Are Nanoparticles Safe in Beauty Products?

I am becoming alarmed by the number of new high-end skin cream using nanoparticles and had to speak up.  Nanoparticles are untested and likely to be dangerous especially when ingested or applied to the skin.  It is irresponsible of skin care companies and department stores to be marketing and selling beauty products with nanoparticles.  Someday I suspect they will be banned due to their harmful, irreversible effects on human health.

You see, once a nanoparticle enters your body, good luck finding it and getting it out.  A recent case in point is a paint factory in China that was using nanoparticles.  In August 2009, two Chinese workers at the factory died and five more young women suffered permanent lung damage from breathing in nanoparticles.  Their lungs all contained nanoparticles about 30 nanometers in diameter.

Even though they have left the factory, the five women’s lungs are still in trouble.  Why?  Because it is impossible to remove nanoparticles once they penetrate human cells.  "Their tiny diameter means that nanparticles can penetrate the body's natural barriers, particularly through contact with damaged skin or by inhalation or ingestion," said Yuguo Song from the Chaoyang Hospital in Beijing.

Once a nanoparticle goes in, it is unlikely to come out. The effect is cumulative over time, and eventually the body cannot cope. "There may be some novel mechanisms for toxicity that nanoparticles might produce," says Kevin Ausman, executive director of the Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology at Rice University.

This is why I am so mortified by the increasing presence of “luxury” nanoparticle face creams.  Using the precautionary principle, no one should use these creams.  They could do permanent damage to the unsuspecting citizens who buy them. At least 70% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your body.  If you put garlic on your feet, you will taste it in your throat within five minutes.  Would you eat nanoparticles for dinner?  If not, then let’s just say no to nanoparticles in beauty products.

Here are some of the products to avoid:

Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Cream ($420):  “Pure 24 karat gold is wrapped around silk microfibers and delivered directly to your skin”

Euoko Eye Contour Nanolift ($300):  Contains synthetic bio-engineered ingredients. The founder Dr. Rammal was previously involved in nanotechnology R&D for cosmetics with Dow Corning.

Christian Dior DiorSkin Forever Compacts and Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup:  “Inspired by nano-technology”

L’Oreal Revitalift:  Contains patented Nanosomes that “transport the Pro-Retinol A deep into the epidermis.”  L'Oréal is one of the largest nanotechnology patent holders in the US.

Lancome Renergie Morpholift  (owned by L’Oreal)

Kerastase Nutritive Oleo Fusion Treatment:  “Penetrates the hair fiber thanks to the Nano-Emulsion technology”  (owned by L’Oreal)

Sunscreens:  This is the most prevalent area of nanoparticle use to date.  According to a Friends of the Earth report, many sunscreens are adding nano-sized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide particles to provide a clear, rather than white, finish.  Offenders include Avon, Pond’s, Nivea, and The Body Shop.

Say No to Nano, Say Yes to Eco

A certain luxury department store in San Francisco told me this week, “The demand for these nanoparticle creams is high.”  Ok but so is the demand for cigarettes and guns.  This reminds me of the line General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner used to say:  “The demand for SUVs is high. We are just building the cars that people want to buy” -- regardless of their impact on the planet.  He is now out of a job.

The nano defense normally sounds like this:  “Because the particles are so small, they are absorbed much more into the skin.”  That is precisely what makes them so dangerous.  No company has studied the long-term effects of this experiment.  We need more tests and regulations now.  Companies should have to indicate on labels when their products contain nanoparticles.

It is time to stand up for human health.  Just as we can eat organic food without pesticides, we can use many ecofabulous beauty products that harness the best of nature’s rejuvenating talents.  My favorites to date are Amala, Ila, Eminence, and Jurlique.  For example, the Amala Rejuvenate Cocoa Bean Treatment Oil contains 98% organic ingredients. You don’t have to star in a horror movie to be beautiful.  You can be a natural beauty and protect your health at the same time.

For more information about nanoparticles in sunscreens, please see this Friends of the Earth report.

See also "Nanotech An Environmental Threat" posted in Popular Science on 9/28/09. It is good to know that I am not the only one worrying about this!  We will continue to follow this issue closely. 

Comments

[Smertebehandling]

thanks for sharing about it.

[Dr. Teri Dourmashkin]

Great post...enjoyed reading it. As you mention, nano-particles are the biggest rage in skin care right now, and their safety data has not been substantiated.