More than 10,000 types of cosmetic ingredients
The number of cosmetic ingredients is increasing year by year. As new beauty ingredients, as well as organic and natural cosmetics, become more popular, the variety of plant extracts and essential oils is also rapidly increasing.
On the other hand, it seems that an increasing number of people are concerned about the safety of cosmetic ingredients due to skin irritation and other issues.
Cosmetics contain more than just ingredients that are good for your skin. They also contain ingredients such as fragrances and preservatives that can be a burden on sensitive skin. There are also ingredients that even people who don't have sensitive skin should be concerned about.
This is because there are cosmetic ingredients that may affect parts of the body other than the skin. In this article, we will introduce cosmetic ingredients that are of concern to many people overseas, where there is a high level of awareness of the risks posed by cosmetic ingredients.
What are harmful cosmetic ingredients?
Cosmetics are applied to the skin.
I can imagine that it can cause rough skin, but what does it mean that it can affect things other than the skin?
The answer is "the effect of cosmetic ingredients entering the body."
Some cosmetic ingredients are smaller than a human skin cell.
These substances penetrate the skin surface and dermis, enter the bloodstream, and circulate throughout the body, potentially affecting reproductive function and hormone balance.
Of course, most of it may be excreted from the body in urine.
However, there are still many details we do not know, such as how much remains in the body and at what concentration it has an effect on the body.
Cosmetic ingredients to avoid
The following ingredients may have adverse effects on human skin and health:
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is known to be the cause of sick building syndrome , and has been pointed out as not only an allergic risk but also a carcinogen .
In Japan, it is prohibited to use formaldehyde itself in cosmetics. Therefore, you will never see "formaldehyde" listed on the ingredient list. However, there are actually cosmetic ingredients that slowly release formaldehyde. These are the preservatives listed below.
- DMDM Hydantoin
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Quaternium-15
Formaldehyde has strong preservative properties. By releasing it little by little, these ingredients maintain the preservative effect of cosmetics. However, if we know that formaldehyde is carcinogenic, it seems better to avoid it.
Synthetic Fragrances
There are over 3,000 substances that can be used as fragrances .
However, no matter what substances or how many types are used, as long as all ingredients are listed as "fragrance," consumers will not know what substances are being used.
For example, fragrances may contain substances called phthalates.
It's an endocrine disruptor, meaning it affects hormones in the body and can upset hormone balance , and some research has linked endocrine disruptors to ADHD in adolescents .
PEG (Polyethylene Glycol)
PPG (Polypropylene Glycol)
PEG and PPG are often considered to be gentle and non-irritating to the skin. However, the raw material ethylene oxide is a carcinogen. In addition, a substance called 1,4-dioxane is generated during the manufacturing process, which has also been pointed out as being toxic, including carcinogenic.
Although it is a small amount, There is a possibility that these components remain in PEG and PPG .
Related article on PEG and PPG: Are the PEG and PPG in cosmetics safe?
MEA (monoethanolamine)
DEA (Diethanolamine)
TEA (triethanolamine)
These are compounds of a substance called ethanolamine, which also applies to the following cosmetic ingredients:
- Cocamide DEA
- Myristamide DEA
- Cetyl Phosphate DEA
- DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate
- Lauramide DEA
- Oleamide DEA
- TEA Lauryl Sulfate
- TEA Lauroyl Glutamate
- Cocamide MEA
- PEG-3 coconut fatty acid amide MEA
- Stearamide MEA
When MEA, DEA, and TEA react with certain substances, they can form carcinogenic substances called nitrosamines, which is why the EU has already banned DEA from being used in cosmetics.
Related article on DEA: Does DEA, which is also found in shampoo, pose a cancer risk?
BHT (Butylhydroxytoluene)
BHT is a cosmetic ingredient based on toluene, which has strong neurotoxicity. It has been pointed out that frequent contact with pregnant women may cause developmental disorders in their babies.
In Japan, there is a regulation that limits the amount of ethylhexyl ester in quasi-drugs to 1%, but there are no regulations for cosmetics. Meanwhile, in Europe, new regulations have been created that limit the amount of ethylhexyl ester in cosmetics to 0.8% from July 2023.
In Europe, toothpaste can only contain up to 0.01% zinc.
Related article on BHT: Should you avoid BHT and BHA in cosmetics?
talc
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral made into a powder. It is used in foundations, face powders, and baby powders. It has been pointed out that it may contain asbestos, a carcinogenic substance.
Japan has banned the manufacture and import of talc containing more than 0.1% asbestos since 2006, so you may not need to worry about it in Japanese cosmetics.
However, some have pointed out that Japan's asbestos analysis methods are unable to measure the correct amount of asbestos .
In the EU, there are regulations that require that cosmetics intended for children under the age of three that may contain asbestos must carry a warning label stating "keep away from nose and mouth."
PFAS
PFAS, which have been detected in tap water and well water in Japan, are a hot topic of discussion. They are chemical substances that are of concern due to their various health effects, including cancer, neurological disorders, and thyroid disorders.
This substance is actually sometimes used as a cosmetic ingredient. Common examples include waterproof mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, and foundation. For example, the following cosmetic ingredients may be PFAS:
- PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
- Perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane
- Perfluorononyl Dimethicone
- Perfluorodecalin
- Perfluorohexane
Make sure to check that the names of cosmetic ingredients do not include "perfluoro" or "trifluoro."
Related article on PFAS: Cosmetics containing the toxic ingredient PFAS
Parabens
Several parabens are used in cosmetics. Butylparaben and propylparaben are particularly important. They affect the function of the female hormone estrogen. Research has shown that the concentration of parabens in urine is related to the quantity and quality of eggs, the length of menstruation, etc.
Related article on parabens: The real reason why people dislike parabens
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is sometimes found in commercially available cosmetics in Japan. However, in Europe, America, and other Asian countries, it is prohibited from being used in cosmetics. It is considered a cosmetic ingredient that cannot be used unless you have a doctor's diagnosis.
The reason is that hydroquinone causes white spots and pigmentation, and it is said that it can cause abnormalities in skin color, especially if used for a long period of time.
Related article on hydroquinone: Is it okay to continue using the skin-whitening ingredient hydroquinone?
Europe has the strictest cosmetics regulations in the world
Japan is a beauty powerhouse. However, it is said that Europe has the strictest regulations regarding cosmetic safety. It may be surprising, but some ingredients used in cosmetics sold in Japan are actually regulated in Europe.
Cosmetic ingredient names are difficult.
It is not easy for anyone to determine what ingredients are in a product or whether they are safe or require caution.
However, I want to choose something that I can use with as much peace of mind as possible.
On behalf of people who think like this, we research each cosmetic ingredient using literature and data from around the world and disseminate the information. We hope that our information will continue to be of some use in helping people choose cosmetics.
Useful information is being distributed via LINE
CONCIO Academy's LINE account provides tips for choosing better cosmetics. Please use it to make truly kind choices for yourself and your loved ones .
Register here → https://lin.ee/jAkRPAs
"CONCIO" - A company that thoroughly researches the risks of cosmetic ingredients
CONCIO is the first additive-free skin care product in Japan to receive EWG certification, meeting new standards.
Focusing on the risk of skin irritation and allergies caused by cosmetic ingredients, we have implemented our own safety standards by not using 2,500 ingredients, providing global standards of safety to Japanese sensitive skin.
*This does not guarantee that skin irritation or allergies will not occur in all people.
