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look out for these offenders

In the realm of skin care and personal care products, navigating the myriad of chemical ingredients can be daunting. For the sake of time and practicality, we're highlighting a shortlist of some of the biggest offenders that warrant caution that you may actually see on an ingredient label. Please note, there are thousands of harmful substances that may be lingering in personal care products. We encourage everyone to due sufficient research into what they are putting on their skin and we hope this short list is a start in that direction.

Here are the top 15 offenders and how they may be listed on beauty care ingredient labels

For full list of how each of these substances may appear on the label and the harmful effects they have, read below.

• Parabens

• Harmful Surfactants

• Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

• Oxybenzone

• Siloxanes & Silanes

• Diethylene glycol (DEG)

• Fragrance & Parfum

• Hydroquinone

• Carbon Black

• Phthalates

• Disodium EDTA

• Propylene Glycol

• Retinol

• Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) & Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

• Triclosan

1. Parabens

Look for ingredients like this on the label: Butylparaben, Benzylparaben, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, isopropylparaben, butylparaben and isobutylparaben

Commonly used as preservatives, parabens can disrupt hormonal balance by mimicking the activity of hormones within our bodies, which may impact reproductive development in young children. Additionally, studies in animals have indicated that they could contribute to a decreased sperm count.

2. Oxybenzone

An active ingredient in chemical sunscreens that accumulates in fatty tissues and is linked to allergies, hormone disruption and cellular damage.

3. Fragrance & Parfum

Despite the use of approximately 5,000 different fragrance molecules in various products, cosmetic companies are permitted to consolidate all these fragrance-forming components under the singular term “fragrance” on product labels, obscuring the complexity and potential risks of the ingredients used. Most times, fragrances contain phthalates which can disrupt hormone function and reproductive health.

4. Phthalates

Look for ingredients like this on the label: diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP), also undisclosed as the word fragrance

Diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP) are concerning chemicals commonly used in personal care products, especially perfumes, that have been linked to serious health issues. These substances, particularly alarming with DEP as a primary component in many perfumes, deodorants, and fragrances, have been associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and endometriosis. This highlights the troubling reality of widespread exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals through everyday personal care items.

5. Retinol

Look for ingredients like this on the label: Retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, hydroxypinacolone, retinoate, granactive retinol, retinal, tretinoin, retinoic acid

Touted as an anti-aging treatment and commonly used in skin care products, is associated with several side effects. These include headaches, skin irritation, muscle and joint pain, and the potential for birth defects. While it is known for its skin-brightening benefits, retinol can also cause diarrhea, hyperpigmentation, and liver toxicity. Additionally, users may experience nausea and increased sensitivity to the sun, necessitating careful usage and protective measures when exposed to sunlight.

6. Harmful Surfactants

Look for ingredients like this on the label: Alkyl benzene sulfonates (ABS), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Cocoyl Sarcosine, Lauryl Sarcosine, Linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates, Potassium Coco Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate, TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

A former industrial degreaser now used to make soap foamy gets absorbed into the body. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are known to cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and lungs, particularly when used over an extended period. Additionally, SLES has the potential to become contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a compound that has been found to induce cancer in laboratory animals. This contamination is a byproduct of the production process.

7. Siloxanes & Silanes

Look for ingredients like this on the label: “siloxane,” “ethicone” and “silane” as suffixes on ingredient names (ex: cyclotetrasiloxane, dimethicone, triethyoxycaprylylsilane)

Silicone-based compounds, particularly Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) used to enhance softness, smoothness, and moisture in cosmetics, often include dimethicone and are derived from D4, containing residual traces of D4 and D5. Notably, D4 siloxanes are classified as class 1 endocrine disruptors by the European Union, indicating their potential to cause hormonal imbalances, thyroid diseases, and other autoimmune disorders. The primary health concerns regarding siloxanes, especially D4 and D5, are their toxicity and bioaccumulative nature. The potential adverse health effects linked to these compounds include reproductive issues and liver problems, underlining the significant risk they pose to human health.

8. Hydroquinone

The standard depigmentation or skin lightening agent. Hydroquinone has been linked to toxicity in organ systems, fetal growth retardation, neurological problems, respiratory irritation, and ochronosis—a condition where the skin thickens and turns bluish-grey. It can also cause eye pigmentation and corneal damage. The FDA has reported severe reactions, including rashes, facial swelling, and permanent skin discoloration. Moreover, hydroquinone has been recognized by the FDA as a possible carcinogen.

9. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) & Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Commonly used as preservatives and antioxidants in cosmetics, Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) have been linked to cancer in animal studies and endocrine disruption. Additionally, BHA and BHT have been linked to impaired blood clotting and promoted tumor growth as well as organ toxicity.

10. Disodium EDTA

Utilized in skin care to preserve product consistency in terms of odor, texture, and pH, acts as a chelating agent, penetration enhancer, and viscosity regulator. It is synthesized mainly from ethylenediamine, formaldehyde, and sodium cyanide. Research, primarily on animals, has shown that Disodium EDTA can have extensive systemic effects, including potential impacts on the brain and nervous system at low doses, disruption of endocrine activity, and reproductive problems at elevated levels.

11. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

A moisture-preserving humectant, can harbor contaminants such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Both of these substances are recognized as carcinogens and can irritate the respiratory system.

12. Diethylene Glycol (DEG)

Acts as a depressant on the central nervous system and is a powerful toxin affecting the kidneys and liver. It is occasionally detected in fragrances. Moreover, common personal care product ingredients like non-organic glycerin and propylene glycol may become contaminated with DEG during the manufacturing process.

13. Mineral Oil

Look for ingredients like this on the label: paraffin oil, paraffin wax, petrolatum, liquid paraffinum

Mineral oils can contain contaminants and toxins, and it is often difficult to determine their quality in products. They may cause clogged pores and reactions like burning, stinging, redness, or irritation. Mineral oil can be toxic to blood and internal organs. Additionally, there is a significant correlation between exposure to mineral oils and a heightened risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer.

14. Propylene Glycol

Look for ingredients like this on the label: 2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, and trimethyl glycol

Propylene glycol (also listed as 2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, and trimethyl glycol) is used to retain moisture in the skin and maintain the skin's moisture barrier. Despite its plant-based origin, this ingredient has been discovered at some of the most dangerous waste sites across the country. Additionally, its use as an ingredient in antifreeze further amplifies concerns regarding its safety and potential negative impact on health.

15. Triclosan

Look for ingredients like this on the label: 5-Chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol

This is an antimicrobial active ingredient commonly found in soaps and hand sanitizers that was developed in 1966. By 2014, triclosan was used in more than 2,000 consumer products. Two years later in 2016, when evidence surfaced that this was not safe (causing endocrine disruption and increased allergies), the FDA banned the sale of consumer antiseptic wash products containing triclosan.

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Ingredients and additives that you may not always find on your ingredient list may include

• Formaldehyde

• Lead

• Mercury

• Dioxane

• Carbon Black

• Talc

Formaldehyde

Recognized as a carcinogen and irritant, appears in various beauty products such as nail polishes, hair dyes, false eyelash glues, and certain shampoos. On labels, it might be identified directly as formaldehyde or under alternative names like “formalin” and methylene glycol. Additionally, it serves as a foundational component in numerous other ingredients, meaning it might not always be visible on cosmetic and beauty product labels.

Lead

A known carcinogen and hormone disruptor found in certain eyeliners, hair dye and lipsticks.

Mercury

A common ingredient found in skin whitening creams and soaps worldwide for its bleaching effects poses significant health risks with chronic exposure. It can cause damage to the kidneys and liver, along with neurological harm that includes changes in personality, anxiety, depression, issues in early childhood development, and loss of vision. As a known irritant and allergen, mercury can accumulate in the body over time, leading to detrimental effects on the brain and nervous system.

Dioxane

Look for ingredients like this on the label: 1,4-Dioxane

1,4-Dioxane, a byproduct in cosmetic production, may appear in trace amounts in products. It's used as a solvent and can cause vertigo, drowsiness, headaches, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs with high-level exposure. Additionally, it is known to be carcinogenic.

Carbon Black

A dark black powder used as a pigment in cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. Carbon black can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.

Talc

Inhaling talcum powder can be toxic and particularly hazardous to children. Symptoms of talcum powder poisoning include breathing problems, decreased urine output, eye and throat irritation, low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse, drowsiness, weakness, twitching in the arms, legs, or face, seizures, and coma.

These chemicals, found in various products, have been linked to a range of health concerns including skin irritation, hormonal disruption, and even more severe risks like cancer and reproductive issues. In light of these potential dangers, it's imperative to seek products free from these harmful substances as a significant measure towards safeguarding health and well-being.