Have you spent money on acne treatments, rough, oily, or dry skin products that just won’t do the trick? Have any care products in your possession caused you to break out or given you a burning sensation? If this is your case, this article is perfect for you! Internet advertised products along with over-priced products are said to be the best for any health or skin type, but what if I told you about the harsh chemicals in your everyday essentials. Would you still apply them to your skin? 

How did everyday care essentials become a threat? 

Care essentials have been relied on by the population, whether it’s baby products, menstrual products, or overall skin care. However, some beloved products are not strangers to recalls. Harsh chemicals have been added into our products from as early on as infancy and altered our body chemistry. Going back to just 1 year ago [2023], Nutramigen powdered infant formula has been recalled due to a cross contamination outbreak of Cronobacter sakazakii, a pathogenic bacteria causing poor appetites, excessive crying, fevers, low energy, and seizures. This bacteria is commonly found in powdered consistencies, herbal teas, and feeding pumps for infants. Along with formula, Dynacare baby powder was recalled for having harsh metal and chemical contamination. 

What is in our skin care?

As expected, skin care is no stranger to causing health issues, either. Acure brightening face scrub and ultra hydrating shampoo have caused skin irritations. Sunscreen foundations, especially from the brand Suntegrity, have caused fungal skin irritations and obtained a higher microbiological mold count than is credited on the packaging label. In August 2024, a more popular skin care brand Dove [beauty cream bar soap] was found carrying Butylphenyl Methylpropional, a strong floral synthetic fragrance that is commonly banned across multiple skin care lines in Europe due to its potential reproductive harm along with skin irritations. Butylphenyl Methylpropional must be advertised if more than 0.001 percent of the fragrance is used within a product. Check your skin care products to make sure they do not contain benzene, as it is listed as a common cause of cancer by the FDA. 

Why are menstrual products a danger? 

During the early start of 2024, we’ve seen women all over social media panic over the news of harsh chemicals and metals being found in tampons and pads. The gelatin used in all menstrual products is often used in baby diapers. With this knowledge, a wide spread of hysteria was created among social media platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram, generating a big question: If our adult products contained harsh chemicals and metals, what is being introduced to children? Popular news outlet CNN 10 touches on a July study conducted by a blind test of multiple menstrual products for harsh metals. The study has found 100 nanograms [one billionth of a gram] per gram of lead along with 2 nanograms per gram of arsenic in tampons and pads. Organic tampons contained a higher level of arsenic, while non-organic tampons contained a higher level of lead. CNN 10 touches on the importance of not adding such harsh chemicals, stating “it’s important to note that arsenic should not be present in tampons at all. There is no safe level of lead exposure, and it has been shown to cause reproductive health issues in women” (Schilling, 9/10/24). 

With this information, it is safe to conclude that we must read the labels on essentials we purchase. If you notice any signs of health risks, contact both the company along and the FDA. You can do this by making your own report on FDA’s official website; you aren’t only saving yourself, you’re saving others. Some company brand names may not know the contamination in their products until the consumer gives feedback. 

Works Cited:

• Cook County CO-OP. (n.d.).
• ewg news insights. (n.d.).
• Indiana Department of Health. (n.d.).
• LaMotte, S. (2024, September 10). Heavy metals found in tampons prompt FDA investigation. Heavy metals found in tampons prompt FDA investigation.
• National Agency For Food and Drug Administration Control. (2024, August 30). Public Alert No. 035/2024 – Alert on the Recall of Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap due to Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA) content. NAFDAC. Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://nafdac.gov.ng/public-alert-no-035-2024-alert-on-the-recall-of-dove-beauty-cream-bar-soap-due-to-butyphenyl-methylpropional-bmhca-content/
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (n.d.).