Cosmetics may not be safe during pregnancy

The findings revealed a link between women who use cosmetics with higher levels of butyl paraben -- commonly used preservative in cosmetics -- to shorter gestational age at birth, decreased birth weight and increased odds of preterm birth. "The antimicrobial compound -- triclocarban -- mainly added to soaps, is associated with shorter gestational age at birth. Another common chemical added to lotions and creams -- propyl paraben -- is associated with decreased body length at birth,” said Laura Geer from SUNY Downstate Medical Centre in New York, US.