T H E N A S T Y
Top Toxic Chemicals To Avoid in Beauty & Personal Care Products
FRAGRANCE FRAGRANCE
An umbrella term for thousands of chemicals
that are untested and potentially unsafe.
Widely used even in some products marketed
as unscented. AVOID: Fragrance & Parfum
PARABENS
Parabens are preservatives used to extend
shelf life. AVOID: Butylparaben,
Benzylparaben,
FRAGRANCE Ethylparaben, Methylparaben
& Propylparaben
formaldehyde
Not listed as an ingredient but look for
Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives:
AVOID: Diazolidinyl Urea, Midazolidinyl Urea,
Quarternium-15, Methenamine, DMDM
Hydantoin & Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
TRICLOSAN
It is an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
preservative. In 2005 the FDA found no
evidence that antibacterial washes were
superior to plain soap. AVOID: Triclosan
(TSC) and Triclocarban (TCC)
PETROLATUM
Used as a moisturizing agent. If not fully
refined, it can be contaminated with toxic
chemicals called Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAHs). AVOID: Petrolatum,
Mineral Oil, Petroleum Jelly & Paraffin Oil
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F I L E
Trigger allergic reactions,
respiratory issues such as
asthma, headaches and
hormonal disruption. Some are
linked to cancer and
neurotoxicity.
Can cause skin and allergic
reactions and has an impact on
the endocrine system.
Can stimulate the growth of
breast cancer cells and
potentially damage DNA.
Aggravates allergies, irritates the
skin and burns eyes, nose and
throat. May boost cancer risk and
is a neurotoxin.
It is linked to skin sensitivity,
liver damage, hormone disruption
and may cause cancer. The
chemicals in them disrupt our
microbiome & and have an
impact on antibiotic resistance.
It coats the skin like a plastic film,
clogging pores and preventing the
skin from eliminating toxins,
which can lead to acne and other
skin disorders. It may increase
cancer risk as well.
P EP G
R OCPOYMLPEONUEN DGSL Y C O L
These ingredients are often used as
thickeners, softeners, moisture-carrying
agents, and penetration enhancers. AVOID:
PEGs & Polysorbates followed by a number
e.g. PEG-100 or Polysorbate-60
COAL TAR DYE
FRAGRANCE
It is a black material and thick liquid
generated during the incomplete burning of
coal. AVOID: Coal Tar Solution, KC 261,
Lavatar, Picis Carbonis, Benzin B70 &
Petroleum Benzin
SLS & SLEL
SLS and other sulfates are lathering agents
that make soaps sudsy and frothy. AVOID:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth
FRAGRANCE
Sulfate (SLEL) & chemicals that end in “eth”
e.g. Ceteareth and Oleth
BUTYLATED COMPOUNDS
Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf
life in beauty and personal care products.
AVOID: Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Siloxanes & Silanes
Silanes are modified silicon compounds.
Siloxanes are used in many different products,
aiding in slip, which gives that silky and
smooth feeling. AVOID: "siloxane,” “ethicone”
and “silane” as suffixes on ingredient names
Retinol Derivatives
Natural vitamin A is an essential nutrient,
but retinol and its derivatives are synthetic
versions. AVOID: Retinol, Vitamin A, Retinyl
Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, All-Trans
Retinoic Acid & Tretinoin
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It can cause skin rashes, eczema
and contact dermatitis. It may also
cause damage to the kidneys and
liver. Causes neurotoxicity in
children.
It is a known human carcinogen
and is linked to allergic reactions,
dermatitis, asthma attacks,
headaches, nausea, fatigue,
nervousness, lack of concentration,
AND a possible increased risk of
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Can cause severe skin irritation
and can be contaminated with
1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen.
It can also build up easily in the
brain, heart, lungs and liver.
Endocrine disruption, organ-
system toxicity, developmental and
reproductive toxicity. May cause
cancer and interfere with hormone
function.
They are endocrine disruptors
and possible reproductive toxins.
Toxicity to aquatic life.
Photo-carcinogenicity and the
potential to cause cancer when
exposed to sunlight. Using too
much vitamin A in skin products
can lead to liver damage, hair loss
and birth defects.
talc
Talc can be contaminated with asbestos and
even asbestos-free talc should be avoided
especially in the pelvic areas. AVOID: Talcum
Powder & Cosmetic Talc
DEA, MEA & TEA
FRAGRANCE
Used commonly as a synthetic emulsifier
AVOID: Triethanolamine, Diethanolamine &
any ingredients with DEA, MEA & TEA in the
name.
PTFE (TEFLON)
Most People know Teflon as the coating on
nonstick cookware but also present in cosmetics.
AVOID: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),
FRAGRANCE
Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether,
DEA-C8-18 Perfluoroalkylethyl Phosphate
& Teflon
Sunscreen chemicals
Also found in personal care products,
hairsprays, cosmetics like SPF foundation,
and fragrance. AVOID: Avobenzone,
Benzophenone, Homosalate, Octinoxate,
Octisalate, Octocrylene & Oxybenzone.
HYDROQUINONE
Hydroquinone is a is a depigmenting agent
and most commonly used in skin lighteners.
AVOID: Hydroquinone & Tocopheryl Acetate
Phenoxyethanol
This preservative has been hailed as a
“greener” alternative and is used instead of
parabens and formaldehyde-releasing
preservatives. AVOID: Phenoxyethanol, PhE
& Euxyl K® 400
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Irritation, organ system toxicity
and cancer. Talc-containing baby
powder has showed to cause
severe respiratory distress.
Cancer, environmental concerns,
organ system toxicity. TEA is an
asthma trigger. DEA affects male
reproductive health. TEA and DEA
have found to be producing cancer
in the liver.
Potential contamination with
Perfluorooctonoic Acid (PFOA)
which is associated with breast
cancer, reproductive toxicity,
endocrine disruption and delayed
puberty in girls.
Endocrine disruption, organ system
toxicity, contact allergies, photo-
allergies, reproductive toxicity and
interference with hormone
function.
Cancer, organ-system toxicity,
respiratory tract irritation and a
potential endocrine disruptor.
Allergies, eczema and acute
nervous system effects in infants.
aluminum
Heavy metal ingredient found in antiperspirants.
Three European reports assessing safety
concluded that it is not safe for use. AVOID:
Aluminum Acetate, Aluminum Chloride,
Aluminum Hydroxide & Aluminum Stearate
P-phenylenediamine
FRAGRANCE
In many forms of permanent hair dyes called
oxidative dyes. AVOID: p-phenylenediamine,
4-aminoaniline; 1,4-benzenediamine,
p-diaminobenzene, 1,4-diaminobenzene &
1,4-phenylene diamine
MIT & CMIT
Widely used preservatives found in liquid
cosmetic and personal care products. Both
chemicals
FRAGRANCE inhibit bacterial growth. AVOID:
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) &
Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT)
carbon black
Carbon black is a dark black powder used as
a pigment in cosmetics. AVOID: Carbon
Black, D & C Black No. 2, Acetylene Black,
Channel Black, Furnace Black, Lamp Black &
Thermal Black
PHTHALATES
These chemicals have been banned from
cosmetics in the European Union, but still
remain prevalent in U.S. beauty and
personal care products. AVOID: Phthalate,
DEP, DBP, DEHP & Fragrance
POLYACRYLAMIDE
It is used as a stabilizer and binder. Made up
of repeating molecules of acrylamide. The E.U.
sets limits but the U.S. does not regulate it.
AVOID: Acrylamide, Polyacrylate,
Polyacrylamide & Polyquaternium
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Can be a neurotoxin at high doses
and in occupational settings. Has
been found in breast tissue.
Skin sensitization, cancer,
organ system toxicity &
DNA-altering. Can cause
respiratory distress and renal
failure.
Inhalation toxicity, allergies and
possible neurotoxicity. Both
ingredients are two of the most
predominant contact allergens
found in cosmetic products.
Organ System Toxicity and
California EPA’s Proposition 65 list
identifies carbon black (airborne,
unbound particles of respirable
size) as a carcinogen.
Cancer, organ-system toxicity,
respiratory tract irritation & a
potential endocrine disruptor.
Polyacrylamide can break down
into acrylamide, which is a
carcinogen, reproductive and
developmental toxicity.
 Free Useful APPS
Use these free apps as a guide only and know that not all non-toxic and natural small
beauty business brands are in their database. That's why it is so important to familiarize
yourself with each ingredient.
Think Dirty: This app lets you scan a bar code, or type in a product name and it will tell
you of any potentially toxic ingredients in your beauty and personal care products.
EWG Healthy Living: The Skin Deep website and Healthy Living App are part of the
Environmental Working Group. The group uses the "EWG VERIFIED" mark and when a
product has this distinction, you know it's free from EWG's chemical concerns.
Skin Bliss: Analyze the list of ingredients to learn which ingredients are good and which
are potentially harmful for you, your skin, and the environment. Skin Bliss is officially
acknowledged by the European Union. They use ingredient information provided by EU to
ensure that what they show you is official and scientifically backed up.

Resources
https://www.skinsafeproducts.com/
http://thetoxicfreefoundation.com/
http://www.safecosmetics.org/
https://www.pfasproject.com/
https://www.madesafe.org/
https://davidsuzuki.org/
https://www.fda.gov/

Make sure you're following along on my social

media accounts: @greenifyorganics
Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest
As always,
Read product labels,
Know your ingredients,
AND stay safe!
Tara
the clean beauty blogger

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