1,4 Dioxane

A carcinogen linked to organ toxicity. It is created when common ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate react when mixed together. Found in products that create suds such as shampoo, soap, hair relaxers and more.

Acrylates

Evidence of adverse skin, eye, and throat reactions. Typically found in artificial nail products.

Animal Fats, Oils, and Musks

Harmful to animals.

Benzophenone and Related Compounds

Harmful to animals.

Butylated Compounds

Linked to several health concerns including endocrine disruption and organ system toxicity. Used as preservatives in a variety of personal care products.

Bisphenol-A (BPA)

Possible harmful effects on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. Used in product or packaging in contact with product.

Butoxyethanol

Confirmed animal carcinogen. Exposure may cause reproductive damage. Can irritate eyes and skin. Can cause headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, and confusion. May damage the liver and kidneys. Used in hair and nail products to control viscosity, or as a fragrance additive.

Carbon Black

Linked to increased incidence of cancer and negative effects on organs. Used as a pigment in cosmetics.

Carcinogens

Some known cancer-causing chemicals are common in personal care products. These include formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, phenacetin, coal tar, benzene, ethylene oxide, chromium, cadmium and crystalline silica.

Coal Tar

A known carcinogen derived from burning coal. Studies have shown it to cause skin tumors and neurological damage. It’s found in shampoos and scalp treatments, soaps, hair dyes, and lotions.

Ethanolamine Compounds (MEA, DEA, TEA and others)

Linked to liver tumors. The European Commission prohibits DEA in cosmetics. Found in many personal care products such as shampoo, hair conditioners and dyes, lotions, eyeliners, mascara, eye shadows, blush, makeup, foundation, fragrance, and suncreen.

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)

Enhance the penetration of other ingredients contained in a product. Weakly mutagenic. Large doses have been shown to lead to reproductive and developmental effects. Widely used in moisturizers, skin care and cleansing products, bath soaps, shampoos and conditioners, hair dyes, and more.

Fragrances

Some fragrances are linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities. Found in most personal care products.

Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

These chemicals have been linked to cancer and allergic skin reactions. They are used in many personal care products like shampoos, liquid soaps, nail polish, and color cosmetics.

Homosalate

Studies show it is a potential endocrine disruptor and may impact hormones. It may also enhance the absorption of pesticides into the body. Used in suncreen and skin care products with SPF.

Hydroquinone

Linked to cancer and organ-system toxicity. Most commonly used in skin lighteners, facial and skin cleansers, moisturizers, hair conditioners, and nail coating.

Lead and other heavy metals

Exposure to metals has been linked to several health concerns including reproductive, immune and nervous system toxicity. Found in many personal care products including lipstick, foundations, sunscreens, eye shadows, blush, concealer, moisturizer, eyeliner and nail color.

Methyl Cellosolve

Considered a neurotoxin that causes DNA mutation. It has been banned in Canada and restricted in the EU. Commonly used in anti-aging creams, moisturizers, and serums.

Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone

These preservatives have been linked to lung toxicity, allergic reactions, and possible neurotoxicity. They are found in many liquid personal care products including shampoo, conditioner, hair color, body wash, lotion, sunscreen, mascara, and makeup remover.

Mica

Long term inhalation of Mica poses a health risk to workers developing respiratory problems and lung scarring. Often used as a color additive in makeup products.

Nail polish removers

Evidence suggests these chemicals cause reproductive harm and toxicity. They are a serious concern for pregnant women. These include Isopropyl Acetone, Methyl isobutyl ketone, and N-Methyl-Pyrrolidone.

Nitrosamines

Numerous studies link these chemicals to cancer. Known risk of endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity. Banned for use in cosmetics in Canada. They are impurities that are found in nearly every kind of personal care product. They are not listed on labels as they form when certain compounds such as DEA and TEA are used along with preservatives that can break down into nitrates. To avoid, look for DEA or TEA on the label.

Octinoxate

An endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen and can disrupt thyroid function. Found in hair color, shampoos, sunscreen, lipstick, nail polish, and skin creams. Look for octinoxate, methoxycinnamate, parsol, escalol on the label.

PABA and PABA-derivatives

May alter thyroid activity and PABA derivatives may have additional endocrine disrupting properties. Banned in Canada and European Union. Commonly used in sunscreens.

Petrolatum and Petroleum Jelly

Potential contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which can cause cancer. Commonly used in lotions and cosmetics.

Phenoxyethanol

Linked to a range of reactions including eczema and severe life-threatening allergic reactions. Infant oral exposure can acutely affect nervous system function. It is allowed in the products we carry as long as it is not in baby products or products that are applied to breasts for nursing moms. Used as a preservative in a wide range of personal care products.

Polyacrylamide

Made of repeating molecules of acrylamide which is a strongly suspected carcinogen and has been linked to mammary tumors. Found in moisturizers, anti-aging products, color cosmetics, lotions, hair products, sunscreens, and more.

Polutetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Also known as Teflon.

Potentially contaminated with PFOA which is associated with cancer, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption. Found in foundation, pressed and loose powder, makeup, lip balm, and anti-aging lotion.

P-Phenylenediamine

Linked to allergic reactions, cancer, mutagenicity, and organ system toxicity. Found in many permanent hair dyes.

Parabens

Linked to endocrine disruption, cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity. Found in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, facial and body cleansers and scrubs.

Phthalates

Linked to endocrine disruption, cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity. Banned from cosmetics in the European Union. Found in color cosmetics, lotions, body washes, hair care products, nail polish, and more.

Quanternium-15

A known skin toxicant and allergen. Found in hair care products, creams, lotions, and cleansers.

Resorcinol

Skin and eye irritant, linked to allergies, organ system toxicity and possible endocrine disruption. In higher doses, it is toxic and can disrupt the function of the nervous system and lead to respiratory problems. Common in hair dyes, peels, products to treat acne, eczema and other dermatological issues.

Retinol and Retinol Compounds

Linked to possible cancer, and developmental and reproductive toxicity. Found in anti-aging creams and lotions, moisturizers and foundations.

Synthetic Musks

Studies have shown these can cause endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, and reproductive toxicity. They bioaccumulate in the environment and have been detected in human breast milk, body fat, blood, and umbilical cords. Rarely listed on labels as fragrance ingredients are rarely disclosed. Found in products with synthetic fragrances such as perfumes, scented soap, body wash, lotions, and hair products.

Talc

Can cause irritation, cancer, organ system toxicity and severe respiratory distress. May contain the known carcinogen asbestos. Found in body and shower products, lotions, feminine hygiene, makeup, deodorant, face masks.

Titanium Dioxide

In powder form, it is designated as a possible carcinogen. Found in sunscreen, presses and loose powder.

Toluene

Exposure can result in headaches, dizziness, cracked skin, reproductive damage and respiratory complications. Found in nail polish, nail treatment and hair dyes.

Triclosan and Triclocarban

Linked to endocrine disruption, bacteria resistant to antibodies, environmental toxicity and more. Found in antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, antiperspirants and deodorants, creams and color cosmetics.