Roselyne Bachelot, French minister of Health, is evaluating the risks posed by cosmetics during pregnancy and for children. The aim is to research the toxicity of certain chemical substances, such as phthalates and parabens.
"I would like to investigate, in partnership with the industry, the possibility of putting a logo on products that may be reproductively toxic indicating that they are not recommended for use by pregnant women and young children" said Roselyne Bachelot on Nov 26 during a symposium held in Paris.
The French cosmetics industry only uses one phthalate: diethylphthalate or DEP, as well as 4 parabens: methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-parabens. How bad are they for our health, especially for pregnant women and young children? Do they have effects on female and male reproductive organs?
What are phthalates and parabens?
Phthalates and Parabens are industrial chemicals that are used in many cosmetics. They have been used for years in hair products, deodorants, body lotions, fragrances and nail polishes, and so on. Phthalates are used as fragrance ingredients, plasticizers and solvents, whereas Parabens are preservatives.
There is no 'reliable evidence' that these chemicals have ever caused a health problem for a human. But some suggest these chemical families may increase the risk of birth defects, declining sperm, deformities in babies, and cancers. The problem is all about the cumulative effect of these chemicals, that can be very toxic.
What about North America?
France is a leader in terms of cosmetics safety compared to North America. For instance, a 2003 European Union directive bans phthalates in cosmetics sold in Europe, but U.S. and Canadian regulators have not been so proactive. Phthalates family is not regulated in the US and Canada. Only one state regulates the use of some phthalates: the State of California.
Josephine Toulemonde is a digestive care and nutritional product advisor as well as a web journalist specialized in skin health.
Today she is developing her own personal natural skin care recipes and has trained in different aspects of natural remedies. She created http://www.optiderma.com in 2008, a natural skin care guide for people who suffer from skin conditions. It includes skin remedies, articles on skin health, interviews with skin experts, testimonials, homemade recipes for skin, books, etc.
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