Perfumes and lotions can be harmful to your health. New research reveals unexpected effects

A beautiful scent and well-moisturized skin are part of a daily routine for many people. However, cosmetics can disrupt the body's natural defenses. An international research team, including scientists from Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), discovered that popular body care products disrupt the invisible chemical barrier that protects against substances present in the air.

Research published in the journal Science Advances confirms that the human body creates a protective layer of air around itself , called the human oxidation field. It is created by the reaction of lipids and sebum on the skin surface with ozone. As a result, hydroxyl radicals (OH) are created, which play an important role in neutralizing harmful chemicals.

Penn State Professor Donghyun Rim, a co-author of the study, explains that the human body acts like a "hot spot." It attracts air, which chemically reacts on the skin surface, which limits the amount of ozone that reaches the lungs.

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The research team conducted experiments in special test chambers with volunteers, examining the differences in air chemistry before and after applying perfumes or lotions. The results were clear: both perfumes and unscented lotions significantly affect the OH field.

The biggest surprise was the fact that even fragrance-free cosmetics caused an increase in OH reactivity by 170%, which reduced its concentration around the body by about 140%. This means that the natural protective barrier was more than twice as effective . OH molecules, instead of accumulating near the skin, were dispersed.

Scientists have discovered that perfumes have a stronger, but shorter, effect because they contain volatile compounds, such as ethanol, that evaporate quickly. Balms have a longer-lasting effect because their ingredients are released into the air more slowly, but they disrupt the oxidation field for longer.

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It is not without significance that people spend 90% of their time indoors , where ozone (despite coming from outside) penetrates through open windows and ventilation systems. In closed spaces, chemical interactions between the body and ozone are simply more intense. Cosmetics in this environment can additionally increase the emission of new chemical substances, the impact of which on health is still largely unknown.

Professor Rim emphasises that although research on the by-products of the reaction is still ongoing, it is already worth paying attention to the composition of the cosmetics used and their potential effects on air quality and health.