Formaldehyde in Cosmetic Products: Safety Tests

Why is Formaldehyde Important in Cosmetics?

What is Formaldehyde and What is its Role in Cosmetic Products?

Formaldehyde is a volatile, colorless and pungent smelling gas. Formaldehyde, which is gaseous at room temperature, is a chemical molecule. It is used in cosmetic products in aqueous form. The reasons for the use of formaldehyde in cosmetic products are its antimicrobial, denaturing and preservative properties.

It is generally used in cosmetic products for the following purposes:

Preservative Effect: Formaldehyde helps inhibit microbial growth in cosmetic products due to its antimicrobial properties. It is therefore used as a preservative in products such as some shampoos, skin care creams, lotions and disinfectants.
Product Stability: Formaldehyde helps to extend the shelf life of products and ensures the stability of the formulation.
Use in Hair and Skin Products: Some hair care products, especially hair straightening products, may contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing ingredients. This is used to help straighten or style hair.

Health Effects of Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde has toxic and carcinogenic properties, making its presence in cosmetic products a major health hazard. Here are some potential health effects of formaldehyde:

Skin and Eye Irritation: Formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions, redness and irritation when it comes into contact with the skin. It can also irritate the eyes and cause pain in the eyes.
Respiratory Irritation: Inhalation of formaldehyde can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, coughing and respiratory diseases such as asthma. This is particularly common at high concentrations and with prolonged exposure.
Cancer Risk: Formaldehyde is a compound that can cause cancer through long-term exposure. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.
Allergic Reactions: Formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms such as allergic dermatitis and rashes can be seen especially on the skin.

Determination of Formaldehyde in Cosmetic Products: Why is it Important?

Determining the presence of formaldehyde in cosmetic products is of great importance for several reasons:

Consumer Health: Since formaldehyde is a component that can cause serious health problems, it is necessary to control its level in cosmetic products. Determining the amount of formaldehyde in products is a critical step to ensure the safety of consumers.
Regulatory Compliance: Many countries prohibit the presence of formaldehyde in cosmetic products in excess of a certain amount. Regulatory bodies such asthe European Union and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) limit the use of formaldehyde in cosmetic products.
Quality Control: For cosmetic products to be safe and of high quality, manufacturers need to know the exact amounts of all ingredients in their products. Formaldehyde tests are carried out to determine whether the products comply with quality standards.

It is used for antimicrobial and protective purposes because it prevents the growth of microorganisms on the skin. However, formaldehyde is recognized as a strong allergen and carcinogen (class A according to DIMDI). If a cosmetic product contains more than 500 ppm (0.05%) formaldehyde, it must be indicated on the label and the amount of formaldehyde must not exceed the limit.

Formaldehyde is especially used in nail care products such as nail polish. In Europe, formaldehyde is classified as a category 1B CMR substance, i.e. a banned substance, under Regulation (EU) 2019/8311 published by the European Commission in May 2019 amending Annexes II, III and V of the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Formaldehyde Determination in Cosmetic Products. We also provide services in Methyl Alcohol Determination in Cologne.

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