Cosmetics Safety Warning

Cosmetics companies are using nano materials in many products despite unresolved issues about their safety.

Nanoparticles, which are many times thinner than a human hair, are used by firms including Boots, The Body Shop, Avon, Nivea and Unilever.

Many skin care products contain this technology to make them easier to apply.

But experts are concerned about their possible long-term effects on the body, Which? reports.

Which? said it approached 67 firms to ask for information about their use of nanotechnology, but only 17 replied and just 8 gave any details.

Which? warns that untested particles are being used in products without sufficient safety testing.

The consumer group said experts had questioned the safety of nano materials such as fullerenes, used in anti-ageing cream products, because of their potential toxicity if they were able to penetrate the skin.

Sue Davies of Which? said: “The government must introduce a compulsory reporting scheme for manufactured nanomaterials so we are all aware - and only those that are independently assessed as safe should be allowed to be used in cosmetics.”

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