The impact of perfumes and cosmetic products on human health: a narrative review.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic methodology or quantitative synthesis
PubMed 40949028 · doi:10.3389/ftox.2025.1646075
What was done
A narrative review of interdisciplinary literature published between 2005 and 2024 evaluating the potential health risks of perfumes and cosmetic products. The review assessed evidence on specific compounds (including phthalates, parabens, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals) and their relationships to reproductive health, respiratory conditions, cancer risk, allergies, dermatological disorders, endocrine disruption, and neurological outcomes.
What was found
The abstract provides no quantitative data or specific numerical risk estimates. It qualitatively reports that common synthetic chemicals and heavy metals in personal care products are linked to allergic reactions, respiratory problems, endocrine disruption, reproductive impairment, and potential carcinogenic risks. The authors note that the cumulative effects of concurrent and chronic exposures to multiple cosmetic ingredients remain poorly characterized.
Why it matters
Synthesizes broad concerns regarding long-term chemical exposures from daily cosmetic and fragrance use, highlighting gaps in regulatory oversight and cumulative risk assessment.
Limits
The publication is a narrative review rather than a systematic review; it lacks standardized search criteria, study selection protocols, and formal risk-of-bias assessments. The abstract reports no quantitative effect estimates, dose-response relationships, or sample sizes.
Cited by
- supports Chemical ingredients under the labels 'perfume' or 'fragrance' in personal care and cleaning products are not legally required to be tested for safety or toxicity before being sold.