Toxicity, Allergenicity and Carcinogenicity: Some Hope for Innovative Cosmeceutical Products?

The safety of cosmetic and cosmeceutical products has been questioned by several independent experts. A plethora of ingredients, additives and preservatives, used in their preparation are indeed allergenic, toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. Despite warnings from Dr. David Suzuki and others a few years ago, little has been done by authorities or the industry to improve the safety of these products. Some companies have instead begun proposing dermatological creams and serums composed of natural ingredients. However the safety profile of those newer products for the intended indication remains generally to be determined clearly. Authorities such as the US Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada and European Medicines Agency should be asked to implement new rules to improve regulations before approval and commercialization of cosmetic and cosmeceutical products that include so-called ‘natural’ ingredients or not.