Free Formaldehyde Preservative Stability in Personal Care: Part II—Formulations

Sep 8th, 2015

Michael Tallon, Ph.D., and Karen Winkowski, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Bridgewater, NJ USA; and Andrea Wingenfeld, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Memmingen, Germany

CT_Beaker_PetriDish_ClearBl

Editor's note: This two-part article examines the effects of temperature and pH on free-formaldehyde levels (as detected by C-13 NMR) first in water, then in personal care formulations.

Log in to view the full article

RIFM has submitted Safety Assessments covering approximately 200 materials for peer review, totaling 1,700 now or soon to be available.

RIFM Publishes Assessment of 1,500th Fragrance Material Marking Major Milestone

RIFM has submitted Safety Assessments covering approximately 200 materials for peer review, totaling 1,700 now or soon to be available.

The guides are regularly revised to incorporate the progress of scientific knowledge in general and the experience gained particularly in the field of testing and safety evaluation of cosmetic ingredients.

11 Changes to SCCS Guides for Cosmetics Safety Testing — Plus a Note on 'Nano'

The European Union's (EU's) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) recently updated its notes of guidance (NoG) for cosmetics and cosmetic ingredient safety testing, emphasizing alternatives to animal testing and more.

RetiLife™, the first sustainable alternative to synthetic retinol

RetiLife™, the first sustainable alternative to synthetic retinol

Givaudan unveils RetiLife™, a molecule for anti-ageing and a breakthrough evolution for the cosmetic industry. This new active ingredient is a pioneering 100% natural-origin retinol crafted through biotech.

While some (if not many) of these allegations may be unfounded or misguided, it underscores the critical role of safety and toxicity testing even under non-typical product use conditions.

Unilever, J&J, Olaplex and L'Oreal Still Treading Legal Waters Over Lilial, Benzene

Olaplex, Redken, OGX, Dove, Nexxus, Suave, Tigi and Tresemmé brands are still making headlines as they tread legal waters over alleged Lilial and benzene content. Following are recent updates.

A letter from the FDA to Valisure, dated Dec. 5, 2022, highlighted 'methodological deficiencies' and 'analytic descrepancies' in the company's testing.

FDA, Unilever and GSK Challenge Valisure's Benzene Findings, Test Methods

The FDA recently raised concerns over the test methods of Valisure, the Connecticut-based lab whose reports over benzene in sunscreen and dry shampoo products from Unilever, GSK and others have prompted recalls and class action suits.

In evaluating how different solvents may affect the rheology of personal care formulas, it is helpful to consider that different formulation types have distinct relationships between viscosity and elasticity depending on the factors generating their elastic properties.

How Natural Butylene Glycol Advances Market and Rheology Dynamics

Demand for sustainable ingredients in cosmetics and personal care is well-known. Here, a sustainable natural butylene glycol is described to advance this trend and its effects on viscosity and elasticity are assessed in five test formulas.

Avon was acquired by Natura Cosmetics SA in 2020 and that year, the company removed talc from its products marketed in the United States — at a time it was defending nearly 130 talc lawsuits.

Avon Takes a $40 M Hit in Talc/Cancer Suit

The plaintiff, 76-year-old Rita Chapman of Scottsdale, Arizona, alleged that the use of Avon's talc-containing products tainted with asbestos caused her mesothelioma.

This follows the company's recall on these products in November 2021; at that time, the company had not received any reports of adverse events following the use of these products.

P&G Pays Out $8 M in Benzene Settlement

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased Secret, Old Spice, Pantene, Waterless, Aussie, Herbal Essences or Hair Food aerosol antiperspirant, deodorant, body spray, dry shampoo or dry conditioner products between Nov. 4, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2021.

Many of the allergens identified were fragrances and other botanicals, according to ScienceAlert, which have become a leading cause of contact dermatitis.

JAMA Letter Cautions: Most 'Natural' Skin Care Contains Allergens

A Research Letter published in JAMA Dermatology highlighted the prevalence of contact allergens in natural skin care in a study of 1,651 products on the U.S. market.

Black women could be disproportionately affected, as 60% of participants who reported using hair straighteners self-identified as Black women.

Study Connects Hair Straightener Use to Incident Uterine Cancer

Hair straightening products could be linked to higher incidences of uterine cancer, a study of nearly 34,000 women in the U.S. recently found.

'...There is currently insufficient relevant and reliable scientific data to conduct realistic ERAs and there is not enough scientific data to support sunscreen ingredient bans,' wrote the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).

PCPC on NAS Report: 'Not Enough Data to Ban Sunscreens'

The Personal Care Products Council has released a statement responding to the National Academy of Sciences Report, "Review of Fate, Exposure, and Effects of Sunscreens in Aquatic Environments and Implications for Sunscreen Usage and Human Health."