, hair removers, toothpaste, deodorants, perfumes
Preservatives in cosmetics• Used to prevent spoilage• Without preservatives,
would spoil in days• Water in cosmetics is
attractive for bacteria• Antioxidants protect
against oxygen exposure – can spoil products
Types of preservatives
• Natural – not very effective• Synthetic – many different kinds• Parabens – recently banned in France,
disrupt endocrines • Formaldehyde – present in shampoos,
linked to cancer and allergic reactions• Hydroquinone – found in skin lighteners,
linked to cancer and organ-system toxicity
Types of preservatives• Coal tar – found in shampoos, derived
from burning coal, known carcinogen• Triclosan – used in soaps, suspected of
endocrine disruption, emergence of resistant bacteria
• Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, aluminum) – found in lip products, toothpaste, eyeliner, foundation, etc. Accumulation in the body can be dangerous.
Are preservatives dangerous?
• Only found in very small amounts in products
• Multiple products are used, chemicals can stack – «The cocktail effect »
• Not enough research done yet• Can cause allergies, irritation, side effects• People should research what is in their
cosmetics
Conclusion
• Preservatives are used in almost all kinds of cosmetics
• They are often untested and potentially dangerous
• Care should be taken to avoid health issues
• Companies should work to find safer alternatives
Stay safe!