Skin care

7 Beauty Ingredients That Are Illegal…Just Not in the US

If you think European beauty products are better, you might be right -- or at least the ingredients in cosmetics might be better for you. Read on to find out why

by Dawn Davis

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Oxybenzone Most chemical sunscreens contain oxybenzone -- not to be confused with similarly named avobenzone. However, the EWG has labeled it a "hormone disrupter" (an ingredient that's linked to fertility problems, obesity, and more), and it was last reviewed by the FDA more than 30 years ago. While the research is inconclusive, it's important to note that in the European Union products that contain more than .5 percent oxybenzone need to be clearly labeled "contains oxybenzone" so shoppers can avoid it if they're concerned.

Some sunscreen brands have caught on and are offering oxybenzone-free alternatives. Try Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 50, $40, if you're looking for a chemical-based SPF that doesn't include the ingredient. For a more natural approach, opt for a mineral sunscreen like Yes to Cucumbers Natural Sunscreen SPF 30, $14.99, which contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

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Older comments

Good to know.

by caitlin_bickel Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 02:52PM Report as inappropriate

I hate that they do this to us in the US.

by tiffany_gallehugh Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 12:42PM Report as inappropriate

Liked. Too bad didn't name some common examples

by Dee Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 11:45AM Report as inappropriate

That's a lot of chemicals but I don't believe they are harmful in just cosmetics because they r such small amounts

by kfloyd01 Friday, May 10, 2013 at 09:19AM Report as inappropriate

Contrary to popular belief, oxybenzone is actually good for your skin. It's non-phototoxic (doesn’t cause skin reactions in the presence of sunlight). Trace amounts of oxybenzone can be absorbed into the bloodstream via topical application but is readily metabolized and excreted in the urine. Benzephenone is a substance found in plants that have been shown to actually kill cancer cells. Some benzophenones have been shown to have estrogenic properties and anti-dihydrotestosterone after being fed or injected to rats or applied to rat cells in lab dish, whereas benzophenone itself was shown to have no effect at all. There is research showing it is not linked to estrogenic activity. There is one study that showed it stimulated breast cancer cells in vitro (meaning in a lab dish). But that is vastly different from how oxybenzone is used in sunscreens. Oxybenzone was not shown to have hormone-disrupting effects when used as directed in permitted concentrations. Research to the contrary has been disproven by the European Union’s Scientific Committee for Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers, which is why oxybenzone is still permitted as a viable sunscreen throughout the European Union. In fact, the EU’s usage level for oxybenzone is higher than what is permitted in the United States (10% vs. 6% maximum). Later research on this topic has either been in-vitro or has focused on controlled doses of benzophenones given to fish, which isn’t representative of how these chemicals are used by people.

by hiddenexpose Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 01:42PM Report as inappropriate

I appreciate the fact that the article is balanced regarding the ingredients that are not yet proven safe or unsafe.

by AstridB Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 01:18AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the info.

by Alana_Danes Friday, April 26, 2013 at 07:57AM Report as inappropriate

One of my my creams have hydroquinone in it, good to know.

by nicky22 Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 07:11PM Report as inappropriate

It was a great article showing some alternatives...although I think some are not as bad as others.

by CinnaBlaze Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 06:56PM Report as inappropriate

It's a shame that these ingredients are still being sold if they're harmful.

by Monique3 Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 06:27PM Report as inappropriate