Natural. Organic. Green. We are familiar with these monikers. But when searching for safe cosmetics, how do you truly know what is safe and what is not? By learning to identify which cosmetic ingredients to avoid.
Ignore what may be on the front of a product label and get to the real information. The ingredient listing. Even products that say “Natural” or “Organic” sometimes contain nasty toxins detrimental to our health.
Below are the ingredients best avoided in cosmetics and how to easily identify them on a product ingredient listing. Bookmark and save this list so you can refer to it while shopping. And remember, no clear or readily available ingredient listing on the label? Back away from the product.
Usage: A chemical by-product of ethoxylation, an ingredient processing method used to make petro-ingredients less irritating to skin
Toxicity: Carcinogenic, suspected cardiovascular and blood toxicant, gastrointestinal toxicant, immunotoxicant, kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant, respiratory toxicant, skin toxicant
Found In: Shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, bubble bath, baby bath, liquid soap
How to ID: Because 1,4 Dioxane is a contaminant produced during the manufacturing process, FDA does not require it to be listed on a product ingredient listing. EWG.org recommends looking for common ingredients which may contain the impurity, identifiable by the prefix or designations of ‘PEG,’ ‘–eth–,’ ‘Polyethylene,’ ‘Polyethylene glycol’ ‘Polyoxyethylene,’ or ‘–oxynol–’ (FDA 2007)
Toxicity: Skin sensitizer, can form carcinogenic compounds when mixed with certain cosmetic ingredients
Found In: Makeup, body wash, shampoo, skincare
How to ID: DEA or Diethanolimine, TEA or Triethanolamine, Cocamide DEA or Cocamide Diethanolimine, Lauramide DEA or Lauramide Diethanolimine, DEA Lauryl Sulphate or Diethanolimine Sulfate, Linoleaide DEA or Linoleaide Diethanolimine, Oleamide DEA or Oleamide Diethanolimine
Usage: An impurity released by some chemical preservatives
Toxicity: Carcinogenic, skin and lung irritant, gastrointestinal or liver toxicant and neurotoxin
Found In: Nail polish, deodorant, shampoo
How to ID: Formaldehyde, Formalin, Urea, Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, Quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, and Sodium hydroxylmethylglycinate
Usage: Sweat blocker, colorant, whitener, lightener
Toxicity: Possible carcinogen, developmental and reproductive toxicant, organ system toxicant, allergies and immunotoxicant, bioaccumulation
Found In: Lip products, whitening toothpaste, eyeliner, nail color, foundations, sunscreens, eye shadows, blush, concealer, moisturizers, eye drops
How to ID: Aluminum, Aluminium flake, Aluminum, LB Pigment 5; Pigment metal 1; A 00; A 95; A 995; A 999; AA 1099; AA1199, Lead acetate, Lead flake, Chromium, Thimerosal, Hydrogenated cotton seed oil, Sodium hexametaphosphate
Toxicity: Possible neurotoxin, possible health risks to unborn babies, allergic reactions
Found In: Hair care, body wash, sunscreen, skin care
How to ID: > 3 (2h) -Isothiazolone, 2-Methyl-; Methylchloroisothiazolinone225methylisothiazolinone Solution; 2-Methyl-3 (2h) -Isothiazolone; 2-Methyl-4-Isothiazolin-3-One; 2-Methyl- 3 (2h) -Isothiazolone; 2-Methyl-2h-Isothiazol-3-One; 3 (2h) Isothiazolone, 2methyl; 2-Methyl-3 (2h) -Isothiazolone; 2-Methyl-4-Isothiazolin-3-One
Toxicity: Found in breast tissue, acts like estrogen in the body, could lead to impaired fertility or fetal development
Found In: Soap, skincare, body care, hair care, toothpaste, deodorant
How to ID: Alkyl parahydroxybenzoate, butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparabens
Toxicity: Commonly contains impurities linked to cancer
Found In: Skincare, body care, lip balm, makeup
How to ID: Petrolatum, petroleum jelly, mineral oil
Usage: Often used as a carrier for synthetic fragrance
Toxicity: Can negatively affect fertility and fetal development, considered a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organizaiton
Found In: Hair spray, lipstick, perfume and nail polish
How to ID: Benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), Di-n-butyl phthalate or Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Diethyl phthalate (DEP), and sometimes Fragrance (though even nontoxic product makers use the term “fragrance” to protect trade formulas)
Usage: Helps a product to retain moisture
Toxicity: Penetration enhancer (alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to more easily enter the system)
Found In: Skincare, hair care, body care, makeup, baby care products, contact lens cleaner
How to ID: Propylene Glycol, Proptylene Glycol, 1,2-Propanediol. Related synthetics: PEG (polyethylene glycol) and PPG (polypropylene glycol)
Usage: Makes a product foamy
Toxicity: Penetration enhancer (alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to more easily enter the system)
Found In: Shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, bubble bath, baby bath, toothpaste
How to ID: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Anhydrous Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Irium
Usage: Coal tar (petroleum) derived and commonly tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties, used to artificially color a cosmetic product
Toxicity: Can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions
Found In: Shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, skincare, baby care products, hair care, makeup
How to ID: FD&C or D&C followed by a name and number (FD&C RED NO. 40)
Usage: Combination of chemical ingredients used to artificially scent a cosmetic product
Toxicity: Can cause allergic reactions, headache, dizziness, and rash (children tend to be particularly sensitive), respiratory distress, and possible effects to reproductive system
Found In: Hair care, skin care, makeup, body care, perfume
How to ID: Fragrance, parfum (It is important to note that the terms “fragrance” or “parfum” sometimes occur on an ingredient listing which contains natural fragrance ingredients and no chemical ingredients. This is most often due to manufacturer trade secret and should be disclosed on the label.)
Toxicity: Have been found to mimic estrogen in the body potentially causing hormonal disruption, can also cause skin irritation and easily absorb in to the skin
Found In: Sunscreens, facial moisturizer, lip protection
How to ID: 4-Methyl-Benzylidencamphor (4-MBC), Oxybenzone Benzophenone-3, Octyl-methoyl-cinnamates (OMC), Octyl-Dimethyl-Para-Amino-Benzoic Acid (OD-PABA), Homosalate(HMS)
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Toxic cosmetics image via Shutterstock
Liz Thompson is an organic beauty expert who has been researching and writing on the subjects of natural beauty, health, and wellness for over 10 years. She specializes in sharing safe beauty products and her knowledge on healthy ingredients with her readers, and helping organic beauty brands and shop owners share their message and products with the world through her writing services.
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