Hidden Dangers in Your Bathroom Cabinet? Study Reveals Carcinogens in Everyday Products Used by Women of Color

It’s a morning ritual for millions: a shower with fragrant soap and shampoo, followed by lotion, perhaps some makeup, or a leave-in conditioner. But what if those everyday products, designed to make us feel clean and confident, were silently exposing us to a known cancer-causing chemical? For many women, particularly Black and Latina women, a startling new study suggests this isn’t just a hypothetical – it’s a daily reality. And like many, you might be shocked at how severe and widespread the problem appears to be.

The research, published just this Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, brings some uncomfortable truths to light. Scientists from the Silent Spring Institute found that more than half of Black and Latina women who participated in their Los Angeles-based study regularly used personal care products containing formaldehyde or chemicals that release it.

What the Study Found

Over the course of a week, 64 women meticulously photographed the ingredient lists of every personal care product they used – from soaps, lotions, and shampoos to skin lighteners, eyeliners, and eyelash glue. The results? A concerning 53% of participants reported using products containing formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs). These are toxins scientifically recognized to cause cancer in humans.

“It’s really concerning that we are intentionally putting chemicals that release a carcinogen into our products that we apply to ourselves every day,” stated lead author Robin Dodson, associate director of research at Silent Spring Institute. She bluntly added, “Formaldehyde is a great preservative. That’s why it’s used as an embalming fluid. And we do have to remember formaldehyde is a carcinogen.”

The study is one of the first to show just how common these chemicals are across a wide array of beauty and personal care items, not just in specific treatments like hair relaxers, which have previously been under scrutiny. One participant, for instance, used three different products containing these chemicals: a leave-in conditioner, a rinse-off conditioner, and a body wash. Another washed her hands with a soap containing formaldehyde-releasers, an average of twice a day.

Formaldehyde: The Preservative with a Dark Side

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. In personal care products, it’s used to prevent microbial growth, extending the shelf life of items. However, its health risks are well-documented. Beyond being a carcinogen, the FDA notes it can cause rashes and sicken those who breathe it in.

The Hidden Culprits: Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (FRPs)

Here’s where it gets tricky for consumers. Products rarely list “formaldehyde” directly on the label if they use an FRP. Instead, these preservatives are listed by their own complex chemical names, slowly releasing formaldehyde over time. As Dodson noted, these names don’t exactly roll off the tongue, making them hard for the average person to spot.

Know Your Labels: Chemicals to Watch For

So, what should you be looking for? Based on the NPR report of the study and other expert sources like the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, here are some names to be aware of:

Specifically Mentioned in Relation to the Study:

• Formaldehyde (itself, though rarely listed if an FRP is used)
• DMDM Hydantoin (full name: 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin – this was the most common FRP found in the recent study)

Other Common Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives Found in Cosmetics:

• Quaternium-15 (often considered highly sensitizing)
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
• Bronopol (also known as 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol)
• Polyoxymethylene urea
• 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
• Glyoxal
• Benzylhemiformal
• Methenamine
• (Ethylenedioxy)dimethanol (EDDM)
• Tris(hydroxymethyl) nitromethane (Tris Nitro)

A Disproportionate Burden on Women of Color

The study focused on Black and Latina women because previous research has indicated they often face higher exposure to formaldehyde, particularly through hair and nail products. Researchers have even questioned whether the frequent use of chemical hair straighteners containing formaldehyde-releasing agents could contribute to the disproportionately higher rates of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers among Black women compared to white women.

The sheer number of products used was also striking – an average of 17 different products a day per participant in the study. Tracey Woodruff, director of the University of California at San Francisco’s Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, who was not involved in the research, commented, “It speaks to the pressure women have to look a certain way.”  

This sentiment was echoed by study co-author Janette Robinson Flint, executive director of Black Women for Wellness, who highlighted the social and economic pressures compelling Black women to alter their appearance to conform to white beauty standards. “We shouldn’t have to be chemists to figure out what kinds of products will make us sick,” Flint powerfully stated, calling for more government oversight.

Woodruff added, “Beauty norms that focus on white presentation definitely are resulting in people using products that can be harmful to their health. This is part of the legacy and history of discrimination against the Black and Latinx population.”

Where Does Regulation Stand?

The European Union banned formaldehyde as a cosmetic ingredient in 2009 and mandates warnings for products with FRPs above a tiny concentration. In the U.S., action has been slower. While the FDA was scheduled to propose a ban on formaldehyde in hair straighteners years ago, that action has not yet materialized. Some states, like California and Washington, have begun to propose or enact their own laws, but a comprehensive federal solution is lacking.

What Can You Do? Taking Control of Your Choices

The situation can feel overwhelming, but knowledge is power.

1. Read Labels Carefully: As Robin Dodson advises, “In the very near short term, tomorrow, I think consumers should do the best they can to read product labels.” Familiarize yourself with the names of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives listed above.
2. Simplify Your Routine: Consider if there are products you can use less frequently or cut out.
3. Look for “Formaldehyde-Free” Claims: Some brands are moving towards safer alternatives and will label their products accordingly.
4. Use Resources: Organizations like the Silent Spring Institute (which has a “Detox Me” app) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG Skin Deep database) offer tools and information to help identify safer products.
5. Advocate for Change: Support calls for stronger government regulation and greater transparency from manufacturers. Your voice can contribute to the demand for safer products for everyone.

The findings of this latest study are a crucial reminder that what we put on our bodies matters deeply. While individual vigilance is important, the ultimate solution lies in systemic change to ensure that personal care products are safe for all consumers, regardless of their background or the beauty standards they navigate.