Hidden chemicals in 85% of personal-care products like shampoo: study

Key Points:

• A new study found that 98% of personal care and cleaning products tested contained undisclosed chemicals not listed on their labels, raising concerns about incomplete ingredient transparency.
• Among the products tested, 85% contained at least one chemical known to potentially harm health, including substances linked to cancer, developmental issues, and endocrine disruption.
• Products labeled as “non-toxic,” “fragrance-free,” or “hypoallergenic” were frequently found to contain the very harmful ingredients they claimed to avoid, with 26% showing such discrepancies.
• Researchers tested 113 products from major retailers, discovering an average of 51 chemicals per product despite labels listing only 16 ingredients, including unlisted fragrance components, phthalates, parabens, and botanical ingredients.
• Oral care products were the only category that consistently met safety standards, likely due to stricter regulation as over-the-counter drugs, highlighting the need for improved regulation and transparency in personal care and cleaning products.