New research at George Mason University’s College of Public Health has found that children who use skincare products have higher levels of endocrine-disrupting phthalates and phthalate-replacement compounds in their urine.

These chemicals are used as carriers for active ingredients in certain skincare products and plastic packaging, and early childhood exposure to them has been associated with neurodevelopmental, reproductive and metabolic disorders.

The first-of-its-kind study collected medical data from 630 children between four and eight from ten different sites across the US. Parents were asked to complete a survey regarding sociodemographic information and the skincare products – such as lotions, hair oils, conditioners, ointments and sunscreen – that had been applied to the childrens’ skin in the 24 hours prior to the examination.

“We found associations between recent use of different skincare products and higher concentrations of phthalate and phthalate-replacement compounds,” explained primary investigator, professor Michael S Bloom, from the Department of Global and Community Health at the college. “There were different relationships between the use of skincare products and the endocrine-disrupting chemicals in children depending on their racial and ethnic identities and their sex assigned at birth. We also found that distinct patterns of using multiple skincare products were predictive of higher concentrations of phthalates and phthalate replacements.

“The results can inform policies to address the use of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in skincare products that may be used on children”

“This is the first study to suggest that different skincare products used by young children may differentially increase exposure to endocrine-disrupting phthalates and phthalate replacements in young children.”

The results also suggest that children in different racial and ethnic groups may experience different levels of risk for exposure to phthalates. The highest levels of phthalates and phthalate replacements were found in the urine of non-Hispanic Black participants which may have been due to brand availability and preferences, methods and timing of application, and/or the frequency of use by children with different racial and ethnic identities.

“The results can inform policies to address the use of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in skincare products that may be used on children and to help advise parents’ decisions about using products to limit their children’s exposure to potential developmental toxicants,” concludes Bloom.

Photo: Michael S Bloom by Michelle Thompson/College of Public Health