Are Your Cosmetics Safe? - Drs. G and M Pearsall

Formaldehyde has now been put on the list of known carcinogens by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Carcinogens are substances that are likely to cause cancer. Formaldehyde is an industrial chemical used in making resins for many items we use in our homes including: plastics, textile coatings and composite woods. It is also found in use at laboratories, in nail polishes, hair straightening products and mortuaries.  It is very strong-smelling and is colorless.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, "There is now sufficient evidence from studies in humans to show that individuals with higher measures of exposure to formaldehyde are at increased risk for certain types of rare cancers, including nasopharyngeal and sinonasal cancer, as well as myeloid leukemia."

We have long known that formaldehyde is a toxin that you do not want anywhere near your body. This latest report by HHS confirms that products containing formaldehyde should be avoided at all costs. For instance, there are many nail polishes that are now made without formaldehyde, brands including: Butter London, Priti Polish, Avon, Revlon and many more. Please do your research before buying cosmetics, there are safe alternatives.