Cosmetic products found to contain 175 different toxic chemicals

(NewsTarget) Women who wear mainstream cosmetics products may be unknowingly applying as many as 175 different chemicals to their bodies every day, according to ChemicalSafeSkincare.co.uk.
Most popular beauty products contain a vast cocktail of chemicals, many of which have been linked to health problems such as cancer, hormone imbalances and skin irritation. A campaign group organized by manufacturers of natural products is calling for mainstream cosmetics makers to exhibit more information on their products' ingredients, as well as the side effects of such ingredients.

The campaign group says three cosmetics ingredients in particular can cause severe health problems. Parabens -- preserving agents used in many moisturizers and body creams -- have been linked to cancer and skin irritation. Sodium laureth and sulfate -- foaming agents used in shampoos -- can irritate the skin, and formaldehyde -- used in hand soap and shampoo -- can also act as a skin irritant.

"Media reports about the possible dangers of certain chemicals such as parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, phthalates and formaldehyde has made consumers more aware of what they are buying, and potentially more demanding of chemical safe alternatives," says Julia Mitchell, spokeswoman for ChemicalSafeSkincare.co.uk.

Lobbyists in Europe are pushing for manufacturers to make potential side effects of using mainstream cosmetics more widely available to the public.

Many chemical-free cosmetic and personal care products are already available on the market, including the Lluvia line from the Amazon Herb Co., a natural products company that uses rainforest herbs in product formulations while avoiding toxic chemicals.

Originally published September 5 2006

NewsTarget.com