Toxic List
25 Most Harmful and Toxic Ingredients to Avoid.
Carcinogen
Definition:
Any substance that has the potential to cause cancer in living tissues. Carcinogen exposure can occur from the inhalation, ingestion, or absorption of many different types of substances.
Reproductive Harm
Definition:
Interferes with the reproductive organs and alters sexual behavior, decreases fertility, menstrual changes, offsets puberty, increases risk of miscarriages, premature births and increases risk of reproductive cancers.
Neurotoxicity
Definition:
Exposure to neurotoxins that alters the normal activity of the nervous system causing damage to the brain and may disrupt and kill nerve
Environmental Harm
Definition:
Potential contamination of water and soil together with other micro pollutants that contribute ecosystem damage.
Organ Toxicity/ Irritation
Definition:
Occurs in major organs fed by the circulatory system (heart, kidneys, brain, eyes) which can sustain damage due to uncontrolled hypertension, hypotension, or hypovolemia.
DNA/Cell Damage
Definition:
Alteration in the chemical structure of our DNA. May be naturally repaired but will not result to 100% efficiency. Un-repaired DNA may damage and accumulate in non-replicating cells such as in the brain and muscles.
Allergen
Definition:
Causes hypersensitivity of the immune system.
Endocrine Disruption
Definition:
Chemicals that may interfere with the body's endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects.
- What : Blocks sweat ducts
- Where : Found in Antiperspirant
- Concern : Neurotoxicity, carcinogen, organ toxicity
- What : Synthetic derived from petroleum, used as a preservative
- Where : found in lipsticks and moisturizer
- Concern : found in lipsticks and moisturizer
- What : Synthetic derived from petroleum used as a preservative in cosmetics
- Where : Face, body and makeup products lipsticks & eyeshadow
- Concern : Possible carcinogenic- cancer causing and negatively effects hormones
- What : Viscosity Control, Solvent, Fragrance additive
- Where : skincare, makeup, hair care
- Concern : Carcinogen, harmful to organs and reproductive system
- What : Liquid by product of petroleum, used as a colorant (FD&C, Red No.6) and skin treatment
- Where : anti-dandruff shampoo, dry skin treatment, lipsticks
- Concern : Known carcinogen
- What : Binding agent, penetration enhancer
- Where : Moisturizers, Cleansers, Foundation, eye make-up, hair color, soap & body wash
- Concern : May effect internal organs, skin irritation, Avoid any products that contain the letters "eth"
- What : Colorless, flammable gas, used as a Preservative
- Where : Nail polish, hair dye, false eyelashes, shampoos
- Concern : Carcinogen, skin irritation
- What : Preservative, anti-microbial agent
- Where : Mascara, eye drops, lip products, foundation, moisturizers, sun screen
- Concern : Known allergen, can cause reproductive issues, impairs brain development
- What : Bleaching agent and hair coloring agent
- Where : Skin lightening/bleaching cream
- Concern : Carcinogen and linked to reproductive toxicity
- What : Widely used preservative used to prevent bacterial growth
- Where : Shampoo, conditioner, hair color, body wash, face products
- Concern : Skin, eye, lung irritant, may cause damage to brain and nervous system
- What : Petroleum by product
- Where : Baby oil, moisturizers
- Concern : Creates a film that prevents skin's ability to release toxins
- What : Mineral used to filter UVA/UVB rays
- Where : Sunscreens
- Concern : Linked to allergies, hormone disruption, cellular damage, low birth rate
- What : Preservative found in many products
- Where : Moisturizers, hair care, shaving cream, anti-aging products
- Concern : Carcinogen, also linked to reproductive toxicity & breast cancer
- What : crude oil
- Where : crude oil
- Concern : Skin irritant, blocks pores
- What : Used as a preservative in products that contain water. If less than 1% is present, there is very little toxicity; more than 1% can be dangerous.
- Where : Many products hair, face, body, cosmetics
- Concern : Organ toxicity
- What : Plasticizer, solvent used to add flexibility and reduce brittleness of products
- Where : Synthetic Fragrances, hair spray, deodorant, lotion
- Concern : Carcinogen, reproductive harm
- What : Thickener, solvent, moisture carrier
- Where : Moisturizers, foundations, hair products
- Concern : often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane & ethylene oxide, both know carcinogen
- What : Colorant used to add color and disinfectant
- Where : Hair color, acne treatments, bleaching products
- Concern : Toxic to immune system and disrupts hormones
- What : Synthetic vitamin A, often derived from animals, stimulates collagen production
- Where : Creams, moisturizers, hair dye, fragrances
- Concern : Harmful to reproductive system
- What : Made of many toxic chemicals to add a "pleasant scent"
- Where : Perfume, skincare, makeup, deodorant, hair care
- Concern : Allergen, may trigger migraines, asthma, negatively impacts hormones
- What : Surfactant, A former industrial degreaser used to create soap foam
- Where : Cleansers, shampoo, soap, exfoliator, body wash
- Concern : Allergen and organ toxicity
- What : Solvent found in crude oil, petroleum
- Where : Nail polish & remover, Hair dye
- Concern : Skin irritant, carcinogen, negatively impact nervous system
- What : Microbacterial ingredient
- Where : Hand sanitizer, deodorant, soap, toothpaste
- Concern : Carcinogen, hormone disruptor, enables bacteria to become antibiotic resistant
- What : Flame retardant, used to make product flexible and increase plasticity
- Where : Nail polish & remover
- Concern : Hormone disrupter
- What : Similar to asbestos in composition
- Where : eye shadow, blush, deodorant, baby powder
- Concern : Linked to ovarian cancer, respiratory problems
