A significant majority of personal care products contain chemicals not listed on their labels, according to a new study. Researchers found that 98% of the products tested had undisclosed ingredients, with 85% containing at least one chemical that could pose health risks.
The study examined 113 products from major retailers including Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Dollar Tree. Items included shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, baby care products, deodorants, and cleaning supplies. While labels listed an average of 16 ingredients, testing revealed an average of 51 chemicals per product, more than three times that number. On average, four unlisted harmful chemicals were found in each product, including fragrance components, botanical ingredients, phthalates, and parabens.
These undisclosed chemicals can have various adverse health effects. Fragrance components may irritate skin and harm the respiratory and endocrine systems. Botanical ingredients, despite their origin, can cause allergic reactions or introduce pesticides and heavy metals. Phthalates are linked to impacts on pregnancy, child development, and reproductive health, while parabens, used as preservatives, are associated with hormone disruption and increased cancer risk.
Compounding the issue, the study found that 26% of products specifically marketed as "non-toxic," "fragrance-free," or "hypoallergenic" still contained the very ingredients they claimed to avoid. For instance, many products labeled "100% natural" were found to contain synthetic chemicals, and "hypoallergenic" items included known allergens.
Researchers suggest that incomplete ingredient lists may stem from changes in manufacturing processes and regulatory loopholes. For example, some companies might intentionally add scent enhancers like allyl cyclohexylpropionate and omit them from labels. The study noted that oral care products were an exception, passing tests with flying colors, possibly because they are regulated as over-the-counter drugs rather than cosmetics.
"People shouldn’t need a chemistry lab to know what they’re bringing into their homes or putting on their skin," said author Jenny Hua. "The next generation of product safety must look beyond the label and test what is actually there."
The findings highlight substantial gaps in product transparency, indicating that ingredient labels alone are insufficient for consumers to determine product safety. The authors advocate for stricter purity standards and better enforcement across the personal care industry.