Cosmetic has been around for a while. It is a product where people use it to enhance look without taking under the knife. The purpose of cosmetics varies; from skin lightening, acne care, and make up products. In the modern era, the production of cosmetic does not only revolve around natural source, but also synthesized one.
List of Prohibited And Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients In UK
The cosmetic products sold at store or even in beauty treatment always contain chemical. Those chemicals are not always safe either to human or to environment. United Kingdom (UK) issued list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients similar to banned chemicals in cosmetic in Europe for people to be more aware of the danger.
- Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone was a popular cosmetic ingredient due to its effective oxidizing effect on bleaching and hair dye and skin lightening. The chemical is solid granular with white color consist of benzene derivative of phenol.
Even though hydroquinone was once used in industrial purpose and photo developer, the skin bleaching agent it has makes some people who want lighter skin. However, research found that the blue and dark pigment it bleached does not just disappear. Instead, hydroquinone deposited to the skin.
It may cause several skin problem and internal organ damage to thyroid disruption. Some even claims a possibility of it being carcinogenic similar to chemicals to avoid in mascara. Because of the risk, UK along with European Union bans hydroquinone.
- Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another useful-for-all chemical that ends up banned as cosmetic ingredient. Previously, cosmetic industry used hydrogen peroxide for hair dye products, skin products, nail hardening products and many more.
Composed of the simplest peroxide compound, hydrogen peroxide has many uses ranging from skin bleaching, hair bleaching and antiseptic. Some country heavily restricted its use including United States. Over the counter products of hydrogen peroxide is hazardous because high dose of this chemical is corrosive and can cause skin and pulmonary irritation. Only legal and very low dose of use is allowed.
- Hydrated Magnesium Silicate
Another cosmetic ingredient that UK bans is hydrated magnesium silicate. This compound was once an ingredient for baby powder. Cosmetic industry aimed the baby powder for babies under 3 years old. However, it seems like this chemical lacks the safety it should have for a baby product.
Apparently hydrated magnesium silicate is too strong for baby skin as well as for inhalation. Further research warns mothers who use baby powder with hydrated magnesium silica to cover the baby skin and nose whenever it exposes. It may cause irritation and trigger pneumonia. That way, it is also among the list of banned chemical in Europe.
- Polyacrylamides
Polyacrylamide is a polymer acrylamide combination often used in industry. Since it has similar pattern to polymer, it is more suitable for heavy work and solid products industry. However, government also found polyacrylamide in some cosmetic products.
The use of this chemical in cosmetic is as ingredient in body leave-on products and hair product. It is not sticky so that is why this chemical was a choice. However, the compound may also trigger allergy and damage to internal organ. Therefore, United Kingdom bans Polyacrylamide.
- Benzyl Salicylate
The next chemical that UK does not allow in its use is benzyl salicylate. Benzyl salicylate often found in powder and foundation. The salicylate compound gives cooling and soothing effect. Moreover, it also absorbs UV and prevent skin darkening. It has cosmetical fragrance that often factory use to mask the odor of the chemical.
However, it does not seem that Benzyl Saliyclate is safe because it may cause allergy or over sensitive skin. The compound in the chemical may make the skin to be more sensitive and prone to UV exposure. UV exposure can damage skin and cause cancer. Thus, it is in the list of banned and restricted cosmetic ingredients in UK.
- Citronellol
Citronellol is a component in mosquito repellant lotion. It has citrus like fragrance that mosquito tends to avoid. Therefore, mosquito repellant companies prefer this chemical to produce less pungent product. This chemical is an extract of citronellol oil. The oil from exctraction has many uses in cosmetic industry such as perfume, mosquito repellant and termit attractor for termite termination.
Some people become more sensitive in skin and may develop allergy as seen in Harmful Chemicals to Avoid in Skin Creams. Skin may develop rashes and redness to itchiness and more prone and vulnerable to UV radiation. Thus, some countries heavily restrict the use of citronellol.
- Methyl Eugenol
The next chemical that UK also bans from the use in cosmetic ingredient is methyl eugenol. It is originally an extraction of methyl ether. This is a chemical with distinct fragrant factories prefer to utilize. Some products that use methyl eugenol include eu de toilette, leave on product, rinse off product, fragrance in cream and many more.
Studies found methyl eugenol may cause over sensitive skin. In this case, skin exposed to this chemical may develop over sensitiveness that let UV radiation, dirt to easily disturb the skin cell, causing allergy and rashes. Thus, UK heavily restricted the use of this chemical in industry just like List of Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients Canada.
Other Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients in UK
Here are the list of other prohibited cosmetic ingredients:
- Zinc pyrithione
- Triclocarban
- Evernia furfuracea extract
- Methyl 2-octynoate
- Limonene
That’s all the list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients In UK.
Symptoms of Dangerous Cosmetic Ingredients
Below are the signs of dangerous cosmetic ingredients to notice:
- Itchiness in the skin
- Skin rashes
- Redness in skin
- Difficulty to breath
- Acnes
- Bitterness in Tongue
- Allergy
The symptoms may very depend on the severity of the allergy. Seeing as it may affects the people in variation of symptoms, the reaction may also vary. Always make sure that every cosmetic products have the legal label from the health federation. UK has issued the regulation along the list for people to be more careful when using cosmetic products.