Every morning, millions of women around the world begin their day with the usual ritual: wash their face, apply cream, open their makeup bag and prepare their face for the new day. It's hard to imagine that something so mundane, almost intimate, could contain a threat. However, an alarming question is increasingly being raised in scientific and journalistic circles: could some popular cosmetic products actually be associated with an increased risk of skin problems?
The reason for a new wave of discussions was the high-profile analytical report of the research group, which caused a storm of emotions. It claimed that the widely used feminine product - a product found in almost every beauty bag - could be associated with a 40% risk of developing skin tumors among those who use it regularly over many years.
To figure out where this frightening figure comes from and how justified it is, we talked with Dr. Sergey Lavrentiev, a dermatologist, a specialist in skin photobiology and an expert in the safety of cosmetics.
The interview turned out to be long, deep and, most importantly, honest.
“Scare percentages always require double checking.”
— Dr. Lavrentyev, recently there has been a lot of discussion about a research group’s statement that a popular cosmetic product, used by about 90% of women, can cause skin problems in 40% of regular users. How realistic is this figure?
“Any such drastic statements require caution. The figure of 40% sounds incredibly high for cancer statistics, and, frankly, it cannot be considered as a confirmed fact. But something else is important: such reports raise questions that are long overdue. They force us to reconsider the composition of familiar products, check the mechanisms of their interaction with the skin, and recalculate the risks.
The researchers who published this data worked with a sample of women who consistently used the same type of cosmetic product. This does not mean that there is a direct causal mechanism. But this means that there is reason for in-depth analysis.
"Components that work differently than they seem"
— So the problem is not in the product itself, but in individual substances?
- That's right. Women's cosmetics are a complex cocktail of chemistry. One bottle can contain up to 20–40 components. Some of them are inert, others are active, others interact with each other, sometimes unpredictably.
Today, the most suspect substances are those that react to ultraviolet light. According to one hypothesis, it is precisely these compounds that, when left on the skin for many hours in a row, can change the state of cells.
For example, certain preservatives and flavorings in the presence of sunlight can form compounds that irritate the epidermis or increase photosensitivity of the skin.
But let me emphasize again: this hypothesis , not a proven fact.
“We are seeing an increase in skin sensitivity, and this is an alarming signal”
— If a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established, why is the public reaction so violent?
— Because we are already observing alarming trends. In recent years, the number of complaints about photodermatitis, sun intolerance, and chronic skin inflammation after applying decorative cosmetics has increased significantly.
If previously increased skin sensitivity was a problem for certain groups, now it has become a mass phenomenon. And when mass production intersects with the popularity of a familiar product, questions arise.
People tend to look for explanations. Researchers look for patterns. And if large samples provide even a statistical correlation, it is important to treat it carefully.
"Lead candidate: decorative product that is used daily"
— Is it possible to say what kind of product we are talking about? The public discusses everything from foundation to antiperspirants.
— According to ethical standards, we can only discuss categories, not specific brands. But I will say this: we are talking about a decorative product that is applied to the facial part of the skin and is used by most women every day for many years.
This product does not cause suspicion from the point of view of short-term toxicity - it does not cause burns, leaves no traces, and does not act as an aggressive irritant. That is why it has become so widespread.
The problem is different: duration, regularity and influence of external factors , especially solar radiation.
"Interval, cumulative, photochemical reaction"
“You speak as if there is something indirect in the mechanism of possible danger.”
- That's right. This is not “smeared and sick.” This is - hypothetically - a long chain of interactions:
- the product is applied daily;
- accumulates in the pores or upper layer of the epidermis;
- upon contact with ultraviolet radiation over the course of years, decomposition products are formed;
- these products affect skin cells.
Again, this is a hypothetical model, but it requires study. Currently, laboratories in different countries are conducting experiments with photochemical reactions of cosmetic compounds. And some of the results are truly alarming.
“Why are women especially vulnerable?”
— Why does this problem potentially affect women specifically, and not all people?
— The fact is that women more often use decorative cosmetics daily and for decades. Men - less often, irregularly and in smaller quantities. If the product in question has been applied daily for 20-30 years, this is already a factor that cannot be ignored.
In addition, women's skin is thinner in some areas, dries out more easily and reacts more quickly to photodamage. The combination of regular cosmetics and the sun creates unique conditions that need to be explored.
“Why did the figure of 40% arise?”
— Let's return to the most frightening number. Where did it come from?
- This is not an absolute indicator , but the result of statistical processing within a specific study. It compared two large groups of women over time. The group that used the same product daily did experience an increased incidence of skin lesions.
But it is important to understand:
- the study did not take into account hereditary factors;
- did not monitor the quality of skin care;
- did not differentiate between skin types;
- did not study the influence of climate, sun intensity and other important parameters.
That is, the figure “40%” - not a diagnosis , and alarm , indicating that you should continue studying.
“What should we do now? Should I be afraid or should I act?
- So what should an ordinary woman do? Throwing makeup? Afraid of the sun?
- Under no circumstances should you panic. The cosmetics industry is huge and most products are safe when used correctly. The main thing is awareness.
My advice:
- read the ingredients carefully;
- choose trusted brands with transparent certification;
- reduce time spent in the sun during peak hours;
- use products with SPF;
- Give your skin rest at least a few days a week.
And the most important thing is to trust not scary headlines, but reliable information.
“The main thing is to take care of yourself, and not live in fear.”
— It turns out that the main goal of the discussion is not to intimidate, but to warn?
- Absolutely true. We do not need to disturb people, but to raise the level of awareness. Skin is an organ that reacts to everything: chemicals, stress, sun, age. And if a mass product raises questions, it is better to ask these questions now than in 20 years.
Conclusion
A modern woman is surrounded by a huge amount of care products, and the world of beauty has long ceased to be just aesthetics - it has become part of a lifestyle. But any lifestyle requires attention and knowledge.
Discussing the risks associated with everyday products does not mean that those products are inherently dangerous. It means that humanity is at the next stage of scientific understanding. And if such research causes controversy, emotions, protests and new study, then we are moving in the right direction.
Let every new report, every hypothesis and every scientific discussion not frighten us, but make us more attentive to ourselves. Because skin health is not fear or refusal of the usual, but the ability to choose, understand and listen to your body. And the more we know, the calmer and more confident we can live in a world where beauty and safety go hand in hand.
