LONDON, July 20: Regular use of cosmetics such as lipstick, eyeshadow, mascara, and blush may significantly increase the risk of developing asthma in adulthood, according to new research published in the journal Environment International.

The study, conducted by researchers at the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, analyzed data from nearly 40,000 women over a 12-year period and found a possible association between frequent use of beauty products and a higher incidence of adult-onset asthma—a chronic respiratory condition that currently affects around 5.4 million people in the UK.

Researchers found that women who regularly used products such as false nails, cuticle cream, blush, and lipstick had a 47 percent higher chance of being diagnosed with asthma later in life. Even using just blush and lipstick five or more times a week was linked to an 18 percent increased risk.

While the findings do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the study points to potentially harmful ingredients commonly found in cosmetics. These include endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as parabens, phthalates, phenols, and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), which are believed to interfere with hormonal function or suppress immune responses.

“Understanding the biological pathways through which EDCs in personal care products may increase the risk of asthma is important for understanding disease development,” the authors wrote. “If our findings are confirmed in other large-scale multi-ethnic prospective studies, they support personal care products as a potentially targetable lifestyle factor to reduce the burden of adult-onset asthma among women.”

Over the course of the study, 1,774 women—about 4 percent of participants—were diagnosed with asthma. Overall, regular use of the 41 beauty products examined in the study was associated with a 19 percent increased risk of developing the disease, with more frequent use linked to a 22 percent rise.

Previous studies have suggested that exposure to similar chemicals during early pregnancy may increase the risk of childhood asthma, but little has been done to explore their impact on adult-onset cases.

Dr. Samantha Walker, director of research and innovation at Asthma + Lung UK, responded to the findings, saying, “We know that women get worse asthma than men and are more likely to be admitted to hospital, but it’s not clear why—although we believe female hormones play a part. More research is needed into this area so we can understand how to keep women well.”

The study's authors called for stricter regulation of ingredients used in personal care products, stating that their findings “reinforce the need for regulation of personal care products and their components.”

Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. The condition can vary in severity and often requires long-term management.