Abstract

TOXIC CHEMICALS IN COSMETICS

Neha Kale*, Nibha Bajpai and Deepak Wasule

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Abstract

Toxic chemicals being harmful either needs to be eliminated from the cosmetic formulations or substituted with other non-harmful ingredients listed as safe. These however cannot be immediately removed from system; hence their usage needs to be kept as minimal as possible. Using lesser chemicals is not only less wasteful and less costly but also safe and more efficient. There are thousands of threatening cosmetics out there with chemicals known to cause diseases like cancer, severe allergies, hormone disruption, infertility or even fibroids. This review highlights the toxic chemicals and importance of toxicological analysis in cosmetics and also helpful in selecting products that are safe for environment. Throughout the world cosmetic and personal care products are used in vast quantity as result of their regular use; they are constantly released into environment in great amount. Many of these ingredients are biologically active and are specified by persistence and bio magnification potential, posing a threat to ecosystem and human health. In cosmetics there is a need for the introduction of higher standards for increasing awareness about the toxic chemicals and ingredients used in cosmetics that must be avoided to promote safety in any cosmetic formulation. This will be a big step in the advancement of safety parameters in cosmetic industry.

Keywords: Cancer, Cellular neurological damage, Cosmetics, Personal care products, Side effects, Sunscreen, Toxic chemicals.