A New Study Found Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Some Beauty Products, but Toxicologists Say Not to Panic Yet

In a perfect world, you'd be able to go about your beauty routine without concerns that the products you use are harming your health. But as evidenced in recent years, certain compounds that end up in your personal-care products aren't always great for you. Case in point: A new study has discovered that some beauty products contain trace amounts of one particular chemical that's raising alarm bells.¹

The study, which was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, recruited 70 Black and Latina women living in the Los Angeles area and asked them to track the personal-care products they used over five to seven days. The participants logged information about a product every time they used it with a smartphone app, and took a photo of the product’s label.

After researchers analyzed the more than 1,100 products in the study, they discovered that 53 percent of women reported using at least one personal-care product that contained a formaldehyde releaser. (For context, formaldehyde is an industrial chemical that's been linked to cancer in humans, and formaldehyde releasers are compounds that slowly release the chemical over time.) These products included soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, skin lightener, eyeliner, eyelash glue, and other beauty items.

“These results could inform the types of regulations needed to protect the U.S. population from adverse health risks due to formaldehyde exposure from personal-care product use,” the researchers wrote in the study's conclusion.

Understandably, these findings have raised a lot of questions, including how concerned to be. Here, we tapped two toxicologists, a researcher, and a dermatologist to learn more.

What is formaldehyde, and why is it in beauty products?

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable chemical that's often used in building materials like particleboard, plywood, and other pressed-wood products. It's also used as a fungicide, germicide (i.e., substances that kill fungi and germs), disinfectant, and preservative in morgues and medical labs, but occurs naturally in the environment, too, when plant material decays in soil.

More specifically, the chemical's preservative properties are why it may end up in certain personal-care products. “Formaldehyde is used as a preservative in some products to inhibit microbial growth (such as fungi or bacteria) and extend a product's shelf life,” says Robin E. Dodson, ScD, a research scientist, associate director of research operations at Silent Spring Institute, and lead author on the study.²

“Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are added to intentionally release formaldehyde as a preservative," Dr. Dodson adds.

So, how bad is this finding, really?

In short, it’s not great. “Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing compounds can have serious health consequences, including contact dermatitis (a skin condition that causes an itchy rash) and cancer,” says Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University.³

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies formaldehyde as a group 1 carcinogen (i.e., a substance or element that is known to cause cancer), Dr. Dodson points out. Other group 1 carcinogens include things like tobacco smoke and a chemical called benzene, which is often found in things like paint and glue.⁴

Formaldehyde releasers are also concerning, because they cause the release of formaldehyde on your skin and into the air you breathe, says Ife J. Rodney, MD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics and founder of BLCK haircare. “On a skin level, formaldehyde can cause irritation and redness,” she says. “When it’s inhaled, it can cause respiratory issues, like irritation of your nose and throat, leading to coughing and shortness of breath.”

While Dr. Alan says using the occasional formaldehyde-containing product here and there is likely not a huge issue, the personal-care products found to contain the harmful chemical in the study are meant for regular—even daily—use. (Editor's note: It's also important to acknowledge that certain products targeted toward straightening textured or natural hair haven't always been safe or appropriately tested before going to market. Certain hair relaxers, for instance, have been associated with increased cancer risk and hormone disruption.⁵)

“The products typically contain tiny amounts of formaldehyde, but such beauty products are also generally used on a daily or even more frequent basis,” says Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health. “Because of this, some scientists are concerned that repeated frequent exposures to even small amounts of formaldehyde may cause health risks for some people," she adds.

While this may sound daunting or even scary, Dr. Dodson says it's important to remember that potential formaldehyde exposure can happen from sources in our daily lives, too, including building materials, furniture, clothing, and even industrial pollution. "All of these exposures add up," she says, and are sometimes out of our control. So, ultimately, beauty products alone cannot be blamed.

How to be as safe as possible with your beauty products

This is where things get a little complicated: Most beauty products won’t actually list formaldehyde on their ingredients list, forcing you to do some research. However, Dr. Dodson recommends being on the lookout for the most common formaldehyde-releasers, which include:

• DMDM hydantoin
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Quaternium-15
• Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate

Dr. Alan says formaldehyde may also show up on a label under a different name, including formalin, paraform, or methanal. (Silent Spring has a full list of possible names.) So always "read your labels,” she adds.

You can also take certain precautions when using your go-to beauty products. “Do not store your products in hot sunny areas, which may lead to more formaldehyde release,” Dr. Alan says. And “if you are using these products, particularly if you are applying heat along with the product, make sure you are in a well-ventilated area," she adds.

If you’ve been using a product that contains formaldehyde or a formaldehyde releaser, Dr. Johnson-Arbor says you shouldn't panic. While formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, she points out that you may already be exposed to it through your diet and environment.

“At this time, there is no clear link between the use of multiple formaldehyde-containing skincare products and cancer development in humans,” she says. However, the American Cancer Society says there is a link between people exposed to formaldehyde and cancer of the nasopharynx (i.e., the uppermost portion of the throat), as well as embalmers (those who preserve the deceased) and medical professionals who use formaldehyde and leukemia—a type of blood cancer.

Ultimately, Dr. Alan points out that the less you’re exposed to formaldehyde, the better. “This would perhaps be a time to carefully consider your product choice and determine whether it may be beneficial for you to switch products,” she says.