This list has been compiled by Teens Turning Green, (down load and print the pdf) it is an excellent reference source.
Chemicals to avoid found in the product we use daily.
1. C H E M I CA L : A L U M I N U M Z I R C O N I U M a n d OT H E R A LU M I N U M C O M P O U N D S
Function: Used to control sweat and odour in the underarms by slowing
down the production of sweat.
Present in: Antiperspirants. Banned by EU.
Health concerns: Linked to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease; may
be linked to breast cancer; probable neurotoxin; respiratory, and
developmental toxin.
2. C H E M I CA L : B E N Z Y L AC E TAT E
Function: Solvent; hidden within †œfragrance.†
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Linked to pancreatic cancer; easily absorbs into skin
causing quick systemic effects; animal studies show hyperaemia of the lungs;
possible gastrointestinal, liver, and respiratory toxicant; possible neurotoxin.
2. C H E M I CA L : B E N Z A LKO N I U M C H LO R I D E a n d B E N Z E T H O N I U M C H LO R I D E
Function: Antimicrobial agent, deodorant, preservative, biocide.
Present in: Moisturizer, sunscreen, facial cleanser, acne treatment, pain
relief. Restricted in Japan and Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; may trigger asthma; possible
organ system toxicant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and brain,
nervous system, respiratory and blood effects; possible carcinogen.
3. C H E M I CA L : B R O N O P O L
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Moisturizer, body wash, facial cleanser, makeup remover,
anti-aging products. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; lung and skin toxicant; animal
studies show endocrine disruption and gastrointestinal, brain and nervous
system effects; irritant.
4. C H E M I CA L : B U T Y L AC E TAT E
Function: Solvent in polishes and treatments, prevents chipping.
Present in: Nail polish and nail treatments.
Health concerns: Repeated exposure causes skin dryness and cracking;
vapours may induce drowsiness or dizziness; flammable.
5. C H E M I CA L : B U T Y L AT E D H Y D R OXY TO LU E N E (B HT)/ B UT YLATE D HYDROXYAN I SOLE (B HA)
Function: Anti-Oxidant; slows down the rate at which product ingredients
change in colour.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Banned by EU.
Health Concerns: Immune system toxicant; endocrine disruptor; probable
human carcinogen; animal studies show brain, liver, neurotoxin, reproductive
and respiratory toxicant.
6. C H E M I CA L : E T H OXY L AT E D I NG R E DI E NTS: CETEAR ETH / PEG COM POU N DS
Function: Surfactant, emulsifying or cleansing agent, penetration enhancer.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Animal studies show brain, nervous system and sense organ effects; irritant; reproductive and skin toxin, alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin and increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; may contain harmful impurities.
7. C H E M I CA L : C OA L TA R
Function: Controls itching and eczema, softens and promotes the
dissolution of hard, scaly, rough skin, also used in hair dyes.
Present in: Shampoo and Hair Dye. Banned by Canada and EU.
Health concerns: Known human carcinogen; skin and respiratory toxicant.
8. C H E M I CA L : C O CA M I D E D E A / L AU R A M I D E D E A
Function: used as foaming agents in shampoos and bath products, and as
emulsifying agents in cosmetics; foaming and cleansing agents for †œmouth feel.†
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Human immune system toxicant; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents; animal studies show sense organ effects and skin irritation; may contain harmful impurities.
9. C H E M I CA L : D I E T H A N O L A M I N E ( D E A )
Function: pH adjuster.
Present in: Sunscreen, moisturizer, foundation, hair colour.
Health concerns: Skin and immune system toxicant; possible carcinogen;
irritant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and neuro developmental,
brain and nervous system effects; may trigger asthma.
10. C H E M I CA L : E T H Y L AC E TAT E
Function: Solvent.
Present in: Nail polish products, mascara, tooth whitening, perfume.
Health concerns: Probable neurotoxin; possible nervous system toxin;
possible carcinogen; irritant; highly flammable
11. C H E M I CA L : F O R M A LD E H Y D E
Function: Disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, preservative.
Present in: Deodorant, nail polish, soap, shampoo, shaving cream.
Restricted in Canada. Banned by EU.
Health concerns: Immune system, respiratory, haematological, and skin
toxicant; probable carcinogen and cardiovascular toxicant; can damage DNA;
may trigger asthma; animal studies show sense organ, brain, and nervous
system effects; possible human development toxicant.
12. C H E M I CA L : F O R M A LD E H Y D E - R E LE A S I N G
P R E S E R VAT I V E S ( Q UAT E R N I U M - 1 5 , D M D M
H Y DA N TO I N , D I A Z O LI D I N Y L U R E A A N D
I M I DA Z O LI D I N Y L U R E A )
Function: Anti-microbial preservative.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Same as Formaldehyde. May contain harmful
impurities.
13. C H E M I CA L : F R AG R A N C E ( PA R F U M )
Function: Deodorant, masking, perfuming
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; possible neurotoxin; can
contain between 10 and 300 different chemicals, many of which have never
been tested for safety; see phthalates. Labelling can be confusing. If uncertain,
check with manufacturer.
14. C H E M I CA L : H Y D R O Q U I N O N E
Function: Antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin bleaching agent, hair
colorant.
Present in: Skin fading/lightener, facial moisturizer, anti-aging, sunscreen,
hair colour, facial cleanser and moisturizer. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system and respiratory toxicant; probable
neurotoxin; possible carcinogen; irritant; animal studies show endocrine
disruption.
15. C H E M I CA L : I O D O P R O PY N Y L
B U T Y LCA R B A M AT E
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Restricted in Japan.
Health concerns: Human toxicant; possible liver immune system toxin;
16. C H E M I CA L : LE A D a n d LE A D C O M P O U N D S
Function: Colorant.
Present in: Hair dye, hair products. Traces found in some red lipstick.
Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Probable carcinogen; developmental, respiratory,
gastrointestinal and reproductive toxicant; reduced fertility; animal studies
show metabolic, brain and nervous system effects; suspected nano-scale
ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin
17. C H E M I CA L : M E T H Y LI S OT H I A Z O LI N O N E
( M I / M C I ) a n d
M E T H YC H LO R O I S OT H I A Z O LI N O N E
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Restricted in Canada and Japan.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; animal studies show restricted
growth of the axons and dendrites of immature nerves, neurotoxicity and
positive mutation results; can lead to a malfunction in the way neurons
communicate with each other; especially detrimental to a developing
nervous system.
18. C H E M I CA L : OXY B E N Z O N E
( B E N Z O P E N O N E - 3 )
Function: Sunscreen Agent; Ultraviolet Light Absorber; UV Absorber; UV
Filter.
Present in: Sunscreens.
Health concerns: Associated with photo allergic reactions and
immunotoxicity. Probable carcinogen and endocrine disruptor; Enhanced
skin absorption and bio accumulates to dangerous levels; biochemical cellular
changes. Developmental and reproductive toxicity.
19. C H E M I CA L : PA R A B E N S ( M E T H Y L , E T H Y L ,
P R O PY L A N D B U T Y L )
Function: Preservative and anti-bacterial agent.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: May alter hormone levels, possibly increasing risk for
certain types of cancer, impaired fertility, or alteration of the development of
a foetus or young child; studies have found parabens in breast tumours;
probable skin toxicant; animal studies show brain and nervous system effects.
20. C H E M I CA L : P E T R O L AT U M
Function: Forms barrier on skin; makes lipsticks shine and creams
smoother; inexpensive skin softener.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Banned
by EU.
Health concerns: May be contaminated with impurities, linked to cancer
or other significant health problems.
21.C H E M I CA L : P H T H A L AT E S ( D I B U T Y L
P H T H A L AT E S )
Function: Fragrance ingredient, plasticizer, solvent.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Banned
in EU.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; developmental and
reproductive toxin; respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; possible
carcinogen and endocrine disruptor; bio-accumulative in wildlife.
22. C H E M I CA L : P - P H E N Y LE N E D I A M I N E ( P P D )
Function: Hair colorant.
Present in: Hair dye, shampoo, hair spray. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system and respiratory toxicant; probable
neurotoxin; eczema; possible nervous system, skin, kidney and liver toxicant;
irritant; may trigger asthma and gastritis; shown to cause cancer in animal
studies.
allergenic.
23. C H E M I CA L : P R O PY LE N E G LYC O L
Function: Solvent, penetration enhancer, conditions skin, controls viscosity
and keeps products from melting in high or freezing when it is cold.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to
penetrate deep into the skin and increasing the amounts of other chemicals
that reach the bloodstream; animal studies show reproductive effects, positive
mutation results, brain and nervous system effects and endocrine disruption.
24. C H E M I CA L : S O D I U M L AU R E T H S U LFAT E /
S O D I U M L AU RY L S U LFAT E
Function: Cleansing and foaming agent - Surfactant, emulsifying agent,
penetration enhancer.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to
penetrate deep into the skin, increasing the amounts of other chemicals that
reach the bloodstream; Irritant; Hormone disruptor. May cause hair
follicle, skin and eye damage.
25. C H E M I CA L : TA LC
Function: Absorbs moisture, anti-caking agent, bulking agent.
Present in: Blush, powder, eye shadow, baby powder, deodorant.
Health concerns: Carcinogen; link between talcum powder and ovarian
cancer; talc particles are similar to asbestos particles and data suggests that it
can cause tumours in the lungs; probable respiratory toxin.
26. C H E M I CA L : TO LU E N E
Function: Antioxidant, solvent to improve adhesion and gloss.
Present in: Nail polish and hair dye.
Health concerns: Liver toxin; probable developmental, nervous system and
respiratory toxin; possible cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, renal and sense
organ toxin; possible carcinogen and reproductive toxin; irritant; highly
flammable.
27. C H E M I CA L : T R I C LO S A N
Function: Anti-bacterial agent, deodorant, preservative, biocide. Reduces
and controls bacterial contamination on the hands and on treated products.
Present in: Antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, face
wash and cleaning supplies. Restricted in Japan and Canada.
Health concerns: Probable endocrine disrupter and carcinogen; easily
bio-accumulates to dangerous levels; irritant; animal studies show
reproductive and other broad systematic effects; potentially contaminated
with impurities linked to cancer and other significant health problems.
28. C H E M I CA L : T R I E T H A N A LO M I N E ( T E A )
Function: Fragrance ingredient, pH adjuster, surfactant.
Present in: Hand & body lotion, shaving creams, soap, shampoo, bath
powders and moisturizer.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; possible carcinogen; animal
studies show endocrine disruption; may trigger asthma; forms carcinogenic
nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents.
29. C H E M I CA L : 1 . 4 D I OX A N E
Function: Penetration enhancer
Present in: body lotion, moisturisers, sunless tanning products, baby soap,
anti ageing products.
Health concerns: EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen found
in 46 of 100 personal care products marketed as organic or natural, and the .
National Toxicology Program considers it a known animal carcinogen Acute
(short-term) inhalation exposure to high levels of 1,4-dioxane has caused
vertigo, drowsiness, headache, anorexia and irritation of the eyes, nose,
throat, and lungs in humans. It may also irritate the skin.
Where to start
I have compiled a 10 step list to help you make the transition from chemical laden personal care products to clean beauty. Read more
