How Safe Are Your Cosmetics?

The cosmetics industry is one that has long been known to dabble in the realm of borderline-acceptable ingredients with respect to their products. In many ways, it is analogous to the food industry and the international debate as to which particular food additives various countries consider to be acceptable. The European Union bans certain additives, which the United States may accept, and vice versa. As respects the cosmetic industry, the role of toxins—real or potential—that are utilized in commercial cosmetic products are a cause of concern, or at least scrutiny. For example, many fragrances contain various types of additives that may potentially be harmful. Dr. Samuel Epstein, author of Toxic Beauty, and chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, believes that the cosmetic industry might be (knowingly or unknowingly) poisoning its users simply for the purposes of more easily generating revenue, and he is determined to rectify the situation.

Additives
In particular, Dr. Epstein has publicly criticized Avon—one of the largest and most influential cosmetic companies in the world—for their use of what he considers harmful toxins in many of their products. This is despite the fact that Avon has openly called for the National Cancer Institute to create a computerized program to research and track incidents of breast cancers to determine whether or not cosmetic products play a causative role in the development of such cancers. Many professionals in the industry consider the NCI to be more style than substance, and indeed a ‘font’ used by the additive industry to placate the public, a debatable claim to be sure.

What is known is that the cosmetic industry as a whole, with very few exceptions, relies heavily upon preservatives. According to Dr. Epstein one of the most harmful preservatives being used in the market today are those in a class known as parabens. Indeed, they are so widely used because they are effective and inexpensive.

Parabens
Parabens are a class of chemicals utilized primarily as preservatives in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, used largely for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. They are most commonly found in shampoos, moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, and toothpastes, to name but a few. However, there has been mounting evidence in recent years that suggests that parabens are carcinogenic in nature, and estrogenic when used over time. In some cases, parabens have upset the hormonal balance, stimulating premature uterine growth in mice.

Considering that excess estrogen has been linked to cancer, and the fact that lab tests have created cancer cells using parabens, Dr. Epstein is concerned, and he believes that more than a decade worth of research should be sufficient time to enable scientists to prove to consumers that the products they are using on a daily basis may be doing more harm than good. While it is not conclusive in any way, his book does provide an interesting look at the underbelly of the cosmetics industry and the potential harmful effects of many of the products we never think twice about applying to our bodies.