1. Possible toxic effects of decorative cosmetics
Domina Petric, MD

2. Fragrances
Fragrance chemicals are the most frequent sensitizer toward skin in cosmetics product.

3. Linalool and limonene in fragrances
Pure linalool is not allergenic or a very weak allergen, but autoxidizes on air exposure and the oxidation products can cause contact allergy.
Limonene is one of the most inexpensive fragrance materials.
Limonene forms allergenic oxidation products during handling and storage.
The sensitizing potential of limonene increases with prolonged air contact at room temperature: it is oxidized to allergenic derivatives.

4. Heavy metals impurities
Press powder for eye shadow main ingredients are talc with pigments and zinc or magnesium stearate used as a binder.
A metallic brilliant finish is created by copper, aluminium, brass, gold or silver powders.
Heavy metals such as cadmium, copper and lead can be retained as impurities in the pigments of eye shadows.

5. The most common heavy metals detected in cosmetic products are:
lead (Pb)
cadmium (Cd)
mercury (Hg)
chromium (Cr)
nickel (Ni)
copper (Cu)
Heavy metals can be found in:
shampoo
lipstick
cream
eye shadow
powder

6. Health effects
Fragrances and preservatives are the two most clinically relevant allergens found in cosmetic products: contact allergy.
Fragrances account for 30–45% of allergic reactions to cosmetics.

7. These metals accumulate in the body organs due to their long
Health effects
Although the presences of the toxic metals are in trace amount, these metals are known to be cumulative poison.
The slow release of these metals into the human system may be harmful to the biological system if allowed to accumulate over time.
These metals accumulate in the body organs due to their long
half-life. 

8. Contact allergic dermatitis

9. Parabens cosmetics and personal care products: 50 mg
 The average daily total personal paraben exposure is estimated to be 76 mg:
cosmetics and personal care products: 50 mg
pharmaceutical products: 25 mg
food: 1 mg

10. Parabens
Parabens applied to the skin are metabolized by keratinocyte carboxylesterases and the conjugated metabolites are excreted in urine and bile.
Oral or intravenous parabens are metabolized by esterases within the intestine and liver. 
Parabens have been detected in urine, serum, breast milk and seminal fluid.
Detection of parabens in breast tissue from patients with breast cancer can be associated with application of deodorants.

11. Parabens
Parabens bind human estrogen receptors with affinities to times less than estradiol.
The estrogenic activity of parabens may promote breast cancer development.
In men, fertility problems including low sperm count and decreased motility might be associated with parabens.

12. Eye make up
side effects

13. False eyelashes side effects:
traction alopecia (loss of eyelashes)
allergic reactions
infection (conjunctivitis, infection of eyelid)
dry eye (more dust and air hits the eye with false eyelashes)

14. Toxic chemicals in eye makeup
...

15. Carbon black
Carbon black is a powder found in eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow and eyebrow shadow. It has been linked to cancer and organ system toxicity.

16. Ethanolamine compounds
The problem with ethanolamines is that they can be contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines (Janet Nudelman, director of program and policy at the Breast Cancer Fund and director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics).

17. Benzalkonium chloride (BAK)
It is a preservative found in eyeliner, mascara and makeup remover. 
BAK is toxic to the epithelial cells of the eyes.
Epithelial cells keep dust, water and bacteria out of the eye and provide a smooth surface on the cornea to absorb and distribute oxygen and cell nutrients from tears to the rest of the cornea.

18. Prime yellow carnauba wax
It is used in mascara and eyeliners to stiffen the product and make them waterproof.
Prime yellow carnauba wax clogs the oil glands in the eyes and can lead to dry eye disease.

19. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Formaldehyde and preservatives that release it are strongly linked to allergic reactions and cancer.

20. Parabens
Parabens are preservatives that are used to prevent the growth of bacteria in makeup products.
Parabens are absorbed through the skin and easily transmitted into the bloodstream.
They are endocrine disruptors and are linked to reproductive toxicity, early puberty and breast cancer.
Parabens can also make dry eye worse since they prohibit the oil glands that line the eyelid from secreting enough oil (O’Dell).

21. Aluminum powder
Aluminum powder is both a neurotoxin and has been linked to organ system toxicity.

22. Retinyl acetate or retinyl palmitate
Two forms of vitamin A, can cause dry eye disease.
They have been linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity.
They are also found in anti-aging face creams and eye creams.
There are well-documented studies that show that retinyl acetate and palmitate will kill the oil glands and once they are gone, you can’t rebuild them (O’Dell).  

23. Heavy metals
Nickel and chrome are two heavy metals found in all types of makeup, especially in green or metallic shadows, as well as makeup brushes, even the expensive types (O’Dell).
Heavy metals are neurotoxins that have been linked to brain damage.
Nickel in particular has been associated with lung cancer and respiratory concerns.
17% of women have a nickel allergy, which can cause dry, itchy eyelids, a red skin rash and watery blisters.

24. Titanium dioxide Typically found in sunscreen.
Titanium dioxide is safe but when it is in powder form, it can be problematic and is also a possible carcinogen. 

25. Lipsticks
side effects

26. Lead Lead is the commonly found harmful content in lipsticks.
It mainly affects the nervous system and harms the hormonal system.
Lipsticks are known to cause allergy and irritation over the lips and the surrounding skin.
Other harmful effects include blockage of pores, drying and chapping of lips. 

27. Lipstick pigments
Lipstick pigments contain harsh chemicals that irritate the skin and lead to blackening of lips or they cause leucoderma due to melanocyte destruction. 

28. Leukoderma

29. Other toxic elements in lipstick
Toxic heavy metals: lead, cadmium, mercury and antimony.
Lipsticks may contain formaldehyde (known carcinogen), mineral oil substances (block pores) and parabens (carcinogens).
Lipstick manufacturers are also using harmful petrochemicals to produce such lip formulas. 

30. Nail lacquers
side effects

31. Toxic trio
Toluene is a commonly used solvent that creates a smooth finish across the nail and keeps the pigment from separating in the bottle.
It can affect the central nervous system and cause reproductive harm. 
Formaldehyde (carcinogen) is used as a nail-hardening agent and disinfectant for nail care tools.
Exposure to dibutyl phthalate (added to polishes to provide flexibility) has been linked to reproductive problems. 

32. Healthy tips
use of decorative cosmetics moderately (not every day if possible)
removal of the makeup (especially before night)
natural cosmetics (not perfect, but better)
avoid waterproof cosmetics for everyday makeup (only for special occasions)
nurish skin every day

33. Literature
Siti Zulaikha R., Sharifah Norkhadijah S. I., Praveena S. M. Hazardous Ingredients in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products and Health Concern: A Review, Public Health Research, 2015.
Chelseasmakeup

34. Literature
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