Potentially Hazardous Ingredients in PCPs

• Retinoids (Retin-A, Retinol, Retinoic acid, Retinyl linoleate, Retinyl palmitate, Tazorac, Avage, Differin). See http://www.babycenter.com/0_safe-skin-care-during-pregnancy_1490031.bc

• Salicylic Acid and its form Beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Small concentrations (2% or less) used topically are generally considered safe. http://www.babycenter.com/0_safe-skin-care-during-pregnancy_1490031.bc

There is also evidence that the following personal care product ingredients may be harmful:

• Acetone (an organic (i.e., carbon-based) compound. A component of nail polish removers and dishwashing liquids. It affects the central nervous system and may cause dizziness, nausea, or drowsiness. See http://ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/acetone/health_ace.html).

• Aluminum (a natural chemical element widely used in underarm deodorants and antiperspirants. The MSDS for aluminum provides that it "May cause mild skin, eye and upper respiratory tract irritation and in case of ingestion it may cause gastrointestinal tract irritation, may affect bones (osteomalacia), metabolism, blood, behavior (muscle contraction, spasticity, change in motor activity) and the liver." In addition, there is also some evidence that the use of aluminium in antiperspirants may increase the risk of breast cancer. See "Aluminium in human breast tissue". J. Inorg. Biochem. 101 (9): 1344–6. doi:10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2007.06.005., at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17629949. In addition, aluminum has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. See "Aluminum as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease". Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 16 (1): 151–7. PMID 18392545), at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18392545.

• Artificial Fragrances and perfumes.

• Ceteareth-6 (Cosmetic Ingredient Review placed a warning on this and suggests it be exluced from products used on injured skin. See http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient_more_details.php?ingredient_id=762 and http://www.cir-safety.org/).

• Coal Tar (The FDA issued a warning in 1993 that coal tar is a possible carcinogen. See http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-818.html. It is used in numerous hair dye products as per the Environmental Working Group).

• DEET (Diethyl-meta-toluamide is an active ingredient in insect repellents. Generally considered safe if properly used, in certain, very rare cases it may cause seizures and even death. See http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/chemicals/deet.htm linking to the DEET Reregistration Eligibility Decision).

• Diazolidinyl Urea (a preservative that releases formaldehyde. See http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/cosmetics_personal_care.htm).

• Diethanolamine DEA (often used as a base for cleansers, it may combine with other ingredients to form nitrosamines which are potential carcinogens. See http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/diethanolamine.htm).

• Dioxane (A by-product of ethylene oxide. The MSDS for dioxane provides that it is hazardous in case of eye contact, ingestion and inhalation, and slightly hazardous in case of skin contact. It may also be toxic to blood, kidneys, liver, skin, central nervous system and repeated or prolonged exposure to dioxane can produce target organs damage. 
 It is also classified as a possible carcinogen. See also http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/cosmetics_personal_care.htm).

• DMDM Hydantoin (a preservative used in personal care products to prevent molds, mildew and bacteria. It works by releasing formaldehyde. The MSDS for DMDM Hydantoin provides that it may irritate eyes, skin and the respiratory system. 
When spilled, and liquid spreads over a large area, irritating levels of gaseous formaldehyde may be released. See http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/cosmetics_personal_care.htm).

• Formaldehyde (a chemical compound used in industry as well as numerous household products. The MSDS for formaldehyde provides that it is very hazardous in case of eye contact and ingestion, hazardous in case of skin contact. Severe over-exposure can result in death. Classified 2A carcinogen (Probable for human) by IARC. See http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/formaldehyde).

• Imidazolidinyl Urea (a preservative that releases formaldehyde. See http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/cosmetics_personal_care.htm).

• Nitrosamines (chemical compound that may cause cancer in humans. See Jakszyn P, Gonzalez CA. Nitrosamine and related food intake and gastric and oesophageal cancer risk: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence. World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Jul 21;12(27):4296-303. PubMed, see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16865769 ).

• PABAs (para-aminobenzoic acid is an organic compound that had been widely used as a UV filter in sunscreens until some research suggested that it may actually increase the risk of skin cancer).

• Parabens (Butyl, Ethyl, Methyl and Propyl and their formulations, also known as Alkyl-hydroxy benzoate. The MSDS for various parabens provides that they are hazardous in case of ingestion, slightly hazardous in case of skin contact and eye contact, toxic to lungs and mucous membranes, and repeated or prolonged exposure can produce target organs damage. In addition, some researchers found parabens in human breast tumors - J. Appl Toxicol. 2004 Jan-Feb., 24(1):5-13, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14745841. See also http://www.breastcancerfund.org).

• Petrolatum and Mineral Oil (petrolatum is made from mineral oil, which is a petroleum derivative. Both may cause skin allergies, such as acne. Petrolatum is listed as a probable human carcinogen in the European Union's Dangerous Substances Directive (UNECE 2004). See also http://www.health-report.co.uk/petroleum_petrolatum_health_concerns.htm).

• Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)(a petrolatum derivative, generally deemed safe for use in personal care products and food. The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for Polyethylene Glycol provides that it is slightly hazardous in case of skin contact, eye contact, ingestion and inhalation. Ingestion of larger amounts may cause nausea, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension. It may also affect the urinary system. See http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=704692&refurl=/product.php?prod_id=163594&&nothanks=1 and
http://www.phend.co.za/health/Chemical5.htm).

• PPD (Paraphenylediamine is a chemical substance. It is a skin and eye irritant and may cause dermatitis. It is a component of hair dyes, textile and fur dyes, printer ink, gasoline and many other products. It has been banned by the EU under Council Directive 76/768/EEC. See http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/html/consolidated_dir.htm).

• Propylene Glycol (PG)(a petrolatum derivative, deemed safe for use in personal care products and food. The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for Propylene Glycol provides that it is hazardous in case of ingestion, slightly hazardous in case of skin contact, eye contact and inhalation. The substance may be toxic to central nervous system. 
Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. 
In high doses, causes acute oral toxicity and acute dermal toxicity in animals. See http://www.dow.com/productsafety/finder/prog.htm#HealthInfo).

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (generally deemed safe, but there is some evidence that is can cause dermatitis (Contact Dermatitis 1999 May 40(5):239-42, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10344477) and, if used in toothpaste, may cause canker sores (Acta Odontol Scand 52 (5): 257–9, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7825393)).

• Talc (Talcum Powder)(a naturally occurring mineral. It is deemed safe for use in cosmetics and food by the FDA. The MSDS for talc provides that it is slightly hazardous in case of skin contact and eye contact, ingestion and inhalation (it may be toxic to lungs) and repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. There is also some evidence it may cause lung cancer, skin cancer and ovarian cancer. "Perineal Exposure to Talc and Ovarian Cancer Risk.". Obsetrics and Gynecology 80(1):19-26, 1992, http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/cgi-bin/mycite?ExtRef=MEDL/92293722; "Pulmonary toxicity of inhaled and intravenous talc." Toxicology Letters, 52:121-127, 1990, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2198684).

• Toluene (a clear, water insoluble liquid. It is a aromatic hydrocarbon / VOC that is an irritant and may cause intoxication, nausea and liver damage. As it is water insoluble, it must be metabolized by the body before it can exit it. It is found in many nail polishes. See e.g., http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs56.html).

• Triethanolamine (TEA)(often used as a base for cleansers, it may be contaminated with nitrosamines which are potential carcinogens. See www.preventcancer.com)

The following is generally deemed safe, although there may be some risk factors:

• Tetrasodium EDTA (deemed safe as used in cosmetic formulations but there is evidence that it may under certain circumstances be cytotoxic and genotoxic. (1: Int J Toxicol. 2002;21 Suppl 2:95-142. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12396676)