Preservatives in cosmetics

Erasmus+ Project - Sustainable Consumption and Production

1. PRESERVATIVES IN
COSMETICS
Every day, French people buy
525 000 shampoos, 309 000 specific
care products, 157 000 perfume bottles

2. Preservatives
•Natural or synthetic
ingredients
•Prevent bacterial
growth, spoilage
•Keep products fresh
for longer
•Can be toxic in larger
concentrations

3. Cosmetics
•Something that
changes/improves
appearance
•Many different kinds
•Examples: soaps,
creams, shampoos,
hair removers,
toothpaste,
deodorants, perfumes

4. Preservatives in cosmetics
•Used to prevent spoilage
•Without preservatives,
would spoil in days
•Water in cosmetics is
attractive for bacteria
•Antioxidants protect
against oxygen exposure
– can spoil products

5. Types of preservatives
•Natural – not very effective
•Synthetic – many different kinds
•Parabens – recently banned in France,
disrupt endocrines
•Formaldehyde – present in shampoos,
linked to cancer and allergic reactions
•Hydroquinone – found in skin lighteners,
linked to cancer and organ-system toxicity

6. Types of preservatives
•Coal tar – found in shampoos, derived
from burning coal, known carcinogen
•Triclosan – used in soaps, suspected of
endocrine disruption, emergence of
resistant bacteria
•Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, aluminum) –
found in lip products, toothpaste, eyeliner,
foundation, etc. Accumulation in the body
can be dangerous.

8. Are preservatives dangerous?
•Only found in very small amounts in
products
•Multiple products are used, chemicals can
stack – «The cocktail effect »
•Not enough research done yet
•Can cause allergies, irritation, side effects
•People should research what is in their
cosmetics

9. Conclusion
•Preservatives are used in almost all kinds
of cosmetics
•They are often untested and potentially
dangerous
•Care should be taken to avoid health
issues
•Companies should work to find safer
alternatives

10. Stay safe!