A new study from the Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals has found that the lubricating strip on some popular brand razors may contain a suspected hormone disrupting chemical. However, it also showed that it is possible to find safer options.

The Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals bought 15 different razors with lubricating strips from Danish shops, including from brands such as Gilette, Coop, Bic and Estrid. They scrutinised the ingredients lists and rated them based on the substances listed.

They found that it is possible to find razors without unwanted chemicals – 11 of the 15 selected received the top ‘A’ rating. This means they did not contain chemicals such as allergenic substances, perfumes, suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals, or environmentally harmful substances.

However, 4 of the 15 razors received the lowest ‘C’ rating as they contained BHT, a suspected endocrine disrupting chemical. Swedish NGO ChemSec has placed BHT on its SIN List – a compilation of hazardous chemicals that should be substituted as soon as possible, as they pose a threat to human health and the environment. The Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals have previously found BHT in other products, including children’s vitamins, and dishwashing liquids (covered by CHEM Trust here).

The presence of BHT in these products can add to our overall exposure to harmful chemicals. We are constantly exposed to a complex cocktail of known and suspected harmful chemicals, through air, water, food, consumer products, and other routes. However, current chemical regulations do not sufficiently take this into account.

CHEM Trust is calling on the EU authorities and UK government to protect their citizens from harmful chemicals by introducing robust legislation to phase out the most harmful chemicals from consumer products by 2030.

Find out how to reduce your risk of exposure of harmful chemicals in personal care products on our website.