Dirty Dozen to Avoid in Skincare Products:
Do you know some ingredients are prohibited or restricted from use in cosmetics? Let's check out the information that FDA regulation states about those dirty ingredients.
Are toxic ingredients allowed in skincare products?
It's against the law to have ingredients in cosmetics that make the product harmful when people use it according to the directions label on the product or expected way. These authorities have restricted the use of those ingredients.
The one exception is for coal-tar hair dyes, which the law treats differently. According to the law, if there is a special warning on the label and the direction of use on the skin, the FDA cannot take any action. The caution statement reads as follows:
Caution - This product contains ingredients that may cause skin irritation in certain individuals, and a preliminary test according to accompanying directions should first be made. This product must not be used for dyeing the eyelashes or eyebrows; it may cause blindness.
According to US law, other than color additives, other ingredients do not need FDA approval before they launch on the market. It is the manufacturer's responsibility for the safety and labeling of their products and FDA can not take any action against them.
Toxic Prohibited Ingredients In Cosmetics:
Following are some ingredients that are prohibited by the FDA:
Bithionol. The use of these ingredients is not recommended because it may cause photo contact sensitization.
Chlorofluorocarbon propellants. This is another harmful ingredient in cosmetics and is strictly prohibited.
Chloroform. The use of this ingredient causes cancer in animals and is also equally harmful to human health.
Halogenated salicylanilides . The reason for the prohibition of these ingredients is they may cause severe skin disorders.
Hexachlorophene. It has the ability to penetrate the skin easily, but it can be used in a very small amounts, 0.1% if no other preservative is shown as effective as it is. It is strictly prohibited in those products that are used in mucous membranes, such as lip balms.
Mercury compounds. Mercury is readily absorbed by the skin on the topical application and causes a severe allergic reaction or even neurotoxic problem. If no other preservative is effective, then 0.00765% of this ingredient can be used.
Methylene chloride. Studies show that it causes cancer in animals and is equally harmful to humans.
Prohibited cattle materials. These prohibited cattle materials include severe risk and cause mad cow diseases, so the use of these ingredients is not allowed according to the FDA.
Sunscreens in cosmetics. If the term sunscreen or sun protection is used in the product, it generally falls to regulation as a drug. Some skincare products use the same ingredients as sunscreen to protect the color of the products. The labeling must also state why the sunscreen ingredient is used, for example, "Contains a sunscreen to protect product color." If this explanation isn’t present, the product may be subject to regulation as a drug. For more information on sunscreens, refer to Tanning Products.
Vinyl chloride. The use of vinyl chloride is prohibited as an ingredient of aerosol products because it causes cancer and other health problems (21 CFR 700.14).
Zirconium-containing complexes. The use of zirconium-containing complexes in aerosol cosmetic products is prohibited because of their toxic effect on the lungs of animals, as well as the formation of granulomas in human skin
What about color additives?
Color additives are permitted in cosmetics only if FDA has approved them for the intended use. In addition, some may be used only if they are from batches that FDA has tested and certified.
Conclusion:
We have shared the list of toxic ingredients that should be avoided in skincare products because skin health matters.