"Hidden" perfumes in cosmetics are potentially dangerous to health
Research shows that many fragrances are not on the cosmetic ingredient list
Responsible for the control and testing of various consumer goods in the United States, being a world reference, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a large regulation on dyes, as well as prohibiting certain components in cosmetics, such as chloroform, mercury and parabens . But the formulations used to give fragrance to these same products are not so tightly controlled. Therefore, many manufacturers do not put on their item labels all the ingredients that give perfume to cosmetics that we like so much when using creams, lotions and other products.
According to a study by the US Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, of the 3,000 synthetic products used in cosmetics, 900 are toxic and should not be consumed. Some are known for the cleaning power of shampoos or the conditioning effect of conditioners, but the main responsible for the aroma are phthalates, which are often also used to make plastics more malleable.
According to research, they can cause abnormalities in the reproductive system, causing damage at critical periods of development and hindering the functioning of the sexual organs. Furthermore, the use of phthalate is related to the occurrence of kidney, lung and liver cancer, and the development of obesity. And, even though it is not biodegradable, there is still no legislation on the correct disposal of this substance in the US, nor in Brazil.
In Europe, where it is prohibited to sell cosmetics tested on animals, phthalates of types DEP and DEHP have already been banned. But these two components are still released here and in the US. In another study, levels of contamination by these substances in the population were found, and this measurement showed greater contamination in women, due to exposure to cosmetics due to their frequent use.
Other dangerous substances found in the composition of fragrances were musks. Used as fixatives, they have a persistent, mild odor, and although there are still no definitive studies on their consequences in humans, research shows that they were responsible for negatively affecting reproduction in rats and fish, as well as damaging their DNA.
Problems and Prevention
The use of fragrance can cause allergic reactions in some people, as chemical sensitizers, responsible for dermatitis, are added to its formulation. And these reactions are most often accompanied by headaches and respiratory problems. An effective way to reduce the risks that aroma compounds offer is to reduce the daily use of certain products, such as makeup, cologne, or perfumed laundry cleaning products, for example.
As for labels, stay tuned. Even in the so-called “without perfume” product, there is a special fragrance to cover up the undesirable chemical smell of other components, and some “natural” or “hypoallergenic” perfumes are not properly certified. Truly natural fragrances are those whose essence comes from the dilution of highly concentrated natural oils such as mint or lavender.
useful tool
A very interesting American website provides information on 79,000 substances used in cosmetics, both for their environmental consequences and for our health. It's worth checking it out before making the purchase (see more here).
