Nanotechnology and Cosmetics

Nanotechnology is the next new thing in cosmetics and skincare.

As if there weren't enough concerns about the toxicity of cosmetic chemicals, manufacturers are rushing to incorporate nanotechnology that uses particles 80,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Nanotechnology has been touted as the next revolution in cosmetics and packaging. However, nanoparticles, being so tiny, have the potential to penetrate unusually deeply into the skin and organs, causing exotic physical effects.

The size of nanoparticles is their greatest asset and their greatest health risk. The human body is equipped with defenses designed to keep toxic substances out as they come into contact with our skin, lungs, and intestinal tract.

Nanoparticles are so small they can infiltrate the lungs and intestinal walls, giving the toxins free access to the body. There is some evidence that they may be absorbed directly through the skin as well but the results are inconclusive at this point.

Even non-toxic nanoparticles can cause problems. For example they can get into our lungs but are so small they are not easily cleared by normal mechanisms. This causes the lungs to be overburdened and have to work harder to breathe.

Some toxicologists are alarmed by this trend. The skin is a barrier for a reason - to keep harmful substances out. If nanoparticles can penetrate, will they end up in the bloodstream and brain? Will they do damage? Will other less welcome substances piggy-back on those tiny particles? And what will happen if a number of different nanoparticles, from our hand cream, sunscreen and foundation, join in the swim together?

Where are Nanoparticles Found?

Hundreds of personal care products already contain nano-sized ingredients, and thousands more contain ingredients that are available in nano form but don't include information about particle size on the labels, according to a Skin Deep analysis. Since nano-sized ingredients are absorbed differently into the body, they require separate safety studies. Manufacturers seem to be following the pattern they established with conventional chemical ingredients-put poorly tested chemicals into personal care products and do the science later, if at all.

Common sources of nanoparticles today are sunscreens , mineral make up,

anti-aging creams, facial moisturizers , eye shadows, and mascaras.

Ironically, nanoparticles used in sunscreen came about because of an effort to avoid toxic materials. Reports of the dangerous effects of benzophenone, homosalate and octyl-methoxycinnamate that some sunscreens use caused many consumers to return to the old-school products containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

However, many people didn't like how these sunscreens looked and wanted something transparent. Manufacturers discovered that by dispersing the titanium dioxide as nanoparticles, it went on clear while still providing sun protection.