What's in your Cosmetics?
We as consumers usually purchase cosmetics without a second thought. Do we know what’s really inside of our products? Sure there are labels, but think back to the time when you thoroughly
inspected the ingredients in a product. If you don't remember you are not alone; only about 5%-10% of consumers read the information on the packaging! (via Robert Lilienfeld of P&G)
This lack of awareness leaves many consumers vulnerable to recognizing the harmful ingredients with potential health and environmental risks. We must know what's inside our cosmetics for the sake of our health and safety. Allergic reactions, hormonal disruption, and long-term risks may be associated with certain skin products.
It's imperative to look past the flashy marketing and advertising these companies promote and truly understand what it is we are putting onto our skin and bodies.
The following are ingredients that are used in cosmetics that it best to be cautious about:
Artificial Fragrances:
While artificial fragrances can evoke pleasant smells, they may have a harmful effect.
Artificial fragrances (synthetic fragrances) are formed via man-made chemical compounds: Petroleum, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, etc.
A single synthetic fragrance can contain hundreds of chemicals!
The term “Fragrance” on an ingredient list is a catch-all for a mixture of chemicals, and can legally hide hundreds of chemicals. [1]
*If a label only says “fragrance” or “parfum” without any added transparency, consider it to be a red flag.
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But why do companies opt for Artificial Fragrances over natural fragrances?​
Firstly, COST.
Synthetic fragrances are MUCH cheaper than natural essential oils and are often formed in large quantities at a time.
Next, VARIETY.
Companies are in a business to create more and more different types of products for consumers to try, in turn creating more revenue. But have you ever thought about how these companies create scents under the branding of “Ocean Breeze”, “Clean Linen”, “Cotton Candy”, etc.? It’s due to mass branding that these companies can market and sell their products containing Artificial Fragrances merely for appeal and not contain the chemical content present in these products.
Lastly, LONGER SHELF LIFE
From a business standpoint the longer a product can last without getting expired means more profit as it is staying on the shelves longer.
Preservatives that make cosmetics last longer
Phthalates:
(also known as “plasticizers”) are Used to help scents last longer
-Regularly found in perfumes, deodorants, lotions, nail polish, and more
-Phthalates may result in an increased risk of skin cancer, allergies, and behavioral difficulties in children. [2]
-A Chinese study found that exposure to Phthalates is associated with disrupted arginine and proline metabolism, which in turn results in the development of obesity in school-age children. [3]
Formaldehydes:
(may appear as Quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl urea)
Used as a preservative in Artificial fragrances
-Commonly found in nail polish & nail hardeners, makeup, keratin treatments, and more
-Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen (can cause cancer); and can also cause respiratory irritation, eye and throat irritations, and allergic reactions. Salon workers face a higher risk of formaldehyde exposure in contact with the general public due to close contact with hair treatments and chemical byproducts. The human body can have exposure to form a, denudes by direct inhalation or ingestion. A research study concludes that vertebrate cells deficient in the FA DNA repair pathway are exqusetvity sensitive to formaldehyde. Mutations in the genes that code for FA DNA repair pathway lead to the genetic disease FA, a. [4]
Sulfates:
SLS and SLES are known to be harsh chemical surfactants utilized in cosmetics to produce more
foam or have a lather.
Why do cosmetic companies add sulfites to their products?
-One reason is a bit more of a psychological effect; when consumers see bubbles and foam they often associate that with cleanliness. However, in reality, more foam does not equate to more cleanliness, as foam isn’t necessary to clean.
How are sulfates harmful to our environment?
1. Sulfates negatively impact our environment.
Sulfates contain the oxidized form of sulfur SO42. Unfortunately, sulfates are not easily biodegradable, therefore; they have the ability to pollute waterways and are at risk of harmful aquatic life.
The deposition of sulfuric acid through acid rain or snow can harm our sea animals, affecting their ability for fertility and development.
Sulfates also have the risk of damaging our trees and plants due to the deposition of acidic sulfates, inhibiting the rate of photosynthesis. [5]
Sulfate molecule
[10]
Parabens:
Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as artificial preservatives. Parabens are utilized by cosmetics companies to increase the shelf life of products by reducing the growth of bacteria and mold. However, Parabens may be of some concern as studies suggest that Parabens may cause disruptions in hormones of the body and reproductive organs.
In a Spanish study, it was reported that endocrine-disrupting chemicals like Parabens were found in infant textiles and clothes. The study found that BPA was present in 90.7% of samples of the infants' socks. It highlights that around 41% of the sock extracts were estrogenic and 19% were anti-androgenic. Hormone-like actives were found to be higher in socks with higher BPA content. [6]
Reference:
[1] Understanding Ingredients: A Guide to Fragrance in Consumer Product - Green Seal. (2024, December 9). Green Seal.
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[2] (Wang Y, Qian H. Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health. Healthcare(Basel). 2021 May 18;9(5):603. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9050603. PMID: 34069956; PMCID:PMC8157593.)
[3] (Xia, B., Zhu, Q., Zhao, Y., Ge, W., Zhao, Y., Song, Q., ... & Zhang, Y. (2018). Phthalateexposure and childhood overweight and obesity: Urinary metabolomic evidence.Environment International, 121, 159-168.)
[4] (Formaldehyde metabolism andits impact on human health By Hernán Reingruber, Lucas Blas Pontel Year: 2018Container: Current Opinion in Toxicology Volume: 9 Page: 28–34 DOI:10.1016/j.cotox.2018.07.001)
[5] (California Air Resources Board. (2019). Sulfate& Health | California Air Resources Board.
[6] (12.Freire C., Molina-Molina J.-M., Iribarne-Durán L.M., Jiménez-Díaz I.,Vela-Soria F., Mustieles V., Arrebola J.P., Fernández M.F., Artacho-Cordón F., Olea N.Concentrations of bisphenol A and parabens in socks for infants and young children inSpain and their hormone-like activities. Environ. Int. 2019;127:592–600. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2019.04.013)
[7] “Ocean Breeze Body Wash.” Suave Brands Co., 2023, www.suave.com/products/ocean-breeze-body-wash?
[8] “COCORRÍNA Clean Linen Diffuser Refill 16.9 Floz.” COCORRÍNA®, 2025,
[9] Wang, Yufei, and Haifeng Qian. “Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health.” Healthcare, vol. 9, no. 5, 18 May 2021, p. 603. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8157593/,
[10] Illumai. “What Are Sulfates? And Why Should You Care If a Shampoo Is Sulfate-Free?” Illumai, illumai.com/blogs/biome-beauty/what-are-sulfates.
[11] Chatterjee, Sovona, et al. “Parabens as the Double-Edged Sword: Understanding the Benefits and Potential Health Risks.” The Science of the Total Environment, vol. 954, 1 Sept. 2024, pp. 176547–176547, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724067032,
[12] Unsplash. “Photo by Amy Shamblen on Unsplash.” Unsplash.com, 3 Aug. 2020, unsplash.com/photos/pink-and-brown-makeup-brush-set-xwM61TPMlYk.