Antonio Mcgowan
There are growing concerns about the potential health risks of using perfumes and body sprays. The cosmetics industry has been criticised for keeping consumers in the dark about fragrance ingredients, with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reporting that only 34% of common fragrance ingredients have been tested for toxicity. The use of these products has been linked to a range of side effects, including allergies, skin irritation, nervous system damage, headaches, and potentially more severe complications like cancer and reproductive issues. With secret ingredients and health risks, consumers are increasingly concerned about the toxicity of these products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health effects | Headache, breathing difficulties, mood swings, nausea, skin irritation, mental decline, cancer, allergies, reproductive disorders, nervous system damage, migraines, contact dermatitis, and ingestion |
| Chemicals | Styrene, musk ketone, phthalates, aldehydes, parabens, aluminium-based salts, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, alpha pinene, acetone, limonene, beta pinene, acetaldehyde, methyl paraben, butyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, diethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, and triclosan |
| Risks | The Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates Axe, Old Spice, and other commercial body sprays, deodorants, and perfumes as moderate-to-high health hazards. Only 34% of ingredients in fragrances have been tested for toxicity. |
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What You'll Learn
Toxic ingredients in perfumes and colognes
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has consistently rated Axe, Old Spice, and other commercial body sprays, deodorants, and perfumes as moderate to high health hazards. The EWG's analysis of popular men's fragrances confirmed the presence of chemicals that can disrupt hormones and damage sperm. A separate EWG study found that teenagers are particularly susceptible to hormone-disrupting chemicals like phthalates due to their rapidly developing reproductive systems.
Additionally, propellants in body sprays, perfumes, and spray deodorants can cause headaches, breathing difficulties, mood swings, nausea, and skin irritation. Aluminium in deodorants can be absorbed through the skin and has been linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer in women when combined with underarm shaving.
According to a systematic review published in PMC, phthalates, aldehydes, parabens, and aluminium-based salts are the most important contaminants in aromatic products, causing side effects such as allergies, breast cancer, reproductive disorders, skin allergies, nervous system damage, and migraine headaches.
The review also mentioned volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like ethanol, alpha-pinene, acetone, limonene, beta-pinene, and acetaldehyde as indoor air pollutants found in aromatic products. A high proportion of people who use perfumes and colognes are unaware of their potential health risks, with 70.9% of consumers believing that fragrance products, even those labelled as green and organic, do not emit dangerous pollutants.
The EWG further emphasizes that fragrance secrecy is legal due to a loophole in the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973, which exempts companies from listing fragrance ingredients on product labels. This allows the cosmetics industry to keep consumers uninformed about ingredients that may present health risks or accumulate in the body.
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Health hazards of body sprays
Body sprays can contain toxic ingredients that pose a risk to human health. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has consistently rated Axe, Old Spice, and other commercial body sprays as moderate-to-high health hazards. These products often contain chemicals that can act as neurotoxins and carcinogens, causing a range of issues from headaches and nausea to more severe problems like cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
One of the main concerns with body sprays is the presence of propellants, which are used to create the spray but can cause health issues such as headaches, breathing difficulties, mood swings, and nausea. These propellants are harmful not only to the user but also to those around them, similar to second-hand cigarette smoke.
Another issue is the use of aluminium in deodorant body sprays. Aluminium is absorbed through the skin, and long-term use of aluminium-containing deodorants has been linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, in women, the combination of underarm shaving and using aluminium-containing deodorants has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Furthermore, body sprays can contain hormone-disrupting chemicals like phthalates, which are particularly harmful to teenagers whose reproductive systems are still developing. Animal studies have shown that male rats exposed to phthalates during puberty experienced testicular problems. There is also research suggesting a potential link between these chemicals and breast cancer.
The lack of transparency in the cosmetics industry exacerbates these issues. Fragrance secrecy is legal due to a loophole in the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973, allowing companies to withhold fragrance ingredients from product labels. As a result, consumers may be unaware of the potential health risks associated with certain body sprays.
To minimize health hazards, it is recommended to avoid aerosol body sprays and opt for non-spray alternatives, such as pump sprays or creams. Natural fragrance products, such as those containing baking soda, witch hazel, or essential oils, can also be safer choices.
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Fragrance ingredients and their effects
Fragrances contain a complex mixture of chemicals that have different uses, including odor production, solvents, fluidizers, perfume stabilizers, preservatives, antiperspirants, and denaturing agents. Many of these compounds have toxic effects on humans. The most common toxic ingredients in perfumes, colognes, and aftershaves are ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. The scented ingredients in perfumes are infused into these alcohols to preserve and stabilize the product's desired scent. These alcohols are toxic and may cause symptoms if swallowed in amounts greater than 30 milliliters.
Other toxic ingredients in perfumes include styrene, a likely carcinogen; musk ketone, which has low biodegradability and is often found in human breast milk and fatty tissue; and triclosan, an antimicrobial substance still used in some compounds like fragrances, toothpaste, mouthwash, and acne cream.
Phthalates, aldehydes, parabens, and aluminum-based salts are also common contaminants in aromatic products that can cause side effects such as allergies, breast cancer, reproductive disorders, skin allergies, nervous system damage, and migraines. Diethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, and diethyl phthalate are chemicals used to make perfumes last longer and are listed as toxic and priority pollutants.
The cosmetics industry has kept the public in the dark about fragrance ingredients, even those that present potential health risks or build up in the body over time. This is due to a loophole in the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973, which exempts fragrance ingredients from being listed on product labels. As a result, it can be challenging for consumers to know what ingredients are in their perfumes and body sprays, and whether these ingredients are safe.
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Risks of fragrance products for children
Fragrances are frequently used in daily personal care products worldwide, and their use has been normalised in the daily routine of families. However, there are several risks associated with fragrance products for children.
Firstly, there are no known "safe" levels of exposure for children to the various chemicals found in fragrances. The widespread use of fragrances in consumer products can result in multiple exposures for infants and toddlers throughout the day. Children may be at an increased risk of reacting to airborne fragrances, as their smaller weight may contribute to increased concentrations of toxic compounds in their bodies. In addition, their developing bodies may not be able to metabolize (detoxify) chemical compounds as efficiently as adults.
Secondly, fragrances often contain chemicals that can interfere with hormone function, known as endocrine disruptors. These can negatively affect the reproductive system of children and increase the risk of certain cancers. For example, phthalates, commonly found in fragrances, have been linked to a higher incidence of osteosarcoma and lymphoma in children under 19 years old. Teenage boys and girls are particularly susceptible to these hormone-disrupting chemicals due to their rapidly developing reproductive systems.
Thirdly, fragrances can cause skin and respiratory irritation, as well as allergic reactions. One study found that fragrances were one of the most frequent allergens causing allergic skin reactions in children.
Finally, the lack of transparency in the cosmetics industry regarding fragrance ingredients makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices. Manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients on product labels, and the term “fragrance” on a label may encompass hundreds of chemical compounds. This makes it challenging for parents to identify and avoid potentially harmful products for their children.
To minimise the risks, parents are advised to read product labels carefully and avoid products containing fragrances, perfumes, or parfum. Opting for fragrance-free products and unscented solid beeswax candles instead of scented candles can help reduce children's exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
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Carcinogens in perfumes and body sprays
Many chemicals used in perfumes and body sprays have been linked to cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, and other chronic health problems. The word 'fragrance' or 'parfum' on a product's ingredient list can represent a combination of hundreds of chemicals, including carcinogens.
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) publishes a palette of approximately 4,000 fragrance ingredients used by perfumers. However, due to a loophole in the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973, companies are not required to disclose the specific ingredients used in fragrances, only that they contain "fragrance." This lack of transparency makes it challenging for consumers to make informed choices and avoid potential health risks.
Some of the known carcinogens found in fragrances include styrene, benzophenone, and methyleugenol. Styrene is a chemical that can be found in automobile exhaust, cigarette smoke, and various cosmetic and cleaning products. Benzophenone and methyleugenol are also listed as carcinogens by California's Prop. 65 Program and the National Toxicology Program (NTP).
In addition to these synthetic chemicals, even natural fragrances derived from essential oils can contain constituents that act as allergens, carcinogens, or endocrine disruptors. While many essential oils have been shown to have positive health effects, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities, the lack of thorough safety testing means that consumers may be exposed to potential health risks.
To minimize the risk of exposure to carcinogens and other harmful chemicals, consumers can avoid using products that list only "fragrance" as an ingredient without disclosing the individual components. It is also recommended that companies use safer alternatives and report all ingredients in their fragrances, both natural and synthetic, to empower consumers to make informed choices and avoid potential health consequences.
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