What
A by-product generated by a process called ethoxylation , in which ethylene oxide, is added to other chemicals to make them less harsh.

Function
Contaminant (unlisted in ingredient labels) – a substance that renders a product impure and unsuitable for use.

Potential Concern
« Carcinogen
« Organ Toxicity
« Birth defects

Found In
Products that sud

What
Procured from the meat, fat bone or genital glands of slaughtered or live animalsAnimals could include sheep, beef, horses, pigs, shark, emu, mink, deer, otter, beavers and more..

Function
Skin conditioning, Perfuming agent.

Potential Concern
« Skin and organ irritation
« Animal welfare
« Sustainability

Found In
All types of face, body, & cosmetic products

What
A mixture of quaternary ammonium salts

Function
Preservative, Anti-microbial agent, Surfactant.

Potential Concern
« Severe skin, eye and respiratory irritant
« Allergy trigger

Found In
Anti-bacterial soap. Moisturizer.

What
Synthetic antioxidants

Function
Preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

Potential Concern
« Potential Carcinogen
« Endocrine disruption
« May cause liver, kidney and thyroid problems

Found In
All types of hair products. All types of face products. All types of body products. All types of cosmetic products.

What
Derived from crushed bodies of insects.

Function
Colorant.

Potential Concern
« Not suitable for vegans
« Animal cruelty

Found In
Makeup: lipstick, blush, nail polish, eye shadow

What
Filters harmful UVA/UVB rays.

Function
Ingredient stabilizer

Potential Concern
« May cause cell damage and mutation
« Endocrine disruption

Found In
Sun care products

Look For
« Oxybenzone (or Benzophenone-3)
« Octinoxate (or octyl methoxycinnamate)
« Octocrylene
« Octisalate
« Homosalate

What
Chemicals that work as surfactants and emulsifying ingredients in personal care products and cleaning products..

Function
Surfactant, pH Adjuster.

Potential Concern
« Allergies
« Skin toxicity
« Endocrine disruption
«  May form carcinogenic nitrosamines
« Inhibited fetal brain development

Found In
Styling products. Hair dye. Mascara. Foundation

Labeled As
« Diethanolamine (DEA)
« Cocamide DEA
« Cocamide MEA
« Triethanolamine (TEA)
« Monoethanlamine (MEA)
« Ethanolamine (ETA)

What
Chemical used in some building materials and household products like flooring, furniture, and fabric

Function
Preservative

Potential Concern
« Carcinogen
« Neurotoxicity
« Developmental toxicity
« Asthma
« Skin/eye irritation
« Allergy trigger

Found In
Shampoo. Body wash. Bubble bath. Nail polish. Eyelash glue

Look For
« DMDM hydantoin
« Diazolidinyl urea (formaldehyde releasing)
« Imidazolidinyl urea (formaldehyde releasing)
« Quaternium-15 (formaldehyde releasing)
« Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
« 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol)
« Tosylamide / formaldehyde resin

What
Depigmentation agent

Function
Skin bleaching, Decreases production of melanin pigments in the skin, Reduces hyperpigmentation

Potential Concern
« Carcinogen
« Increases risk of skin cancer
« Organ system toxicity

Found In
Skin bleaching products. Cleanser. Moisturizer

What
Heavy Metal.

Function
Preservative substance added to delay decomposition and inhibit spoilage by preventing growth of bacteria, yeast, and/or mold in a product. Anti-microbial agent.

Potential Concern
« Neurotoxicity
« Organ and developmental toxicity

Found In
Mascara. Eyeliner

What
Preservative.

Function
Preservatives, Fragrance enhancers

Potential Concern
« Skin irritation
« Sensitizer
« Allergy trigger
« Possible neurotoxicity

Found In
All types of hair products.

What
By-product of petroleum distillation

Function
Moisturizer

Potential Concern
« Skin irritation
« Contact dermatitis
« Allergy trigger
« Contamination with PAHs which are linked to cancer

Found In
All types of face products

Look For

Liquid paraffin
Liquid petrolatum

What
Esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid

Function
Preservatives a substance added to delay decomposition and inhibit spoilage by preventing growth of bacteria, yeast, and/or mold in a product. Anti-microbial agents

Potential Concern
« Endocrine disruption
« Potential carcinogen
« Allergy trigger
« Developmental, reproductive and immune toxicity

Found In
All types of cosmetic, skincare, and hair products.

What
Semisolid mixture derived from processed petroleum. Mineral Oil, Paraffin Wax, Liquid Paraffin, and several other ingredients are also petroleum distillation byproducts.

Function
Used as a barrier to lock moisture in the skin in a variety of moisturizers and also in hair products.

Potential Concern
« Carcinogen
« Skin Irritation
« Contamination concerns

Found In
Shampoos and conditioners to anti-aging creams, body lotions, mascaras, perfumes, lipsticks, lip balms, foundations, hair relaxers, conditioners, eye shadows, and nail polishes.

What
A glycol ether that can either be found in nature or synthetic. Almost all phenoxyethanol used in beauty is synthetic.

Function
Used mainly as a preservative in skincare and cosmetic products.

Potential Concern
« Skin irritant
« Nervous system suppressant
« Connected to reduced fecundity (longer times to get pregnant)

Found In
Nearly any kind of skincare or cosmetic product, as a preservative

What
Ethoxylated ingredient

Function
Thickener ,Solvent, Softener, Moisture-carrier, Penetration enhancer

Potential Concern
« Possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens

Found In
All types of hair products, Moisturizer, Foundation

What
A synthetic ingredient used in cosmetics as a pH adjuster.

Function
Ph adjuster and buffer. Contamination of nitrosamines and oxazolidone

Potential Concern
« Contamination
« Ecotoxicity
« Irritation of the skin, eyes and lungs

Found In
Hair spray, hand sanitizer, mascara, styling gel, spf, moisturizers, hair color, serums/essences, styling mousse/foam, masks, shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments/serums, eye liner, eye shadow, exfoliators, beard care, facial cleansers, concealers, body lotions, brow liners, antiperspirants/deodorants, makeup primers, hand cream, eye cream, body washes, toners, glitter, makeup remover, setting powder, foot creams,, shaving cream, nail polish, detanglers, eyelash glue.

Look For

1-PROPANOL, 2-AMINO-2-METHYL-, 1PROPANOL, 2AMINO2METHYL, 2-AMINO-2-METHYL- 1-PROPANOL, 2-AMINO-2-METHYL-1-PROPANOL, 2-AMINO-2-METHYLPROPANOL, 2-AMINOISOBUTANOL, 2-HYDROXYMETHYL-2-PROPYLAMINE, AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL, and ISOBUTANOLAMINE

What
Retinol is the chemical name of the essential micronutrient vitamin A

Function
Anti aging, Acne treatment

Potential Concern
« Developmental and reproductive toxicity
« Cancer

Found In
Anti-aging creams and lotions, moisturizers, and foundation.

Look For
Retinol, vitamin A, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, all-trans retinoic acid, tretinoin.

What
Synthetic skin conditioning agent.

Function
Skin conditioning, Absorption enhancer, Antistatic

Potential Concern
« May form carcinogenic nitrosamines

Found In
Products that lather (shampoo, cleanser, soaps, some exfoliators)

What
Volatile petrochemical derived from benzene, a known carcinogen

Function
Solvent

Potential Concern
« Neurotoxicity
« Birth defects
« Severe skin and organ irritation
« Links to blood, brain and reproductive cancers
« Reproductive, developmental and immune toxicity

Found In
Hair dye, Nail polish

Look For
Toluol
Benzene
Methylbenzene
Phenylmethane

What
Metallic element.

Function
Blocks the sweat ducts, preventing sweat from reaching the skin’s surface.

Potential Concern
« Carcinogen
« Neurotoxicity
« Endocrine disruption
« Suspected to bioaccumulate within organs
« Skin and organ irritation

Found In
Antiperspirant

What
Alkanolamine

Function
pH Adjuster
Ingredient stabilizer

Potential Concern
« May form carcinogenic nitrosamines
« Reproductive and developmental toxicity
« Skin and organ irritation

Found In
All types of hair products

What
Glycol ether that functions as a fragrance additive with a sweet odor

Function
Fragrance additive, Solvent, Viscosity control.

Potential Concern
« Possible Carcinogen
« Reproductive toxicity
« Skin irritant

Found In
Many products with “fragrance” listed as an ingredient

What
UV absorber.

Function
Ultraviolet light absorber and uv absorber.

Potential Concern
 « Human endocrine disruptor
« Human skin toxicant or allergen

Found In
Nail polish

What
Silicone-based cyclic compound.

Function
Hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, solvent, emollient, hair conditioning, and skin conditioning.

Potential Concern
« Reproductive toxicity
« Developmental toxicity
« Endocrine disruption
« Build up in the food chain

Found In
Hair products including shampoos and conditioners as well as styling products.

What
Byproduct of coal processing.

Function
Colorant – an ingredient that imparts color to a product.Anti-dandruff agent

Potential Concern
« Carcinogen

Found In
Most hair products

Look For
« Coal Tar Solution
« P-phenylenediamine
« Aminophenol
« Diaminobenzene

What
improve stability of some pharmaceutical products, detergents, liquid soaps, shampoos, agricultural chemical sprays, contact lens cleaners and cosmetics.

Function
Binding agent, penetration enhancer.

Potential Concern
« Organ Toxicity

Found In
Hair dye Moisturizer. Cleanser/body wash. Foundation Eye products (mascara, eyeliner).

Look For
« Disodium EDTA
« Calcium Disodium EDTA
« Tetrasodium EDTA and HEDTA
« Others with -EDTA

What
lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, zinc, chromium and iron.

Function
Some metals are intentionally added as ingredients, while others are contaminants.

Potential Concern
« Carcinogen
« Developmental and reproductive toxicity
« Organ system toxicity
« Environmental concerns

Found In
Lip products, whitening toothpaste, eyeliner, nail color, foundations, sunscreens, eye shadows, blush, concealer, moisturizers, eye drops

What
Waxy substance derived mainly from the wool of sheep.

Function
Moisturization and protection

Potential Concern
« Supports cruelty

Found In
Moisturizers, baby balms, lipsticks

What
Solvent to dissolve other substances.

Function
Solvent – a substance in which another substance is dissolved, to form a solution. Used to extract or suspend materials without altering the make up of the other chemicals. A classic example of a solvent is water. Viscosity control

Potential Concern
« Skin irritation
« Cell damage and mutation
« Possible neurotoxicity
« Developmental toxicity

Found In
Anti-aging creams and treatment

Look For

Methoxyethanol

What
Minerals are often used as color additives in cosmetics.

Function
Reflective properties to allow for a shimmery effect.

Potential Concern
« Irritation
« Child labor

Found In
Color cosmetics and in some body lotions

Look For

Muscovite

What
Used to reduce the white chalky tint of mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

A nanoparticle measures in the range of 1-100 nanometers (1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter). 

Little is known about the safety and performance of nanoparticles due to the fact that manufacturers do not have to disclose the qualities of particles in skincare products

Function
UV protection

Penetration and texture enhancer Ingredient stabilizer substance that prevents separation of ingredients, Preservative

Potential Concern
« Potential DNA/cell damage
« Contact dermatitis
« Skin and organ irritation
« Possible organ, reproductive and developmental toxicity

Found In
Anti-aging products and treatments. Sunscreens

What
Group of manufactured chemicals containing 9,000 different compounds that have been around since the 1940s

Function
Compounds added to beauty products to increase their long-term wearability used to increase a product’s durability, spreadability, and wear.

Potential Concern
« Reproductive damage
« Potential carcinogen
« Immune toxicity
« Allergy trigger

Found In
Lipstick, waterproof mascara, foundation

. What
Derived from phthalic acid

Function
Allows lotions to cling better to the skin, and in hair products; it allows the product to cling better to the hair and keep it stiffer longer.

Potential Concern
« Endocrine disruption
« Abnormalities in the male reproductive system
« Damage to the DNA in sperm

Found In
Color cosmetics, fragranced lotions, body washes and hair care products, nail polish and treatment

What
Extract derived from human or animal placentas (often from sheep and horse).

Function
Increases hair thickness Increases collagen production

Potential Concern
« Endocrine disruption
« Exposure to high levels of progesterone and estrogenic chemicals can increase risk of various cancers

Found In
Hair treatments and thickener, Anti-aging products and treatments.

What
Produced by reacting polyol, sorbitol and ethylene oxide

Function
Surfactant, Emulsifying agent

Potential Concern
« Possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens

Found In
All types of hair products, All types of face products, All types of body products

Look For
Polysorbate –20, -40, -60, -80 and others

What
White crystalline solid derived from benzene.

Function
Colorant, Fragrance ingredient, Acne therapy

Potential Concern
« Skin irritation
« Organ and immune toxicity
« Possible endocrine disruption

Found In
Shampoo, Hair Dye, Styling products (foam and mousse)

Look For
2-Methylresorcinol (derivative of resorcinol)

What
By-product of a process called ethoxylation, in which ethylene oxide, is added to other chemicals to make them less harsh.

Function
Surfactant (Cleansing agent that produces suds, bubbles and foam)

Potential Concern
« Contamination with 1,4 –dioxane
« Causes skin and eye irritation
« Can trigger allergies

Found In
Products that lather (shampoo, cleanser, soaps, some exfoliators, body wash, bubble bath)

What
Engineered scent or flavoring agent that usually contains dozens of (but could contain any combination of 3000+) chemical ingredients used to create fragrances. Fragrance and flavor formulas are “trade secrets” and can therefore remain undisclosed.

Function
Scent or flavoring

Potential Concern
« Severe skin and respiratory irritation
« Can trigger allergies, migraines and asthma attacks
« Potential carcinogen
« Neurotoxicity
« Endocrine disruption
« Birth defects

Found In
All types of hair products, All types of face products, All types of body products, All types of cosmetic products

What
An antibacterial chemical

Function
Antimicrobial agent (look for “Microban”)

Potential Concern
« Endocrine disruption
« Toxic to aquatic environments
« Contributes to antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Found In
Antibacterial hand and body soap/cleanser, Hand sanitizer, Antiperspirant