ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Women who regularly use makeup and apply cosmetic products may face an increasing risk of developing asthma later in life, a new study by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in the United States revealed.
The findings are based on data collected from nearly 40,000 individuals over a 12-year period. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Environment International, examined the use of 41 different beauty products, including mascara, lipstick, blush, and artificial nails.
Researchers found that women who frequently used products such as blush, cuticle creams, lipstick, and fake nails were 47 per cent more likely to develop asthma.
Even using lipstick and blush alone, five or more times a week, was associated with an 18 per cent increase in asthma risk.
Makeup and asthma
The researchers, however, couldn’t establish a direct causal link between the cosmetic products and asthma, though scientists believe that the presence of certain chemical ingredients—shared across multiple beauty items—could be responsible for triggering respiratory issues over time.
“These results suggest that specific chemicals used widely in cosmetics may have long-term health implications,” the researchers noted, though they cautioned that further investigation is needed to determine which substances pose the greatest risks.
While the beauty industry often assures the safety of its formulations, public health experts have called for stricter regulation and greater transparency about product ingredients.
