A study examined what is really in personal care products – and the results are troubling

Shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, sunscreen, baby lotion, and laundry products are just some of the items we bring into our homes and use routinely. Usually, those who want to know what they contain turn to the ingredient list on the packaging. However, a new study published in the journal "Environment & Health" indicates that this list does not always reflect all the substances actually present in the product.

Researchers examined 113 personal care and cleaning products sold in major chains and shopping websites in the United States. Instead of looking only for a pre-defined list of substances, they used a method that allows for a broader scan of the product to identify the chemical substances contained within it.

The results were striking: in 98% of the products, at least one substance was found that did not appear on the label. Furthermore, in 85%, at least one undeclared substance was found that the researchers defined as known or suspected to be dangerous to health. More than a quarter of the products also contained substances that seemingly do not align with marketing claims, such as "100% natural" or "hypoallergenic."

Jenna Hua, an environmental health researcher and one of the study's authors, explained the problem from the consumer's perspective: "We found harmful substances that were not disclosed in products that claimed they did not contain them."

According to her, even a consumer who invests time in reading the packaging might not get the full picture. "This means that someone can carefully read the ingredient list, choose 'clean' products, and still be exposed to exactly the substances they were trying to avoid." Hua added: "The label cannot protect you when it does not show what is really inside the bottle."

One of the groups the study focused on is substances that may disrupt the hormonal system. Simply put, hormones are a kind of "messenger" in the body that help regulate a long series of processes, and certain substances are capable of mimicking their activity or interfering with it.

Previous studies have examined possible links between exposure to hormone-disrupting substances and various health problems. The current study, however, did not test whether the use of the products examined actually caused illness or health damage. It focused on identifying the substances found inside the products. Therefore, it is impossible to conclude from the findings that a specific product is dangerous to use just because a substance was found in it that did not appear on the packaging. The degree of risk depends, among other things, on the type of substance, its amount, the method of exposure, and the duration of exposure.

Researchers do not claim that all substances missing from the ingredient list were added to the products intentionally. One possibility is contamination that occurred during production, packaging, or storage. Another possibility is that new substances are created following chemical reactions between ingredients already present in the product.

In addition, the researchers note that in some cases, manufacturers are not required to detail every substance separately. For example, under a general definition like "perfume" or fragrance materials, various substances can be included that are not detailed one-by-one on the packaging.

"People shouldn't need a chemistry lab to know what they are bringing into their home or applying to their skin," said Hua. According to her, safety tests should examine not only what is written on the packaging, but also what is actually in the finished product.