A recent study has raised concern over the safety of beauty products commonly used by Black and Latina women, revealing that many contain chemicals known to cause cancer.
The research, published in a peer-reviewed science journal, shows that dangerous ingredients are found not just in hair straighteners but also in everyday items like shampoos, lotions, and eyelash glue.
The investigation took place in Los Angeles, where researchers followed the personal care routines of 70 women from Black and Latina communities. Participants were asked to document their product use by photographing the ingredient labels and submitting them through an app. The goal was to understand what chemicals these women are exposed to regularly.
The study found that more than half of the women used at least one product that contains formaldehyde or chemicals that release formaldehyde over time. These substances are widely known to be harmful and have been linked to cancer. The findings revealed that nearly 60 percent of hair care items reported by the women contained these chemicals, but they were also present in items like body soap, face cleansers, and moisturizers.
The reason this issue matters is because these women are using these products every day, often multiple times a week, increasing their exposure to harmful chemicals over time. Repeated contact with such substances, especially when applied to the skin and hair, could pose serious long-term health risks.
Researchers say identifying harmful ingredients isn’t easy. Many of the dangerous chemicals appear under different names on product labels, making it difficult for shoppers to avoid them. One commonly found chemical is DMDM hydantoin, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative that can appear harmless to the average consumer.
Some of the products that showed up repeatedly in the study came from popular brands, including several lotions from Bath & Body Works. While the company has not yet responded to questions about these findings, the products were used widely enough to raise red flags about how ingredients are regulated in the beauty industry.
This new research adds to a growing list of studies pointing to a pattern: beauty products marketed to women of color often contain more hazardous ingredients than those aimed at other groups. This raises questions about industry practices and whether companies are doing enough to ensure product safety for all consumers.
Although some countries and a few U.S. states have already banned formaldehyde in cosmetics, there is still no nationwide restriction in the United States. A proposal for a federal ban has been introduced, but it has yet to take effect. Meanwhile, advocacy groups are calling for stricter rules and clearer labeling so that people can make safer choices.
This study serves as a reminder of the health challenges faced by communities that are often overlooked. It also puts pressure on manufacturers and lawmakers to act quickly before more people are exposed to ingredients that may silently harm them over time.