The full list of toxic chemicals in your makeup and shampoo ‘that risk breast cancer’, revealed by top UK charity

MILLIONS of women could be unknowingly increasing their risk of breast cancer by using everyday cosmetics and toiletries, a charity has warned.

Shampoos, face creams and make-up may be harmless on their own, but when layered on the skin they could potentially create harmful chemical combinations.

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A new YouGov poll for the charity found that over a quarter of UK women - around 8.5million - use at least six personal care products daily, exposing themselves to an estimated 168 different chemicals every day.

says these so-called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can interfere with the body’s hormone system.

This could contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer, which kills around 11,500 people a year in the UK.

“Looking at chemicals in isolation can lead to a dangerous underestimation of their risk to public health," Gareth Lloyd-Johnson head of public affairs and policy at Breast Cancer UK said.

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"Regulations must be re-evaluated to better reflect our real-life exposure – no product can be viewed inside a vacuum.”

With breast cancer deaths set to soar by more than 40 per cent by 2050, the charity is calling on women to ditch their daily routines if they contain these harmful chemicals.

"While scientific evidence is mounting, the extent of the threat posed by chemical cocktails is still being uncovered," Dr Hannah Moody, the charity's director of research, said.

As part of its Ditch The Junk campaign, Breast Cancer UK has published a list of ingredients to watch out for - harmful chemicals commonly found in everyday toiletries.

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The list also highlights which products are most likely to contain them, to help women make safer choices.

Make-up and nail varnish are believed to contain the highest number hormone disrupting chemicals which mimic the hormone oestrogen and interfere with the body’s natural balance.

According to the charity, many of these products include at least two of the top three EDCs to avoid: parabens, phthalates and synthetic parfums.

Phthalates, often used to strengthen plastics, are found in nail varnish, shampoos and hairsprays.

When applied to the skin, they can be absorbed into the body and disrupt normal hormonal function - potentially raising the risk of breast cancer.

These substances are often listed on ingredients labels as “parfum” or “fragrance”, as they are commonly added to make scents last longer.

Another category to be wary of are face creams and moisturisers, which are likely to contain a high number of parabens. 

These can penetrate the skin and boost oestrogen production, linked to higher breast cancer risk.

While many parabens have been banned due to their hormone-disrupting effects, other endocrine disruptors still lurk in everyday beauty products, warns the charity.

Breast Cancer UK also warns against synthetic fragrances, which commonly contain musk ketone, benzyl salicylate, and diethyl phthalate - chemicals known to harm the female reproductive system and increase breast cancer risk.

To reduce exposure, the charity urges women to simplify their beauty routines and choose fragrance-free products whenever possible.

"Chemicals that interfere with hormones are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and they may interfere with both male hormones
(androgens) and female hormones (oestrogens)," the charity says.

"High oestrogen levels can increase breast cancer risk, therefore, EDCs that mimic the action of oestrogen may be linked to breast cancer."

Check your breasts

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK, making up a sixth of all cases.

Three in four women survive at least 10 years after diagnosis - a rate that has doubled over the past 50 years thanks to better screening and awareness.

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Women are urged to check their breasts regularly for signs such as lumps or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, changes in skin texture, size or shape, nipple discharge (especially with blood), nipple changes, or ongoing pain.

These symptoms aren’t always cancer, but anyone noticing them should see their GP to be safe.