New study finds cancer-causing chemicals in popular beauty products for women

Imagine being exposed to carcinogens while indulging in some personal care products!


New research has shed light on cancer-causing chemicals being found in a variety of women’s beauty products, particularly in those marketed to women of color.

The new study, published recently in Environmental Science & Toxicology Letters, analyzed the personal care products used by Black and Latina women and found that more than half used products that contained formaldehyde-releasing chemicals.


What does the research say?

A recent study has highlighted that many Black and Latina women frequently use beauty products containing cancer-causing chemicals, extending beyond just hair straightening products.


The study involved surveys from 70 Black and Latina women in Los Angeles, who submitted pictures of the ingredient labels of personal care products they used via a dedicated app. Alarmingly, the study found that 53% of participants utilized at least one product that listed formaldehyde releasers. Many reported using these products daily or several times per week.

The carcinogen was identified in 58% of the haircare products surveyed, but it was also found in various shampoos, lotions, body soaps, and eyelash glues.


What are the findings?

The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, indicate that several lotions, cleansers, and other beauty items marketed to these demographics contain formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, substances that are recognized as carcinogens.


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) previously indicated that formaldehyde poses an "unreasonable risk of injury to human health." Prior studies have already documented this carcinogen's presence in hair straightening products, especially affecting Black women and women of color disproportionately. This latest research is significant as it expands the known range of products containing formaldehyde.


The experts’ take:

According to Dr. Robin Dodson, the lead author of the study, the implications are serious: “These chemicals are in products we use all the time, all over our bodies. Repeated exposures like these can add up and cause serious harm.” She emphasizes the challenge for consumers in identifying which products contain formaldehyde, as many preservatives have complex names and do not explicitly state "formaldehyde" on labels. One preservative to be cautious of is DMDM hydantoin.

While the European Union and ten U.S. states have enacted or proposed bans on formaldehyde, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested a national ban in 2023, but no action has been finalized. Dr. Dodson argues for an even more comprehensive approach: “Ideally, companies shouldn’t be putting these chemicals in products in the first place.”

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