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

Found in:Products that sud

Listed as: Being that it is a byproduct, and a contaminant, it is not listed on ingredient labels.  Look for ingredients that end in “eth” or “oxynol”

Risks:It is a known carcinogen, causes reproductive toxicity, and organ toxicity.

Function: Block the sweat ducts

Found in: Antiperspirant

Listed as: Aluminum Chloride, Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Aluminum Hydroxybromide, Aluminum Zirconium

Risks: Known neurotoxin, bioaccumulates within the organs, possible carcinogen

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Function: preservative

Found in: all types of face, body, hair, and cosmetic products as well as food

Listed as: BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene

Risks: Endocrine Disruption, potential carcinogen, may cause liver, kidney and thyroid issues, skin irritant

Function: antimicrobial agent

Found in: hand soaps, moisturizers

Listed as: Benzalkonium Chloride

Risks: Severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritant, bacterial resistance

Function: Solvent, viscosity control, fragrance additive

Found in: most products containing synthetic fragrance

Listed as: Butoxyethanol

Risks: Possible carcinogen, reproductive toxicity, skin irritant

Function: Absorb UV rays before they can cause damage to skin, ingredient stabilizer

Found in: Sun care products

Listed as: Avobenzone, Benzophenone; Diphenylmethanone; Diphenyl Ketone; 119-61-9; Benzoylbenzene; Phenyl Ketone; Oxybenzone; 2-Hydroxy-4 Methoxybenzophenone; 131-57-7; Benzophenone-3; (2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxyphenyl), Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate, and Octinoxate

Risks: Cell damage and mutation, endocrine disruption, toxic to coral reefs and aquatic life

Function: To soften skin, control itching.  Also used in many synthetic colors.

Found in: Shampoo, (especially anti-dandruff varieties) conditioner, lipstick, hair dye, toothpaste, mouthwash.

Listed as: Coal Tar Solution, P-phenylenediamine, Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, and sometimes not listed on ingredient labels.

Risks:  Eye and skin irritant, known human carcinogen.  (The EU banned Coal Tar in 2004.)

Function: Surfactant, foaming agent, emulsifying agent, foaming agent, pH adjusting chemical.

Found in: Shampoo, soap, facial cleanser, body wash, hair dye, hair relaxer, deodorant, moisturizer, baby products, acne treatment products, shaving products.

Listed as: Cocamide DEA, Lauramide DEA, Cocamide MEA, DEA-Cetyl Phosphate, DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate, Linoleamide MEA, /myristamide DEA, Oleamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, TEA Laryl Sulfate, Triethanolamine.

Risks: Inhibited fetal brain development, endocrine disruption, skin toxicity, allergies, may form carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines on the skin or in the body after absorption

Function: Binding agent, penetration enhancer.

Found in: Cleansers, body wash, soap, hair color, makeup, moisturizers.

Listed as: Disodium EDTA, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA and HEDTA, Others with -EDTA.

Risks: organ toxicity

Function: Preservative, germicide, fungicide.

Found in: Moisturizer, styling products, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray/dyes, “keratin” hair treatments, anti-aging treatments, facial cleanser, sunscreen, facial moisturizer, foundation, eye makeup, acne treatments, mascara, body wash/cleansers, deodorant, concealer, exfoliator, powder, body scrubs, bath oils/salts, eye/contact care, lip makeup, shaving products, after sun product, douche/personal cleanser, makeup remover, depilatory cream/hair remover, liquid hand soap, nail polish, synthetic fragrance.

Listed as: Cormaline, Formis Aldehyde, Oxymethane, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol), Tosylamide / Formaldehyde Resin.  Sometimes it is not listed on the label because it is a by-product of two other ingredients, such as DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, etc.

Risks: Known human carcinogen, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, irritant to the eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract, can damage DNA. (Banned by the European Union.)

Function: Skin bleaching agent

Found in: Skin bleaching products like cleansers and moisturizers that claim to help hyperpigmentation

Listed as: Hydroquinone

Risks:  A metabolite of the carcinogen, Benzene, increases the risk of skin cancer, organ toxicity

Function: Preservative, antimicrobial agent.

Found in: Eye makeup.

Listed as: Thimerosol

Risks: Neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, developmental toxicity, nervous system damage

Function: Solvent, used for viscosity control

Found in: Fragrance, anti-aging creams and treatments

Listed as: Methoxyethanol

Risks: Developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, cell damage and mutation, skin irritant (banned in the EU)

Also Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Function: Preservative, fragrance enhancer

Found in: All types of hair, body, face and cosmetic products

Listed as: Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Risks: Neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, nervous system toxicity, skin irritant, allergen

Function: Moisturizer

Found in: All types of face, body and cosmetic products

Listed as: Mineral Oil, Liquid Paraffin, Paraffin Wax, Liquid Petrolatum

Risks: Skin irritation, contact dermatitis, allergy trigger, possible contamination with PAH’s (Polyaromtic Hydrocarbons) which are linked to cancer, and unsustainable sourcing

Function: UV protection, texture and penetration enhancer, ingredient stabilizer (prevents separation), preservative

Found in: Sunscreens and anti-aging products

Listed as: Nanoparticles are not listed on ingredient labels.  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.

Risks: Possible cell/DNA damage, possible organ, developmental and reproductive toxicity, skin

Function: Preservative, anti-microbial agent

Found in: All types of face, body, hair, and cosmetic products

Listed as: Methyl/Ethyl/Propyl/Butyl/Isobutyl Paraben

Risks: Known hormone/Endocrine disruptor, allergy trigger.  Increased risk of infertility, certain types of cancer.  Impairs development of fetus/young children.

Function: Preservative

Found in: All types of face, body, hair and cosmetic products

Listed as: Phenoxyethanol

Risks: Nervous system suppressant, skin irritant, linked to fecundity (longer time getting pregnant)

Personal Note: I make an exception if this is the last ingredient on an otherwise nontoxic product label, and it is a product that I love and for which I cannot find a better option, but I never use products that contain Phenoxyethanol on my children.

Function: Industrial chemicals derived from phthalic acid used as plasticizers and solvents

Found in: Virtually all synthetic fragrance, which means they are found in all types of face, body, hair and cosmetic products

Listed as: Anything with “Phthalate” in its name, DBP, DEHP, DMP, DEP, but in fragrance it is not listed at all.

Risks: Suspected carcinogen to the lungs, kidneys, and liver.  Known endocrine (hormone) disruptor.  Can cause birth defects in male reproductive system and can impair fertility.

Function: Thickener, solvent, softener, penetration enhancer, moisture carrier, humectant, keeps products from freezing in cold or melting in heat

Found in: All types of face, body, hair and cosmetic products

Listed as: Polyethylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Diethylene glycol, 1-2 Propanol, Propanediol, 1-2 Dihydroxypropane, Methylethylene Glycol.

Risks: Possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens, alters skin structure, allowing for deeper penetration of itself and other chemicals.  Skin irritant, allergen.

Function: Emulsifying agent, surfactant

Found in: All types of face, body, hair and cosmetic products

Listed as: Polysorbate –20, -40, -60, -80 and others

Risks: Possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens

Function: Colorant, fragrance ingredient, acne treatment

Found in: Hair dye and other hair products, skincare products

Listed as: Resorcinol, 2-Methylresorcinol (derivative of resorcinol)

Risks: Allergen, skin irritant, endocrine disruption, organ and immune toxicity

Function: Antistatic, absorption enhancer, skin conditioner

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

Listed as: Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Risks: May form carcinogenic nitrosamines

and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Function: Inexpensive surfactants that foam and clean while cutting through oil.

Found in: Products that later, some exfoliants, mascara, toothpaste

Listed as: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate, PEG Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, Sodium Salt Sulphuric acid.

Risks: Endocrine (hormone) disruptor, skin and eye irritant, cannot be metabolized by the liver.

Function: Flavoring or scent

Found in: Almost Everything

Listed as: Fragrance, Perfume, Parfum

Risks: Eye, skin and respiratory allergen and irritant.  Some are known neurotoxins. The vast majority contain Phthalates, which are endocrine (hormone) disruptors.

Function: Solvent.

Found in: Nail polish, nail hardener, hair dye, fragrance

Listed as: “T”, Toluol, Methylbenzene, Phenylmethane, Benzene

Risks: Neurotoxicity, Links to blood, brain and reproductive cancers, birth defects, reproductive, developmental and organ, and immune toxicity, severe skin irritant (banned in the European Union)

Function: Synthetic antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral agent and preservative.

Found in: soaps, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, mouthwash, acne treatments, antiperspirants, makeup.

Listed as: Triclosan, many other variations involving the prefix “Chloro”, “Microban”

Risks: Skin, eye, & lung irritant, endocrine (hormone) disruptor, contributes to antibiotic resistance in bacteric, toxic to aquatic life