Overview

• A study found that over half of Black and Latina women in South Los Angeles use personal care products containing formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, which are known human carcinogens.
• Researchers identified these chemicals in a wide range of items, including shampoo, body soap, lotions, and eyelash glue, many of which are applied daily or multiple times per week.
• DMDM hydantoin was the most common formaldehyde-releasing preservative, present in 47% of skincare products and 58% of hair products analyzed in the study.
• The study utilized a community-based approach, with participants tracking product use via a smartphone app that captured ingredient labels for analysis.
• Advocates and researchers are urging mandatory warning labels and federal bans on formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, citing regulatory gaps and disproportionate health impacts on women of color.