Toxic and Cancer Causing

Agents in Facial Cosmetics

Jaachim Okemgbo

2009

Background

• In 2004, a survey showed 64 percent of American women use foundation, 81 percent of Americans use

lipstick and 59 percent of Americans use blusher.

• In 2009, a study found an average of 13 hormone-

altering chemicals in the bodies of teenage girls.

• In 2007, a study found that over one-third of lipsticks

had lead levels over the federal limit.

Process

1. Create a survey

2. Go door to door through the Tri-Cities, filling out

surveys for any female that says yes.

3. Find specific names of facial cosmetics used

4. Create a list of chemicals in all cosmetics in the study

5. Find names of products that contain most harmful

chemicals

Field Work

• Nine days

• 94 responses

• “Yes” : 28

• “No” : 41

• “I Don’t Speak English” : 25

Data• 28 females

• 75 percent were single

• 43 percent were Hispanic, and 43 percent were white

• 57 percent didn’t have any children

• 86 percent were citizens

• 64 percent never looked at labels

• 87 percent never had health problems from cosmetics

• 57 percent looked into natural makeup

• 57 percent were not aware of risks from cosmetics

• 73 percent washed their faces nightly after wearing cosmetics

Hazard Levels of Makeup

Low

Moderate

High

6%

64%

30% Of the fifty makeup products I looked at in my study, three had a low

hazard level, 32 had a moderate hazard level,

and 15 had a high hazard level.

High Hazard Products

• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Duos

• CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Quad Eyeshadow

• CoverGirl Professional Mascara• CoverGirl Cheekers Blush

• CoverGirl Clean Fragrance Free Foundation

• CoverGirl Simply Powder Foundation

• Loreal Wear Infinite Eyeshadow Duo

• Loreal True Match Blush• Loreal Colour Riche Lipstick

• Almay One Coat Lengthening Mascara

• Rimmel Underground Sweet Stuff Lipstick

• Rimmel Underground Kiss Off! Lip Gloss

• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Foundation• Mary Kay MK Signature Concealer

• MAC Powder Blush

Hazard Levels of Ingredients In

Makeup

74%

24%

2%

Low

Moderate

High

Of the 338 ingredients found in the various makeup,

249 had a low hazard rating, 81

had a moderate hazard rating, and 8

had a high hazard rating.

High Hazard Chemicals

• Aluminum Powder - 1

• Benzyl Alcohol - 1

• BHA - 1

• BHT - 10

• Citral - 1

• Methylparaben - 32

• Polyethylene - 12

• Fragrance - 11

Advice

• Look at the label before buying any cosmetic

product

• Specifically look for the words

“Methylparaben,” a chemical that was found to

create hormone imbalances in teens, and

“Quartz,” a mineral that has been linked to a

high development of mutated cells.

Advice

• The company Jane Iredale had the lowest

hazard rating of all the products studies. Don’t

necessarily look for popular brand names as the

companies tend to put more toxic and cancer

causing chemicals in their products.

Conclusion

• Eye shadow, blush and foundation are the

most potentially harmful makeup items.

• The public is not well informed about the

cosmetic products they use.

Conclusion

•The government is slow to take action about

harmful chemicals found in common makeup

items.

• To be safe, look at the labels before buying

any cosmetic items.