In 2016, UFC-Que Choisir published a list of 185 cosmetics containing substances of "concern". In 2017, the consumer protection association pins 400 everyday products incorporating unwanted components.

20 undesirable components in 400 everyday products

400 products involved ... because of 20 ingredients. These include: a mmonium lauryl sulfate, BHA, BHT, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-3, Butylparaben, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Hydroxypropyl bis (n-Hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine) HCl, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, N, N- bis (2-Hydroxyethyl) -p-Phenylenediamine sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium propylparaben, Triclosan, p-Phenylenediamine. What are they blamed for? Some are endocrine disruptors (they interact with our hormone system), such as BHA or BHT, others are allergens such as sodium lauryl or methylisothiazolinone.

And if the UFC-Que Choisir alerts consumers, it is that the 400 products it pinned are not prohibited for sale. In other words, everyone to be vigilant about the products (and its components) that he buys.

Why are these products not removed from the sale? The components involved are substances that are of concern to experts but have not yet been sanctioned by legislation.

Which products to beware of?

The list is long and many major brands are targeted (which does not mean that all their ranges are questioned): Yves Rocher, Vichy, Signal, Scholl, Saforelle, Rogé Cavaillès, Roc, Playboy, Pampers, Oral-B , Nivea, Narta, Lush, Lovea, Lineance, Le Petit Olivier, Labello, L'Oreal, Klorane, Gemey-Maybelline, Dove, Colgate, Corine de Farme, Bioderma, Ax, Aussie ... and many more are pinned by UFC-Que Choisir because one or more of their products contain the substances deemed to be of concern by the consumer association. Whether it's shampoos, deodorants, body milks, toothpastes, polishes, intimate wipes, hair dyes or cream for changing babies .

The solution ? Read the cosmetic composition labels carefully before putting them in their basket. Hard to remember the names of components blacklisted? The list of all the disputed products is available on the UFC-Que Choisir website. The consumer association has also created and made available a benchmark map of unwanted ingredients.

No need, however, to be alarmed. In reaction to the study published by the UFC-Que Choisir, "which suggests that toxic substances are present in cosmetics", the Federation of Beauty Companies (Febea) reassured consumers by recalling that the products in question are all validated by European regulations, but also the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety.