Top Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

Top Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

1. Formaldehyde – OSHA regulates formaldehyde as a cancer-causing substance. These two chemicals are just two of many preservatives that release formaldehyde. They are called formaldehyde-donors. Formaldehyde is used in so many beauty products, that the expression, “well preserved” isn’t too far-fetched.

Research has revealed that even low levels of formaldehyde can have health effects. Low levels of contact may irritate the eyes, nose and throat; cause skin problems and severe breathing problems.

Formaldehyde is a specialist in masquerading with different names and can appear as any of the following:
Formaldehyde, formalin, formic aldehyde, Paraformaldehyde, Benzylhemiformal, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1, 3-dioxane, Diazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, DMDM Hydantoin, Sodium hydroxymethyl, Glycinate, Methenamine, Oxomethane, Oxymethylene.

2. Triclosan & triclocarban – The EPA registers this chemical as a pesticide and has assigned it high scores as a risk to both human health and the environment. It is a recent trend of antibacterial chemicals that are included in detergents dish washing fluids, soaps, deodorants, cosmetics, lotions, creams and toothpaste. If you are worried about bacteria, and want to use something that kills the bacteria bugs around your home, try using things like hydrogen peroxide and essential oils.

3. Parabens – Parabens are used in many cosmetic products as a preservative. They can irritate the skin, lead to endocrine and fertility problems and can cause cancer. For so many years parabens have been a cheap way to preserve products such as lotions, shampoos, conditioners, sunscreens and deodorants, but studies have shown that some parabens can act as a hormone estrogen in the body’s cells. New research has shown that parabens can be detected in human urine within hours after applying lotion [containing this chemical] to the skin. This demonstrates that parabens do indeed penetrate the human skin from cosmetic products.

Can look like this on a label: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and benzylparaben

4. Sodium Lauryl or Laureth – has been found to enter the brain, heart and liver and impair the immune system. Causes eye irritations and skin rashes. When mixed with other chemicals found in toiletries it can form carcinogenic compounds. Both SLS and SLES are utilized more extensively as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioners and about 90% of all shampoos and products that produce suds.

Can look like this on a label: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Anhydrous Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Irium, SLS, SLES, MSDS, ALES, ALS.

5. Phthalates and / in Fragrances – Phthalates are estrogen-mimickers that wreak havoc on the endocrine system in the human body and cause unwelcome hormonal effects. They can cause depression, hyperactivity and irritability. They are found in “fragrance” and in nail polish. In Europe three phthalates- DEHP, DBP and BBP- are banned for use in cosmetics and in all toys and childcare articles. “Fragrance” usually references synthetically-derived ingredients that are, for the most part, derived from petroleum sources and other unregulated chemicals and can indicate the presence of up to four thousand different ingredients, many of which can be toxic or carcinogenic.

Companies conclude if they use a petroleum “replica” of an essential oil that exists in nature, they then have the right to call it “natural”.

Can look like this on a label: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DNOP and “fragrance”

6. PEGs (polyethylene glycols) – Linked to liver abnormalities and kidney damage. PEGs are petroleum-based compounds that are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. PEGs are the second most common ingredient in moisturizers, aside from water. They are found in sunscreens, moisturizers, baby lotion, antiperspirants and deodorants and shaving products.

Can look like this on a label: Propylene Glycol, Proptylene Glycol, 1,2-Propanediol. Related synthetics: PEG (polyethylene glycol) and PPG (polypropylene glycol).

7. Hyrdoquinone – related to cancer, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption and developmental and reproductive toxicity. Used as an active ingredient in over-the-counter products such as skin lighteners, hair bleaches, concealers, facial cleansers and sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher.

Can look like this on a label: 1,4-Benzenediol, 1,4-Dihydroxybenzene, P-Dioxybenzene, 4-Hydroxyphenol, P-Hydroxyphenol,1,4Benzenediol.

Confused? Not sure how you are going to remember all those long words? Make it easy on yourself and visit EWG’s Cosmetics Safety Database to find the health rating of your favorite product. Simply type your product into the search box and see what rating your product gets.