The UK’s Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) has refuted claims made in the US by an organisation called Breast Cancer Action (BCA) which suggest that cosmetics contain chemicals linked to an increased risk of cancer.

In a statement, CTPA said it "categorically refutes" any suggestions made by BCA that cosmetic products or their ingredients can be the cause of breast cancer or hinder its vital treatment. "If an ingredient were found to cause cancer as it is used in a cosmetic product, it would, quite simply, be banned from use," said CTPA. “We are disappointed that a campaign calling for fact-based and evidence-based support has fallen short of finding out the actual facts about cosmetic ingredients itself, but rather could cause concern.”

Dr Emma Meredith, a pharmacist and director of science at the CTPA, says: “Cosmetic products are one of the most studied and safest classes of consumer product on the market today. It is quite wrong for campaigns to question the safety of cosmetic products and so frighten people into thinking they have done something wrong to cause them to have cancer.”

Strict safety regulations

Cosmetic products sold in the UK are covered by strict safety legislation – the EU Cosmetics Regulation, which covers the manufacture and supply of cosmetic products to the UK and European markets. Each cosmetic product must undergo a safety assessment by a qualified and experienced safety assessor before it is made available for sale. The safety assessment takes account of all the ingredients used in the product, how the product will be used, by whom, how often and where it will be used. If the safety of an ingredient is called into question, it is reviewed by the European Commission’s panel of independent experts, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety.

To find out more, visit the CTPA's website.