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!