Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published on July 12, 2017.
Just because a product is sold over-the-counter does not automatically mean it is safe for use. Shockingly, there are around 13,000 chemicals used in cosmetics, with only 10% of them being tested for safety. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the power to regulate the ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products, but they often do not exercise this authority.
Personal care products can be placed on store shelves without any prior approval from any agency. The FDA can only take action against a product after it has been proven harmful, mislabeled, or adulterated. According to the FDA, their authority over cosmetics is different from other products they regulate such as drugs and medical devices.
On top of this, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products’ safety, but they are not obligated to share safety test results with federal agencies or the public. This means that even products claiming to be safe and nontoxic can contain harmful chemicals when used.
Adverse Event Reports from Cosmetic Products on the Rise
Researchers analyzing FDA data found that there were nearly 400 adverse events reported annually between 2004 and 2016 for personal care products like shampoos, lotions, tattoos, and perfumes. By the end of 2016, this number spiked to almost 1,591 reports due to adverse effects from products manufactured by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioners under the brand name WEN.
Out of all the products, hair care, tattoos, and skincare were the most commonly reported. Baby products had the most serious health conditions reported. Despite the high number of adverse effects, the FDA lacks the authority to enforce recalls at this time.
Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Susan Collins have introduced a bill requiring stricter regulations on personal care products, giving the FDA the power to issue recalls and mandate better labeling and warnings from manufacturers.
Despite these efforts, Kim Harley, Ph.D., from the University of California, Berkeley, believes that more regulation would not only protect consumers but also help the FDA understand the long-term effects of personal care products.
Underreported Adverse Event Numbers
The surge in complaints to the FDA in 2014 regarding WEN haircare products led to an investigation revealing an additional 21,000 complaints to the manufacturer. The discrepancy between adverse events reported to the FDA and the manufacturer indicates that these numbers are likely underreported.
Monitoring and regulating the cosmetic industry under current laws is a significant challenge. Experts emphasize the need for better reporting from both consumers and clinicians to enhance data collection on personal care products.
Even with significant health risks, such as those associated with tobacco products, the process of identifying and interpreting safety signals to warrant regulatory action is often lengthy and complex.
In an ideal scenario, advanced monitoring methods would work alongside spontaneous adverse event reporting, potentially surpassing it in the future. For instance, popular internet and social media tools could provide new avenues for efficiently gathering large amounts of data to gain a comprehensive understanding of risks linked to commonly used products.
As cosmetic manufacturers are not mandated to disclose health-related complaints to the FDA, the agency remained unaware of the issues with WEN until consumers began reporting directly. Subsequently, the FDA opened the adverse event complaints database in December 2016, which was utilized by Xu and his team for their research. Xu noted the limited insights obtained from the repository of adverse event complaints.
The presence of toxic chemicals in personal care products is surprising, with the average woman in the U.S. using numerous products daily containing a multitude of chemicals. While the EU has been proactive in regulating chemicals in cosmetics, the U.S. lags behind. This chemical exposure can significantly impact health, especially when using these products daily over a lifetime.
Various hazardous chemicals have been found in personal care products, including heavy metals, plasticizers, and more. Despite numerous consumer complaints, the FDA’s involvement in regulating the chemicals used in personal care products is limited. It is crucial to be aware of the ingredients in products and to report any adverse reactions to the appropriate authorities.
Reducing chemical exposure in personal care products can be achieved through simple steps, including tracking adverse events and reporting them to the FDA. It is essential to be vigilant about the ingredients in products and take necessary precautions to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals. La industria cosmética no está interesada en moverse hacia regulaciones más estrictas, lo que te deja a cargo de regular lo que tú y tu familia ponen en su piel.
Tu piel es un excelente sistema de administración de medicamentos, por lo que lo que pones en tu cuerpo es tan importante como lo que ingieres. Mantener un microbioma intestinal saludable te ayuda a protegerte de algunas de las toxinas que ingieres al filtrarlas, una protección que no obtienes cuando se absorben a través de tu piel.
Encuentra recetas para hacer tus propios productos caseros de baño y lavado de manos que no contengan subproductos y conservantes adicionales. El aceite de coco es un hidratante saludable para la piel que tiene propiedades antibacterianas naturales.
La EWG tiene una extensa base de datos para ayudarte a encontrar productos de cuidado personal libres de químicos potencialmente peligrosos. Los productos que llevan el sello “USDA 100% Orgánico” son una de tus apuestas más seguras si quieres evitar ingredientes potencialmente tóxicos. Ten en cuenta que los productos etiquetados como “todo natural” aún pueden contener químicos dañinos, así que es sabio revisar la lista completa de ingredientes.