Imagine reaching for your daily shampoo or body lotion—something you trust and use without thinking—only to find out it could be slowly harming your health.
That’s the unsettling reality behind a new study revealing just how common a cancer-causing chemical called formaldehyde is in everyday beauty and personal care items, especially those used by Black and Latina women.
Formaldehyde Isn’t Just in Hair Straighteners Anymore
For years, formaldehyde has been on the radar mainly because of its use in chemical hair straightening products.
But new research now shows it shows up in far more places than people realized—from shampoos and lotions to body washes and even eyelash glue.
This chemical, often used to preserve products, doesn’t just sit in a bottle.
It can be released into the air as a gas, especially when heat is involved (like during a hot shower), and once inhaled, it can trigger everything from watery eyes to serious health risks, including cancer with repeated exposure.
Where You Use It Matters—Ventilation Makes a Big Difference
One of the most dangerous aspects?
Many people use these products in small, poorly ventilated spaces like bathrooms.
That’s when exposure to formaldehyde becomes even more harmful.
The American Cancer Society has already linked it to cancers of the nose, throat, stomach, and even leukemia, based on human and animal studies.
The Study: Tracking Product Use in Real Time
In a recent study by the Silent Spring Institute, 70 Black and Latina women in Los Angeles volunteered to track the personal care products they used over 5 to 7 days.
They logged every product through a custom app and snapped photos of the ingredients.
Researchers reviewed more than 1,100 product labels, scanning for both direct formaldehyde and ingredients known as formaldehyde-releasing preservatives—chemicals that slowly emit formaldehyde over time.
Over Half of the Participants Used Products With Formaldehyde
The results were eye-opening.
More than 50% of the women reported using at least one product that contained these formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, often daily or several times a week.
One of the most common culprits?
DMDM hydantoin, found in nearly half of skincare products and over half of hair products containing these dangerous preservatives.
But Dr. Robin Dodson, one of the study’s exposure scientists, says this is likely just the tip of the iceberg:
“There could be even more chemicals we didn’t know to look for.”
Why Companies Use Formaldehyde in the First Place
So, why is this toxic ingredient in our personal care routines at all?
Simple: shelf life.
Companies often use formaldehyde or its slow-releasing cousins to help products last longer.
But that longevity comes at a price.
Dr. Dodson explains that this isn’t just about one or two niche products:
“We found these chemicals in items we use all the time, all over our bodies. The cumulative effect can seriously damage health.”
Hard to Spot and Harder to Avoid
One of the most troubling findings?
These harmful preservatives often have complicated chemical names that don’t include “formaldehyde,” making them difficult to recognize—even for trained chemists.
That’s why the researchers are calling for stronger regulations—including clear warning labels like those used in Europe, or better yet, a complete ban on the use of formaldehyde and its chemical cousins in personal care products.
It’s a Health Equity Issue, Too
The study also pointed out that many of the products containing formaldehyde were ones specifically marketed toward Black and Latina women.
These women often use more personal care products to meet beauty standards shaped by Eurocentric ideals, says Janette Robinson Flint, executive director of Black Women for Wellness.
She says many consumers are trying to make safer choices, but:
“We shouldn’t have to be chemists to figure out what’s safe.”
Pushing for Change at the Policy Level
While at least 10 U.S. states and the European Union have already taken steps to ban formaldehyde and its variants, there’s still a long way to go.
The FDA proposed a ban on formaldehyde in hair straighteners back in 2023, but it hasn’t yet been enforced.
The researchers hope this latest study—part of the broader Taking Stock Study involving organizations like Occidental College and Columbia University—will fuel more advocacy and push for national change.
What You Can Do Right Now
Until stronger laws are in place, the best defense is knowledge.
Look for products labeled as “formaldehyde-free,” research confusing ingredients, and support brands that value transparency.
But most importantly, demand better legislation so that safety isn’t a guessing game.
Because no one should have to choose between beauty and their health.