A chemical that is commonly used in makeup can increase the risk of obesity, according to a new study.
Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden found that participants exposed to phthalates, which are colourless man-made substances incorporated in a variety of common consumer products such as cosmetics, cleaning products and plastic bottles were more susceptible to weight gain. Further, those who had even ‘modest’ levels of the substance in their bloodstream were twice as likely to develop diabetes .
Lead researcher Monica Lind said: “Those pollutants containing phthalates are making people obese and now we find they could get diabetes. These products need to be tested.
‘Many are used in body products, like face creams, fake tan, makeup and perfumes. Not only does the packaging contain them, but they are absorbed into the body and bloodstream through the skin. In perfume, we inhale the phthalates that are used to delay the scent and increase the lifetime of the perfume.”