Study links make-up use to higher asthma risk in women

A study suggests a connection between personal care products and late-onset asthma.

Make-up usage may contribute to asthma risk in women

A recent study reveals that regularly wearing make-up might raise the risk of adult-onset asthma among women. It found that women using products like lipstick, eyeshadow, and false nails had a 47 percent higher chance of developing asthma. This research, conducted by the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, assessed nearly 40,000 women over 12 years. Symptoms of asthma can include coughing and shortness of breath, and at the study's conclusion, about 4 percent of participants had been diagnosed with the condition. While the research indicates a connection, it does not definitively prove these beauty products cause asthma, highlighting the potential effects of chemicals like PFAs and parabens.

This research raises important considerations about the safety of widely used personal care products. As make-up use is common, especially among women, the implications for public health could be significant. If future studies confirm these findings, there could be calls for stricter regulations on cosmetic ingredients to protect consumers. The potential hormonal and immune effects of these chemicals may mean that broader public awareness and discussion around make-up safety is overdue. Particularly given the high rate of asthma diagnosis among women, this could lead to meaningful changes in how products are formulated and regulated.

Highlights

Ongoing research may lead to safer beauty standards for consumers.