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News:Publications

IARC classifies Butyraldehyde in Group 2B

On March 27, 2026, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced the publication in The Lancet Oncology of the results of its assessment of the carcinogenicity of Butyraldehyde, a fragrance ingredient.

Two new standards for SPF measurement

The two long-awaited new standards, alternatives to ISO 24444 for measuring SPF in cosmetic products, were published on 19 December 2024. They are now available in the International Organization for Standardization’s online shop.

A study questions the safety of "dermatological" cosmetics

A recent French study, published in the Journal Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie - FMC, scrutinised the INCI lists of cosmetics used in dermatology. The results: only 15% of them were free of ingredients of concern to the target population.

Essential oils: EDQDM publishes a revised version of its Guidance

The EDQM (European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare), a body of the Council of Europe, has just published the second version of its “Guidance on essential oils in cosmetic products”, a reference document on best practices for safety assessment.

IARC classifies Methyl eugenol in Group 2A and Isoeugenol in Group 2B

On 13 September 2024, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) published Volume 134 of its Monographs, with the results of its evaluation of the carcinogenicity of Methyl Eugenol and Isoeugenol, two fragrance ingredients commonly used in cosmetics.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Sunlight May Enhance Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles skin penetration

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The majority of scientific studies on Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles, used in cosmetic products and especially in sunscreens, conclude that they remai...

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Sunscreen's unintended consequence: skin-harming oxidants

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Chlorine in swimming pools can strip the coating off titanium dioxide nanoparticles in sunscreens that protect against UV radiation, leaving them able...

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Do nanoparticles penetrate the skin?

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Research by scientists at the University of Bath (UK) is challenging claims that nanoparticles in medicated and cosmetic creams are able to transport ...

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Triclosan may impair muscle function

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Triclosan, an antibacterial chemical widely used in hand soaps and other personal-care products, hinders muscle contractions at a cellular level, slow...

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Nano-ingredients toxicity: studies and convergences

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Obviously, some topics are more topical than others. Nano-ingredients are but an example. As a proof, several studies have been recently released, all...

Monday, January 9, 2012

Aluminium-Breast cancer: the issue is raised again

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The debate was thought to be over and aluminium salts totally uncorrelated with the development of breast cancer. A study conducted by researchers at ...

Monday, October 31, 2011

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles: a danger for the brain

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Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles are used in consumer goods such as paints, self-cleaning coatings, medicines or cosmetics. They are often present in su...

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

New cosmetic surfactants?

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Soapy solutions that give a foam, nothing extraordinary; a soap foam stable for several months, even at 60°C (14°F), it is a bit more. Especially when...

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Phthalates-based cosmetics are fattening

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Almost every day, a piece of information is incriminating the endocrine disruptors, chemicals able to counter balance the smooth functioning of our ho...

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Skin diseases and allergies: a genetic factor involved?

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Since several years, it is known that genetic mutations of filaggrin (a protein involved in the skin barrier formation) may be the cause for skin dise...

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Alert: Triclocarban in shower gels!

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Already under scrutiny after several surveys targeted its safety, Triclocarban, a preservative used in washing gels and deodorants, is once more warne...

Friday, January 28, 2011

Why are cosmetics becoming less efficient?

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You've probably noticed that, at least once. One day --a gloomy one, for sure!-- this product that you like so much, this lotion, this shampoo, this m...