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Table 1 Components of cosmetics applied to the underarm and breast area
| Component | Mechanism of action | Examples of compounds used | Compounds with known oestrogenic activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antiperspirant | Mediates formation of a physical plug at the top of the sweat duct to prevent sweat escaping onto the skin surface | Mainly aluminium salts, often as aluminium chlorhydrate | Aluminium is a metalloestrogen |
| Deodorant | To mask, modify or prevent body odour. Since undesirable smell is generated through the action of bacteria on the sweat on the skin surface, antimicrobial agents act to kill bacteria | Phenolic compounds, often chlorinated such as triclosan | Triclosan |
| Preservative | To prevent growth of microorganisms during product storage | Alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) | Methylparaben, ethylparaben, n-propylparaben, n-butylparaben, isobutylparaben benzylparaben |
| Fragrance/fragrance fixer | To give a good scent to the consumer product | Synthetic musks, including nitromusks and polycyclic musks. Benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate, butylphenymethylpropional (Lilial) | Polycyclic musks HHCB, AHTN. Nitromusks musk xylene, musk ketone. Benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate, butylphenylmethylpropional |
| Spreading/conditioning | To ensure even distribution of components across the skin surface | Linear (dimethicone) and cyclic (cyclomethicone) siloxanes | Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane |
| Plasticiser | Solvent, moisturiser, fragrance carrier | Phthalates | Dibutylphthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, diethylphthalate, butylbenzylphthalate |
| Surfactant | For cleansing purposes | Alkyl phenols | Nonylphenol |
| UV filter | Chemicals act to absorb UVA and UVB light. Also added to aid product stability | Organic compounds, often benzophenone derivatives | Benzophenone-3, benzophenone-2, octyl-methoxycinnamate, 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)-camphor, homosalate, octyl-dimethyl-p-aminobenzoic acid |
