REVIEW: HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH COSMETIC PRODUCTS: A SILENT EPIDEMIC

The cosmetic industry has grown in the past 20 years and every day more women turn to use makeup.Many chemicals are added to cosmetic products to improve their quality, odor and appearance.Most of these additive chemicals are hazardous and pose many health risks.This narrative review aims to identify the main dangerous chemical ingredients in cosmetic products and to identify the health hazards associated with using cosmetics.The relevant literature that focuses on the chemicals present in cosmetics and their health hazards, was reviewed.This study revealed that cosmetic products contain a wide-range of hazardous chemical ingredients.The main dangerous preservatives were Paraben; BHA (ButylatedHydroxylAnisole); BHT (ButylatedHydroxylToluene) and Formaldehyde releaser compounds.Common fragrances identified were Everniafurfuracea, Eugenol, Benzyl benzoate, Hedione, Citral and Chloroatranol.The main heavy metals detected in cosmetic products were lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, nickel and copper.Moreover, other hazardous chemicals detected included coal tar; DEA (Cocamide DEA and Lauramide DEA); Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP); Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP); Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs); Petrolatum and Siloxanes.These hazardous chemicals may precipitate many health hazards including skin irritation and allergy, hormonal disrupts, neurotoxicity, renal and liver failure, bronchial asthma, infertility and even cancer.In conclusion, cosmetics and makeup are silent killers in our homes as they contain hundreds of hazardous chemicals and heavy metals that may adversely affect our health causing even cancer.We highly recommend stopping unnecessary overuse of cosmetics, using natural alternatives, educating public about cosmetics hazards and strict supervision on imported cosmetics by the Libyan authorities.