As our largest organ, our skin is the first line of defence against contaminants. It absorbs and reacts to everything it encounters, from sunlight and wind to chemicals in skincare, drugs, and cleaning products, such as those we encounter daily.
It is vital, therefore, that the understanding of chemicals’ effects on skin health is continually updated as environmental factors and chemicals change and develop over time. In this article, we look at some commonly encountered chemicals that may be present in consumer products or drugs and may impact the health of our skin. We also look a little deeper into how they interact with the cells in our body and the testing methods companies such as Gentronix employ to ensure their safety.
Common chemicals that impact skin health
We use various everyday products without thinking every day that could potentially harm our skin. Some of these can include:
- Parabens and Phthalates are often used as preservatives in cosmetic treatments, including shampoos and skin care products. They can disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking hormones and altering physiological processes.
- Formaldehyde (including Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives—FRPs)—These are also present in some personal care products. They can cause irritation and have been linked with cancer and allergies.
- PFAS (Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.) – These are known as forever chemicals. Whilst they provide durability and water resistance in cosmetics, they can also disrupt hormones and pose significant health risks, including cancer.
- Ethanolamines—These are found in cleaning products and cosmetics and can be linked to liver tumours and the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. Examples of these are MEA, DEA, and TEA.
Going deeper than the surface – molecular impacts.
When chemicals such as these penetrate the skin, they can interact with us on a molecular level. This means that they interact with cells in a manner that could disrupt their normal function. They can change the ways in which cells grow and mutate, and they can impact our genes.
This is why extensive testing is vital for any chemicals released into the environment, whether for cosmetic purposes, drug treatments, or environmental products.
What testing is available?
Two methods of testing are standard in drug or product development. These include:
- In vitro testing, reconstructed skin, models, and cell cultures assess whether chemicals irritate or corrode cells.
- In vivo testing – these are aimed at the observation of broader systemic effects, as well as skin sensitisation.
Within each method are batteries of tests that can help assess a compound’s deeper impact on a person.
New Developments
There are now consistent enhancements that improve the ability of researchers and developers to ensure that the products they are developing are safe. There is also a large push towards moving away from animal testing methods and using created compounds that mimic human skin effectively, providing a more ethical testing method. Furthermore, there is a push for better product labelling to ensure consumers know what they are putting on, perhaps under their skin.
Anyone involved in product development must implement robust testing practices to ensure the safety of the products they aim to release into the market. By employing tests in accordance with regulatory requirements, consumers can have confidence that the products they purchase should not have a detrimental impact on their skin and what lies beneath it.