Face creams 'in the clear over danger chemicals'

But reports that the daily ritual leaves the average woman absorbing 5lb of chemicals through her skin every year were enough to make some hardened make-up fans go barefaced.

They have been reassured that face creams still do their skin a favour.

Harley Street dermatologist Dr Nick Lowe discounted the "urban myth" that lotions and potions harm the skin, claiming they could protect against pollution and ultraviolet rays.

Dr Lowe, a spokesman for the British Skin Foundation, said there was simply no evidence that chemicals could seep through the skin.

He spoke out after a study last month claimed man-made compounds in skin products were linked to cancer, while others could irritate the skin or cause it to age prematurely.

He said no recent study claiming cosmetics were dangerous had been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

More trustworthy research had proved that adding antioxidant vitamins A, C or E to creams could protect the skin against irritation and sun damage.

"All well-formulated cosmetics from reliable companies follow stringent guidelines about what ingredients they are allowed to put into creams and lotions," Dr Lowe said.

"Any chemical can only cause harm if it goes through the skin and into the bloodstream.

"But it is not in cosmetic companies' interest to have it go through the skin. In fact, some contain natural ingredients which reduce inflammation of the skin so you're actually protecting the skin rather than harming it."

Much of the recent criticism of skin products has come from biochemist Richard Bence.

His study, published last month in the magazine In-Cosmetics, laid much of the blame on parabens - preservatives widely used in skin and hair products, including soap, shampoo and deodorant.

Mr Bence said the chemicals, which stop the growth of bacteria, also mimic the effects of the female sex hormone oestrogen, which is known to help tumours grow.

Dr Lowe disagreed. "Most of the modern preservatives that are approved are very safe," he said. "Some people can get allergies but that's not a problem with the formulation, it's down to the unique abnormalities of the individual."