A recent study has unveiled alarming findings regarding the beauty products used by many Black and Latina women. Contrary to common belief that these harmful chemicals are primarily found in hair straightening products, the research indicates that a variety of beauty products, including lotions and cleansers, contain dangerous substances like formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. This study, published on Wednesday in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, raises significant concerns about the safety of these widely used products.
The investigation involved surveys completed by 70 Black and Latina women in Los Angeles. Participants documented their use of personal care products by photographing ingredient labels and sharing them with researchers via a dedicated app. The results were startling: 53% of the women reported using at least one personal care product that listed formaldehyde releasers among its ingredients. Many of these women utilized such products on a daily basis or several times a week, highlighting a concerning trend in personal care habits.
The study revealed that formaldehyde was detected in 58% of the haircare products reported by the participants. However, the presence of this carcinogen was not limited to haircare alone; women also reported using shampoos, lotions, body soaps, and even eyelash glue that contained these harmful chemicals. Notably, 12 of the lotions identified as containing formaldehyde-releasing preservatives were from the same brand: Bath & Body Works. The Independent reached out to Bath & Body Works for a comment on these findings.
In January, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that formaldehyde presents an “unreasonable risk of injury to human health” under current practices. Previous research had already indicated that formaldehyde poses a heightened risk for Black women and other women of color, particularly in products designed for hair straightening. This latest study is groundbreaking as it highlights that the threat extends to a broader range of beauty products.
Dr. Robin Dodson, the lead author of the study, emphasized the widespread nature of these chemicals. “We found that this isn’t just about hair straighteners,” she remarked in a press release. “These chemicals are in products we use all the time, all over our bodies. Repeated exposures like these can add up and cause serious harm.” Dr. Dodson pointed out the challenge consumers face in identifying these harmful ingredients, as they often have complex names and do not explicitly mention formaldehyde.
Janette Robinson Flint, the executive director of the advocacy organization Black Women for Wellness, echoed the need for more stringent government oversight of personal care products. “We’re trying to do the right thing,” Flint stated, “But there needs to be more government oversight. We shouldn’t have to be chemists to figure out what kinds of products will make us sick.”
Currently, the European Union and ten U.S. states have either banned or proposed bans on formaldehyde. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested a national ban on formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in 2023, though this ban has not yet been enacted. Dr. Dodson advocates for a complete prohibition of these chemicals in personal care products, stating, “Ideally, companies shouldn’t be putting these chemicals in products in the first place.”
The findings from this study illuminate a critical public health issue concerning the safety of beauty products marketed to Black and Latina women. With the presence of formaldehyde in a range of everyday products, it is essential for consumers to remain vigilant and informed about the ingredients in their personal care items. Increased awareness, combined with proactive government action, could help protect vulnerable populations from the harmful effects of these carcinogens.
