New website identifies harmful chemicals in cosmetics

A new online tool launched by Stockholm University and Sweden’s Royal Dramatic Theatre helps consumers detect potentially hazardous ingredients in makeup and hair products, according to a report by public broadcaster SVT.

The website, Kosmetikakollen (Cosmetics Check), scans product ingredient lists and flags substances linked to allergies, hormone disruption, or cancer risk—though it does not assess concentration levels. Project leader Natasja Börjeson, an environmental science researcher at Stockholm University, noted a clear rise in allergy cases tied to cosmetic chemicals.

“Very few products get a clean bill of health,” said Lotta Reinhold, a makeup artist at the Royal Dramatic Theatre involved in the project. “There’s usually at least one allergenic ingredient, like fragrance. But the tool lets you pick options with fewer harmful components.”

The database draws on scientific research, official registries, and consumer organization tests to pinpoint high-risk substances. Börjeson singled out hormone-disrupting chemicals—including certain PFAS compounds—as the most concerning, citing potential links to reproductive issues, insulin regulation problems, and elevated cancer risk over time.

“No single mascara will cause this, but exposure adds up,” she told SVT’s Morgonstudion, emphasizing that even low levels of such ingredients may have cumulative effects. While she acknowledged the difficulty of isolating cosmetics as the sole cause in complex exposure scenarios, she urged consumers to stay informed and proactive.