Safety is always a concern, not matter what the subject matter is. But it may be safe to say, consumers are more inclined to read the ingredient label on their cereal box than the ingredient label of their anti-aging serum; and to the consumer’s disadvantage, this habitual mistake may be putting their health at risk due to some toxic or possibly “unsafe” ingredient inclusions. These possible adverse effects range from developmental issues to cancer. But as one study noted, even if consumers are reading ingredient labels, some manufacturers are omitting certain ingredients, making it impossible for consumers to know if potentially hazardous ingredients are included in the product their about to apply.
A recent study at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found exposure to three common chemical classes—phenols, phthalates and phytoestrogens—in young girls may disrupt the timing of pubertal development, and put girls at risk for health complications later in life (Environ Health Perspect. March 22, 2010). Researchers also noted the data associated breast cancer development with a high expose to certain chemicals, and these three chemicals specifically were widely detectable in the study population. Consumer products such as nail polish, perfume and other common personal care items use phenols, phthalates and phytoestrogens, which are endocrine disruptors and interfere with the body’s endocrine, or hormone, system.
Along the same lines, researchers out of Oklahoma City said, “Daily application of topical ‘youth enhancing’ moisturizers containing estrogen or estrognically active compounds could theoretically be a risk to women with breast cancer, particularly those with estrogen receptor—positive breast cancers who take aromatase inhibitors” (J ClinOncolo. 2009;27(26):e103-e104). When a 46-year-old woman with estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer present researchers with impressive "youth enhancing results" after four weeks of daily application of a commercially available skin moisturizer after bathing, the researchers became concerned about the possible presence of estrogenically active substances in the cream, despite the absence of any mention in the ingredient list.
A sample similar to the patient's cream along with samples of other commercially available moisturizers that were obtained from department stores and pharmacies were sent were selected based on their claims of "rejuvenating" or "youth enhancing" capabilities. None of the ingredient lists contained any mention of an estrogen or estrogenic molecules. All 16 products were tested for estradiol, estriol and estrone. Four samples contained more than 0.40 percent estriol, one contained 0.17 percent estriol, and one contained 0.05 percent estrone. The authors of the study noted, “Cosmetic laws are based on an outdated concept that an intact skin is a barrier to topically applied substances. Manufacturers of cosmetics (including moisturizers) are relied on to ensure the safety of their products and to provide accurate ingredient labels. No government agency (i.e., FDA) tests these products unless a problem is reported.”
These are serious effects, and women with a history of breast cancer are potentially heightening their chance of recurrence just by washing or moisturizing their face. There seems to be a gap in the personal care safety system and too many products are slipping through the cracks in our system. Dangerous inclusion of phytoestrogens and their omission on ingredient labels isn’t getting the attention it deserves. Even ingredient-label-reading, well-informed consumers are being put at risk and in essence, tricked into purchasing products they assume are safe.