Each day women are exposed to about 168 chemicals and men to approximately 85 through personal care products Research suggests chemicals such as parabens and phthalates in makeup, nail polish, and products for skin and hair may cause health problems Health risks include allergic reaction, hair loss, asthma, and cancer But it’s challenging to know exactly which chemicals are dangerous Experts say Congress needs to bolster FDA oversight of the personal care industry to safeguard consumers To minimize risks, researchers recommend using a minimum of personal care products and choosing ones with simple ingredients And they recommend reporting adverse reactions to manufacturers and the FDA