The OCU warns of the presence of toxins in these popular mascaras

European laws prohibit the intentional presence of nickel and formaldehyde in cosmetic products, but their trace presence is allowed, in minimal amounts. Nickel is a metal that can trigger irritations and allergies, and formaldehyde is a compound classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization. An analysis by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has discovered these two elements that are dangerous to health in three products out of the 14 tested.

These are the three mascaras that contain toxic

Products that contain nickel or formaldehyde, according to the OCU, are:

Maxfactor Divine Lashes, nickel in an amount of 8 ppm (parts per million)Deliplus Maxi Volume, from Mercadona, nickel at 6 ppm.Chanel LeVolume, formaldehyde at 12 ppm.

In the opinion of the OCU, these amounts are excessive and therefore has requested the intervention of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS). The consumer organization advises that these products should not be used daily and should be avoided if you have a sensitivity or allergy.

On the other hand, the OCU also warns that 7 of the 14 masks analyzed are sold unsealed, which is a risk in a product that is applied very close to the eye.

In addition, many of these products sold with double packaging (the product itself and a cardboard box) which represents a waste of resources. And in some cases it is not possible to take advantage of all the content due to poor packaging design.

Why are toxic like nickel and formaldehyde found in cosmetics?

Nickel is an impurity that is often found in pigments of mineral origin used in mascara.

Formaldehyde is released when ingredients that contain it, such as approved preservatives, break down. DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, and diazolidinyl urea, commonly used in conventional cosmetic products.

Although nickel and formaldehyde are prohibited as such in cosmetics due to their danger, the regulations allow for traces when they are due to the technical impossibility of completely eliminating them or when they appear inadvertently in the product.

According to the most recent regulations approved by the European Commission (Regulation (EU) 2022/1181), since July 2022, the maximum threshold “allowed” as an involuntary trace for formaldehyde is 0.001% of the product, or what is the same , 10 parts per million. If this quantity is exceeded, the product must indicate on the label “formaldehyde free”.

Brands must ensure that the products marketed comply with this regulation, although they may abide by the previous rule with an upper limit (0.05% of the product) until July 2026.

What can be done to avoid these toxins in cosmetics?

It is not possible to carry out an analysis of the products we acquire. Therefore, the only way to avoid these toxins as much as possible is to choose Certified natural cosmetics that essentially use vegetable raw materials.

Preservatives that can release formaldehyde are prohibited by certifying regulations such as Ecocert, BDIH, Natrue, Cosmos, AIAB, etc.