A recent study has uncovered widespread use of formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in personal care products, many of which are heavily marketed toward Black and Latina women. The research monitored the product usage of 70 women from these communities and found that over half of the 1,100 products they used contained preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde—a chemical classified as a known human carcinogen.

The findings shed light on a serious and often overlooked public health concern: everyday exposure to toxic chemicals through common beauty and hygiene routines. Items such as hair gels, lotions, shampoos, and eyelash adhesives were among the products identified as sources of repeated formaldehyde exposure.

Formaldehyde, typically used as a preservative to prevent bacteria growth and extend shelf life, poses significant health risks when used regularly. Though the levels of the chemical in any single product may appear low, the cumulative impact of using multiple products daily can lead to heightened risk of cancer, allergic reactions, and other health complications.

The issue is particularly relevant for Black and Latina women, who are often targeted by beauty industry marketing that promotes the frequent use of a wide array of personal care items. The study suggests that cultural grooming practices and societal beauty standards drive greater usage of multiple products in these communities, inadvertently increasing exposure to harmful substances.

Despite the well-documented risks associated with formaldehyde, the chemical continues to appear in products due to weak federal regulations in the United States. While other regions, such as the European Union, banned formaldehyde in cosmetics more than a decade ago, the U.S. has not enacted comparable nationwide restrictions. As a result, companies can legally sell products containing formaldehyde-releasing agents across much of the country.

Some states have taken independent action by implementing tighter restrictions on toxic substances in cosmetics and personal care products. However, without consistent federal oversight, the overall safety of these products remains variable. Furthermore, product labeling laws often fail to clearly indicate the presence of formaldehyde, instead listing it under obscure ingredient names like DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, or imidazolidinyl urea—compounds that gradually emit formaldehyde over time.

This lack of transparency and regulation contributes to disproportionate health risks for women of color. The findings of the study underscore ongoing concerns about environmental injustice, as these communities face elevated exposure to harmful chemicals, not only through beauty products but also through other environmental sources.

Health experts and advocates argue that voluntary corporate responsibility is not enough to protect consumers. They are calling for mandatory disclosure of all chemical ingredients, clearer labeling practices, and a ban on substances with established health risks. Furthermore, they emphasize the need for inclusive safety testing that reflects the real-world usage patterns of diverse populations.

While consumers are encouraged to educate themselves and make safer choices, doing so remains difficult without accessible information and safe alternatives. Third-party certification programs, such as those that evaluate products for chemical safety, can offer some guidance, but many shoppers lack the time or resources to thoroughly vet ingredient lists.

In the absence of comprehensive federal regulation, the burden of safety is often shifted to individuals, disproportionately affecting those who already navigate economic and healthcare disparities. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to toxic chemicals in personal care products can contribute to serious health outcomes, including hormone disruption, reproductive harm, and increased cancer risk.

This latest research serves as a clear reminder that product safety should not be a privilege. It highlights the urgent need for policy-level changes that prioritize consumer health, especially for populations that have historically been underserved or overlooked by regulatory agencies.

Calls for reform are growing louder, as more attention is drawn to the intersection of public health, environmental justice, and consumer rights. Until significant changes are made, many women of color will continue to face invisible, yet preventable, health risks every time they use products that are marketed as essential to their beauty and wellness.

The study’s conclusions underline a simple but powerful message: protecting health must come before preserving outdated industry practices. The continued presence of formaldehyde in personal care products is not only a scientific concern—it is a social and regulatory failure that demands immediate attention.