Body absorbs 5lb of make-up chemicals a year*

By Paul Stokes
Last Updated: 2:39am BST 22/06/2007

Women who use make-up on a daily basis are absorbing almost 5lb of
chemicals a year into their bodies, it is claimed.

Woman applying lipstick: Body absorbs 5lb of make-up chemicals a year
Out-of-date lipstick may be a hothouse for bacteria

Many use more than 20 different beauty products a day striving to look
their best while nine out of 10 apply make-up which is past its use by date.

Dependence on cosmetics and toiletries means that a cocktail of 4lb 6oz
of chemicals a year is absorbed into the body through the skin.

Some synthetic compounds involved have been linked to side effects
ranging from skin irritation to premature ageing and cancer.

Richard Bence, a biochemist who has spent three years researching
conventional products, said: "We really need to start questioning the
products we are putting on our skin and not just assume that the
chemicals in them are safe.

"We have no idea what these chemicals do when they are mixed together,
the effect could be much greater than the sum of the individual parts."
Mr Bence, an advocate of organic beauty products, believes that
absorbing chemicals through the skin in more dangerous than swallowing them.

He said: "If lipstick gets into your mouth it is broken down by the
enzymes in saliva and in the stomach. But chemicals get straight into
your bloodstream, there is no protection."

Warnings over using out-of-date lipstick and mascara have also been
issued by the Royal College of Optometrists which believes such items
are a "hothouse" for harmful bacteria.

Clio Turton, of the Soil Association, said: "Many women are using over
20 different products a day, bombarding themselves with hundreds of
different chemicals. They should be asking themselves 'is that eyelash
conditioner really essential?' "

Among chemicals under scrutiny are parabens (para-hydroxybenzoic acids)
which are preservatives used in products including soap, shampoo,
deodorant and baby lotion. Traces of parabens have been found in breast
tumour samples, although its link to the development of the cancer is
disputed.

Sodium lauryl sulphate, used to help create lather in soaps, shampoo,
shaving foam, toothpaste and bubble bath, can cause skin irritation.

The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association said there was no
reason for worry because the products were covered by European Union
rules requiring them to be safe.

A spokesman said: "The cocktail effect is an urban myth. We do know how
different chemicals react individually and can predict how they interact
with each other and this is taken into account when the safety of
products is assessed."