This section of Cosmetics Unmasked allows you to look up over 2000 cosmetic ingredients, listed in alphabetical order. It tells you what the ingredient does in the cosmetic and where it comes from. It lists any known adverse effects of the ingredient and it details any restrictions that are placed on its use. It also shows if ingredient is commonly used in the European Union (EU) or the USA. Unless otherwise specified, the restrictions are based on EU regulations simply because there are far more regulations in the EU than in the USA. Three example are given below. Elastin amino acids Function: Biological additive Origin: Amino acids derived from elastin, a flexible protein extracted from the layers of skin and artery walls of mammals. Restrictions and Adverse Effects: No currently known adverse effects. See A-Z of Cosmetic Terms - Animal Products for BSE precautions. Usage: EU/USA Ethylparaben Function: Preservative Origin: Synthetic compound of the benzoate family. Restrictions and Adverse Effects: Benzoic acid, benzoates and parabens have been implicated in a large number of health issues. (See A-Z of Cosmetic Terms - Benzoates). It is limited to 0.4 percent of the finished product if used on its own as a preservative or 0.8 percent in total if used in combination with other parabens. Parabens may be added in larger quantities for other stated purposes. Usage: EU/USA Formaldehyde Function: Preservative / Nail hardener Origin: Synthetic compound. Restrictions and Adverse Effects: Irritant. Harmful. Cancer suspect. It is banned from all cosmetics in both Sweden and Japan. Prohibited from use in aerosol dispensers and sprays. If used as a preservative it is limited to 0.2 percent or 0.1 percent in oral hygiene preparations but it may be used for other stated purposes to a maximum of 5 percent of the finished product. If the product contains more than 0.05 percent the label must clearly state the name of this substance separately from the list of ingredients. Usage: EU/USA

© Gina & Steve Antczak, 2001

This page was last updated, January 2001

CosmeticsUnmasked.Com