Nitrosamines are a group of molecules essentially composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Found in many areas, nitrosamines can be found in food products, plastics, cosmetics and some drugs (as a solvent).
The production of nitrosamines in cosmetics and personal care products occurs in two ways:
- If there is an ingredient that acts as a nitrosating agent in cosmetic products, nitrosamines are formed that way.
- Nitrosamines also form if cosmetic products contain an amine ingredient combined with production or storage conditions that promote nitrosamine formation. Thus, several nitrosamines exist including:
NDBA (N-nitrosodibutylamine)
NDPA (N-nitrosodipropylamine)
NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine)
NDIPA (Nitroso-diisopropylamine)
It is important to note that nitrosamines, or N-nitroso compounds, are generally produced unintentionally.