Too many toxic substances in cosmetics. UFC-Que Choisir delivers a worrying observation that should encourage people to sort out their bathroom: still nearly one in three cosmetic products contains endocrine disruptors, toxic, irritating or highly allergenic substances.
To arrive at this observation, the collective analyzed 171 everyday cosmetic products (toothpaste, shampoo, deodorants, moisturizing creams, aftershaves, etc.), selected from the 170,000 cosmetic products that make up the application’s database. UFC-Que Choisir “QuelCosmetic” (financed by the UFC-Que Choisir endowment fund).
The results give indications according to the profile of the consumer (baby, pregnant woman, child or adult) and the type of use. The verdict is clear: many products, from day care to shampoos, contain problematic cosmetic ingredients, whether endocrine disruptors such as propylparaben, toxic substances such as butylphenylmethylpropional or allergenic ingredients. “No less than 143 substances of concern are still authorized due to the slowness of European procedures and industrial lobbying”, worries L’UFC-Que Choisir in a statement.
Titanium Dioxide Pinned Again
The collective reiterates its concern about the titanium dioxide, present in “nearly 7000 cosmetic products likely to be ingested, such as toothpaste, lip balms and lipsticks, mouthwashes, including in their versions intended for children”. Titanium dioxide is an additive widely used in food products as a colorant and opacifier, but also used in medicines and cosmetics. Last April, the government decided to ban “as a precaution” this additive (also called E171) in food products, after an opinion from the national health security agency which does not exclude its toxicity to health. It is indeed suspected carcinogenand harmful to the immune system.
Problem, this preventive ban does not concern cosmetics, deplores the UFC-Que Choisir, which “urges the European authorities to ban without delay the most risky substances, in particular titanium dioxide” in cosmetic care.
To help consumers find their way around, UFC-Que Choisir has published a practical Guide who analyzes the products and gives concrete advice for safe use of cosmetics.
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