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30 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

30 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

Dirty Thirty - Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

The wonderful website Turning Green has a fantastically useful list of chemicals to avoid in personal care products. I've reproduced it here, but I encourage you to go and have a look at this website - there's heaps of useful information.

Here’s the list of the 30 chemicals you should avoid, why they're used, where they’re commonly found, and the associated health concerns.

1. Aluminum Compounds

  • Used for: Controlling sweat and odor.
  • Found in: Antiperspirants.
  • Health concerns: Linked to Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, and potential neurotoxicity.

2. Benzyl Acetate

  • Used for: A solvent found in fragrances.
  • Found in: Many cosmetics.
  • Health concerns: Associated with pancreatic cancer and respiratory issues.

3. Benzalkonium Chloride

  • Used for: Preservative and antimicrobial agent.
  • Found in: Moisturizers, sunscreens.
  • Health concerns: May harm the immune system and trigger asthma.

💡 Pro Tip: Always check the ingredient list, even for products labeled 'natural' or 'organic'—sneaky marketing buzzwords don't always reflect the truth!

4. Bronopol

  • Used for: Preservative.
  • Found in: Makeup removers, body washes.
  • Health concerns: Possible lung and skin toxicity, endocrine disruption.

5. Butyl Acetate

  • Used for: Making nail polish last longer.
  • Found in: Nail treatments.
  • Health concerns: Can cause skin cracking and dizziness.

6. BHT/BHA (Butylated Hydroxytoluene and Hydroxyanisole)

  • Used for: Preventing color change in products.
  • Found in: Cosmetics, skincare.
  • Health concerns: Immune and endocrine issues; potential human carcinogen.

7. Coal Tar

  • Used for: Treating skin conditions and used in hair dyes.
  • Found in: Shampoos and hair dyes.
  • Health concerns: Classified as a human carcinogen.

8. Cocamide DEA

  • Used for: Creating foam and stabilizing shampoos.
  • Found in: Shampoos, bath products.
  • Health concerns: Forms carcinogens when mixed with nitrosating agents.

9. DMDM Hydantoin

  • Used for: Preservative that releases formaldehyde.
  • Found in: Shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care products.
  • Health concerns: Formaldehyde exposure can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and increased cancer risk.

10. Diazolidinyl Urea

  • Used for: Preservative to prevent microbial growth.
  • Found in: Lotions, deodorants, and hair products.
  • Health concerns: Releases formaldehyde, causing potential skin reactions and respiratory irritation.

11. Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA)

  • Used for: Creating foam, adjusting pH levels, and stabilizing formulations.
  • Found in: Shampoos, shaving creams, and bubble baths.
  • Health concerns: May form carcinogenic nitrosamines when combined with other ingredients, and can irritate the skin and eyes.

12. Formaldehyde

  • Used for: Preservative and disinfectant.
  • Found in: Nail polishes, hair treatments, and adhesives.
  • Health concerns: Known human carcinogen linked to skin sensitivity and respiratory issues.

13. Hydroquinone

  • Used for: Lightening skin by reducing pigmentation.
  • Found in: Skin brightening creams and dark spot treatments.
  • Health concerns: Can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and has been linked to cancer in some studies.

14. Lead

  • Used for: Coloring products like lipstick and eyeliner.
  • Found in: Certain cosmetics.
  • Health concerns: Neurotoxin that can impair brain development, especially in children, and cause reproductive toxicity.

15. Mercury (Thimerosal)

  • Used for: Preservative and antibacterial agent.
  • Found in: Eye drops, mascaras, and some skin creams.
  • Health concerns: Can damage the nervous system and kidneys, and may cause skin rashes or allergic reactions.

16. Mineral Oil

  • Used for: Acting as a moisturizer and creating a barrier on the skin.
  • Found in: Lotions, creams, and baby oils.
  • Health concerns: Can clog pores, potentially leading to acne, and is sometimes contaminated with carcinogenic byproducts of petroleum.

17. Parabens (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, etc.)

  • Used for: Preservatives to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
  • Found in: Shampoos, makeup, and lotions.
  • Health concerns: Endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen, potentially increasing the risk of breast cancer and affecting hormone function.

18. PEG Compounds (Polyethylene Glycol)

  • Used for: Thickeners, softeners, and moisture-carriers.
  • Found in: Creams, lotions, and shampoos.
  • Health concerns: May be contaminated with carcinogenic impurities like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane during production.

19. Phthalates (DEP, DBP, DEHP, etc.)

  • Used for: Making fragrances last longer and improving flexibility in products.
  • Found in: Perfumes, nail polishes, and hairsprays.
  • Health concerns: Known endocrine disruptors, linked to reproductive toxicity, developmental issues, and hormonal imbalances.

20. Resorcinol

  • Used for: Dyeing hair and treating acne.
  • Found in: Hair color products and acne treatments.
  • Health concerns: Can irritate the skin and eyes, and may disrupt thyroid function with prolonged exposure.

21. Retinyl Palmitate and Retinol (Vitamin A)

  • Used for: Anti-aging and acne treatments.
  • Found in: Night creams, lotions, and serums.
  • Health concerns: Can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight, potentially causing skin damage, and is linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity when used in excessive amounts.

22. SLS/SLES (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate)

  • Used for: Creating foam and lather.
  • Found in: Shampoos, body washes, and toothpaste.
  • Health concerns: Can cause skin and eye irritation, and SLES may be contaminated with carcinogenic byproducts like 1,4-dioxane.

23. Synthetic Fragrances

  • Used for: Adding scent to products.
  • Found in: Perfumes, lotions, deodorants, and nearly all scented products.
  • Health concerns: Often contain undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates, which can trigger allergies, disrupt hormones, and impact respiratory health.

24. Talc

  • Used for: Absorbing moisture and preventing caking.
  • Found in: Powders, blush, and eyeshadows.
  • Health concerns: May be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen, and linked to ovarian cancer and respiratory issues.

25. Toluene

  • Used for: Improving nail product adhesion.
  • Found in: Nail polishes and hair dyes.
  • Health concerns: Can cause dizziness, skin irritation, and toxicity to the reproductive system and nervous system with prolonged exposure.

26. Triclosan

  • Used for: Antibacterial and antifungal properties.
  • Found in: Toothpaste, soaps, and deodorants.
  • Health concerns: Endocrine disruptor that can harm thyroid function and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

27. UV Filters (Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, etc.)

  • Used for: Protecting skin from UV damage.
  • Found in: Sunscreens, lip balms, and moisturizers with SPF.
  • Health concerns: Can disrupt hormones, harm coral reefs, and may cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin.

28. Synthetic Colors (FD&C or D&C Colors)

  • Used for: Adding vibrant colors to products.
  • Found in: Lipsticks, eyeshadows, and hair dyes.
  • Health concerns: Some synthetic dyes are derived from petroleum or coal tar and may be contaminated with heavy metals that are toxic to the nervous system and potentially carcinogenic.

29. Tetrasodium EDTA

  • Used for: Preserving product stability and enhancing foaming.
  • Found in: Cleansers, shampoos, and body washes.
  • Health concerns: May irritate the skin and eyes, and can enhance absorption of other harmful chemicals into the skin.

30. Xylene

  • Used for: Enhancing product texture.
  • Found in: Nail polishes and hair sprays.
  • Health concerns: Known to cause headaches, dizziness, and is harmful to the central nervous system with extended exposure.

How to Avoid the Dirty Thirty

Now that you know what to watch out for, it's time to take control of your personal care routine. Check the ingredient lists carefully when shopping, and consider switching to more transparent and eco-conscious brands that avoid these harmful chemicals. Every small change makes a big difference for your health and the environment!

💡 Pro Tip: Look for certifications like 'EWG Verified' or 'Made Safe' to ensure your products meet stringent safety standards.

💡 Quick Safety Tip: Consider switching to brands that offer transparency about their ingredient sourcing and safety testing. Cleaner products are becoming more accessible—your health is worth the extra effort!

Next article Is Retinyl Palmitate Safe? What You Should Know