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In its January issue, the association 60 million consumers denounces the presence of problematic substances in many deodorant references, whether for the skin or the environment. Facial moisturizers are also targeted.
As usual, the association 60 Million consumers scrutinizes everyday products. And in this month of January 2023, it is our bathroom products that are in its sights. Thus, like the Nutriscore, the consumer association used its CosmetoScore, giving a grade from A (without reservation of use) to E (use not recommended) attributed according to the harmful and/or irritant composition. As such, 22 deodorants and 17 mass-market moisturizers were analyzed.
Deodorants for men have the lowest ratings
Of the 22 products in aerosols or balls tested and examined (eight certified organic references, a majority of ball formats, aerosols including a compressed format and three references for young teenagers, from 8, 10 or 12 years old), those “for men” appear to be the most harmful, according to the association. Thus, the brands Nivea Men, Axe, Mennen, Brut and Florame received a grade of D or E because of their harmful substances.
Other brands aimed at a young audience, even organic ones, also have harmful products such as “irritating or problematic” substances. The study points in particular Avene deodorantintended for ages 12 and up, which contains polluting ingredients such as polymers or silicone.
The association 60 million consumers also warns against Ithe presence of aluminum salts in still too many references. Suspected of being endocrine disruptors, aluminum salts are not clearly identifiable, and their level is not indicated in these products. The presence of alcohol is also a problem, especially in deodorant Monsavonwhich does not sufficiently emphasize the irritating power on sensitive or damaged skin.
Moisturizers for the face, not so gentle on the skin
In the department of moisturizing creams for the face of supermarkets and parapharmacies, the trend for products with a sun protection factor (SPF) continues. However, according to the study, these SPFs are not only insufficient to protect against the sun, but they are often problematic sun filters. This is the case of Eucerin cream and its FPS25 which contains five UV filters including octocrylene or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone), suspected of being endocrine disruptors.
Among the UV-free moisturizers, the organic versions are not free from dangers: indeed, according to the Cosmétoscore, these are often penalized by the presence of a combination of sensitizing or irritating ingredients. Garnier cream for example contains a lot of salicylic acid, an ingredient suspected to be endocrine disruptor.
The study also notes the presence in excess of phenoxyethanol in a third of the creams in the selection contain it. Phenoxyethanol is one of the least expensive preservatives, which makes it possible to reinforce the effectiveness of other preservatives and thus to use them at a lower concentration. If it is not officially recognized as dangerous for health, it is on the other hand extremely polluting.
Finally, among the 17 creams for normal skin analyzed by 60 Millionthe leading duo shares two characteristics, the two highest-rated references are private label products Carrefour and E.Leclerc.