PLACENTA ENZYMES
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
| Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
| Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
 | Contamination concerns - PROGESTERONE, ESTROGEN, ESTRONE |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Endocrine disruption, Data gaps |
This ingredient may be derived from animals. From PETA's Caring Consumer: Contains waste matter eliminated by the fetus. Derived from the uterus of slaughtered animals. Animal placenta is widely used in skin creams, shampoos, masks, etc. Alternatives: kelp, olive oil, wheat germ oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, almond oil, safflower oil, etc.
Endocrine disruption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption | Tiwary, C, 1998 |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | ||
| 2 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results -> | PubMed |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| FDA, 2006 | ESTROGEN, ESTRONE, ESTRADIOL, PROGESTERONE, PLACENTAL EXTRACT OR VITAMINS | FDA may consider this a misbranded cosmetic if the extract has been prepared from placentas from which the hormones and other biologically active substances have not been removed and the extracted substance consists principally of protein. |
| FDA, 2006 | PLACENTAL EXTRACT | Impurity: estradiol, estrone, progesterone |
| Tiwary, C, 1998 | PLACENTA-CONTAINING HAIR PRODUCTS | Girls developed breasts or pubic hair 2 to 24 months after starting the use of estrogen or placenta-containing hair products |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Open scientific literature | FDA, 2006. "GUIDE TO INSPECTIONS OF COSMETIC PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS," U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Accessed on May 14th, 2007 at: http://www.fda.gov/ora/inspect_ref/igs/cosmet.html. |
| Open scientific literature | FDA, 2006. "GUIDE TO INSPECTIONS OF COSMETIC PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS," U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Accessed on May 14th, 2007 at: http://www.fda.gov/ora/inspect_ref/igs/cosmet.html. |
| Open scientific literature | Tiwary, C. M. (1998). "Premature sexual development in children following the use of estrogen- or placenta-containing hair products." Clin Pediatr (Phila) 37(12): 733-9. |
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