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Aldrin V. Gomes

Heavy Metals in Kids' Makeup: Risks and Regulatory Insights

Updated: Jul 30


As social media is now readily accessible to younger audiences, exposure to societal pressures for young girls to wear makeup has increased. Influencers as young as 12 promote the merits of skincare and cosmetics in "get ready with me videos." One study found that 80% of 10-12 year-olds have used makeup. Even younger girls, from the age of 3, watch these videos and want to follow suit, with 57% of girls under the age of 3 having used makeup before (Medley et. al). Products such as retinols, serums, and various other products are meant for older audiences who have wrinkles and damaged skin, which are not a concern for young children. In the US, an estimated 60% of women use eye cosmetics (Norris et. al). Children who watch adults put on makeup every day often feel the need to do the same. Parents, hoping to save money or encourage their children to play with toys and not grow up too quickly, might buy "toy makeup" marketed for children. These products, however, do not fall under the standard safety rules of adult cosmetics. Due to this loophole, companies don't have to ensure that their products are low in toxic products, and some don't check the levels of harmful amounts of toxic metals in their products. This lack of oversight and regulation has exposed some of the most vulnerable consumers to toxic products.

 

What do Studies Show?


One study found that 10% of the 52 toy makeup products tested contained over 5 ppm (parts per million) of metals like chromium, nickel, cadmium, lead, and arsenic while the allowable amount measured is less than 1 ppm (Norris et. al). This 400% increase in heavy metals from the permitted amount would never be allowed in cosmetics intended for adults, and should not be acceptable in those produced for developing children, who are more susceptible to the side effects of the chemicals.

In another study, 90% of the samples tested exceeded the legal limits for at least one toxic element. Excessive amounts of several metals pose a cancer risk, especially when used on the thinnest parts of the skin, like the eyes and lips (Mercan et. al). Additionally, the use of harmful cosmetics poses a greater risk for developing brains and increases the risk of brain damage (Somaye et. al). The consequences of not regulating children's play toys could prove detrimental to both mental and physical long-term development.

 

Socio-Economic Effect


While exposure to toxins poses a health risk for all children, it may be an even greater concern for those who are socio-economically disadvantaged. Children from wealthier backgrounds are increasingly shopping in beauty supply stores intended for adult consumers (Khalid et. al) and purchasing products from cosmetic lines manufactured for adults. These cosmetics fall under established regulations but are expensive. Classmates and followers from less wealthy families may choose the cheaper alternatives and inadvertently bear more of the risk from toxic exposure. The US FDA estimates that of the 12,500 chemicals used in cosmetics, only 20% are safe, and according to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) review, only 11 are banned in the US (Mohiuddin). This lack of regulation creates an unfair impact on already disadvantaged children.

 

Worldwide Effect


The problem of metals and toxins in children's cosmetics is not exclusive to the United States. Of the beauty products tested and available for purchase on the Korean market, seven had chromium contents above the detection limit of 0.1 ppm (0.1 μg/mL), ranging from 0.2 to 3.15 ppm (Hwang et. al). Hence, in addition to the need for greater oversight of domestically produced cosmetics, there is a need for greater visibility of the ingredients found in cosmetic products on a global scale. Cosmetics produced domestically and internationally must be tested for toxic components and held to a higher standard of purity. Children in all parts of the world should be protected from exposure to toxic metals and contaminants. Although there are difficulties in developing and enforcing a single global standard for toxins, it will be impossible to eliminate pollutants from products sold in the United States unless they are also limited in countries where these cosmetics are manufactured. Regulating toxins may have the added benefit of lowering the risks of exposure-linked illnesses for workers who manufacture these products.

 

Conclusion


Beauty influencers have created an increased demand for cosmetic products for young children, and a lack of product regulations has allowed a profit-driven industry to capitalize on this new consumer market. The intersection between these two spaces is alarming to the health and development of young consumers. The significant quantity of toxic metals in these items has led to a need to implement rules to protect children and prioritize their health ahead of financial gain. Advocacy on this issue is crucial; it is necessary to educate parents, role models, and lawmakers to have higher standards and more transparency in manufacturing children's cosmetics. Raising awareness and creating a conversation around this problem may aid in lowering the health risks resulting from exposure to these harmful chemicals. However, there is hope: through advocacy and informed user research, there can be a significant positive change in the cosmetic industry in the near future.

 

Written by Sasha Campbell and edited by Aldrin V. Gomes, PhD

 

References


Hwang M, Yoon EK, Kim JY, Son BK, Yang SJ, Yun MO, Choi SS, Jang DD, Yoo TM. 2009a. Safety assessment of chromium by exposure from cosmetic products. Archives of Pharmacal Research. 32(2):235–241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-009-1228-8.


Hwang M, Yoon EK, Kim JY, Son BK, Yang SJ, Yun MO, Choi SS, Jang DD, Yoo TM. 2009b. Safety assessment of chromium by exposure from cosmetic products. Archives of Pharmacal Research. 32(2):235–241.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-009-1228-8.


Kader Mohiuddin A. 2019. Heavy Metals in Cosmetics: The Notorious Daredevils and Burning Health Issues. American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research. 4(5):332–337. https://doi.org/10.34297/ajbsr.2019.04.000829.


Norris MR, Bielory L. 2018. Cosmetics and ocular allergy. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 18(5):404–410. https://doi.org/10.1097/aci.0000000000000474.


Safavi S, Najarian R, Rasouli-Azad M, Masoumzadeh S, Ghaderi A, Eghtesadi R. 2019. A narrative review of heavy metals in cosmetics; health risks. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 11(4). https://doi.org/10.31838/ijpr/2019.11.04.031.


Selda Mercan, Mihriban Dilan Kilic, Simge Zengin, Murat Yayla. 2024. Experimental study for inorganic and organic profiling of toy makeup products: Estimating the potential threat to child health. Environmental science and pollution research international. 31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33362-2.


Medley, E. A., Kruchten, K. E., Spratlen, M. J., Ureño, M., Cole, A., Joglekar, R., & Herbstman, J. B. 2023. Usage of Children's Makeup and Body Products in the United States and Implications for Childhood Environmental Exposures. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(3), 2114. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032114

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