Parabens: This ingredient is used as a preservative
FOUND IN- makeup, body wash, cleansers, deodorant, shampoo..
MODERATE/HIGH RISK- Parabens are a potential carcinogen, and act as an endocrine disruptor, have the potential to disrupt the reproductive system, and are a potential irritant of skin/lungs -- think allergic reactions, rashes, etc.. Not something I want to be using on my body!
OTHER NAMES- anything starting with with ethyl, butyl, methyl, or propyl is in the paraben family
Phthalates: This is used to add softness/flexibility to products
FOUND IN- moisturizer, hair spray, perfumes, deodorants, lotions…
HIGH RISK- especially harmful for men as they can cause reproductive disruption and cancers
OTHER NAMES- sorry guys there's just too many! Try to look out for products that clearly display their rejection of phthalates -- if that isn't stated, then the main forms of phthalates are butyl benzyl, dibutyl, cetyl triethylmonium dimethicone PEG-8, dimethyl, diethyl, DIGLYCOL/ CHDM/ ISOPHTHALATES/ SIP COPOLYMER, POLYBUTYLENE TEREPHTHALATE, TEREPHTHALATE, and POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE
Sulphates: This ingredient is used as a foaming agent
FOUND IN- shampoo, body wash, mascara, acne treatments, hand soap…
MODERATE RISK- This is a known skin/eye/lungs irritant, has the potential to cause organ toxicity, has links to cell damage, and can cause hair loss,
OTHER NAMES- there are many types of sulphates, but the ones to look out for (the ones that are understood to be linked to negative effects) are Sodium Laureth, Myreth, Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl and Laureth Sulfate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, TEA Lauryl Sulfate, TEA-dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Alkylbenzene Sulfonate, Ammonium, and Sodium Xylenesulfonate
Toluene: This is used as a solvent
FOUND IN- hair dye, bleach, nail polish, nail treatments…
HIGH RISK- This ingredient is actually restricted by the EU due to its potential to disrupt the brain, reproductive system, development, and nervous system; it is a known irritant of skin/lungs/eyes, and can cause light headedness/dizziness
OTHER NAMES- BENZENE, METHYL; METHYL- BENZENE; METHYLBENZENE; TOLUOL; ANTISAL 1A; BENZENE, METHYL-; CP 25; METHACIDE; METHANE, PHENYL-; METHYLBENZENE
Formaldehyde: This ingredient is used as a preservative
FOUND IN- nail products, hair dye, fake eyelash glues, shampoos, hair gels, lotions..
HIGH RISK- This ingredient is suspected to be carcinogenic, and it causes organ toxicity and acts as an irritant
OTHER NAMES: FORMALIN; FORMIC ALDEHYDE; MERTHALDEHYDE; METHANAL; METHYL ALDEHYDE; OXOMETHANE; OXYMETHYLENE
Fragrance: This ingredient can be natural, but as 'fragrance' is a general term that bundles any number of ingredients used for adding and dispersing scents into one umbrella name, and these ingredients are not required to be listed, you just never know if the fragrance is synthetic or not!
FOUND IN- lotion, perfume, lip products, moisturizer, cleanser, nail products, shampoo, body wash… pretty much anything and everything!
HIGH/MODERATE RISK- known irritant for lungs/skin/eyes (violent coughing, vomiting, hyperpigmentation, headaches…)
OTHER NAMES- like I mentioned before, 'fragrance' can contain up to 200 ingredients, but as it's a “trade secret” they only list the ingredient name as Fragrance, Parfum, or Aroma
Propylene Glycol: This ingredient is used for conditioning
FOUND IN- hairspray, shampoo, sunscreen, conditioner, moisturizer, makeup…
MODERATE RISK- This is a known skin irritant (not good for sensitive skin or those with eczema!)
OTHER NAMES- this is an odd one, as it can be a naturally derived ingredient, but in most high street/high end brands it is a synthetic one - look out for the following names: 1,2-DIHYDROXYPROPANE; 1,2-PROPANEDIOL; 2-HYDROXYPROPANOL; METHYLETHYL GLYCOL; PROPANE-1,2-DIOL; 1,2-DIHYDROXYPROPANE; 1,2-PROPYLENE GLYCOL; 1,2-PROPYLENGLYKOL (GERMAN) ; ALPHA-PROPYLENEGLYCOL; DOWFROST; METHYLETHYLENE GLYCOL
Synthetic Colours: This ingredient is used for adding colour to a product
FOUND IN- lipsticks, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner...
MODERATE/HIGH RISK- some synthetic colours have been banned by the EU for links to cancer, and they all are a potential irritant
OTHER NAMES- labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number
Triclosan: This ingredient is used as an antibacterial and/or a preservative
FOUND IN-
antibacterial products, hand sanitizers, toothpastes, deodorants
HIGH RISK-
This has the potential to disrupt endocrine system, and acts as an irritant for skin/eyes/lungs
OTHER NAMES-
2,4,4'-TRICHLORO-2'-HYDROXY DIPHENYL ETHER; 5-CHLORO-2- (2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXY) - PHENOL; 5-CHLORO-2- (2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXY) PHENOL; PHENOL, 5-CHLORO-2- (2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXY) -; PHENOL, 5CHLORO2 (2,4DICHLOROPHENOXY) ; 2,4,4'-TRICHLORO-2'-HYDROXYDIPHENYL ETHER; 5-CHLORO-2- (2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXY) PHENOL; CH 3565; IRGASAN; IRGASAN DP300; PHENOL, 5-CHLORO-2- (2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXY)
Posts
I second you in this! I am not even entertaining the idea of using a product if it has any of those ingredients.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how little people know about what is in the products they use -- it really changes your perspective when you know! My general rule of thumb is if I can't pronounce it, I probably don't want it on my skin :)
DeleteWhat a sobering reminder to read labels - every time. I adore fragrance so will have to explore further with each brand what it is exactly that I am actually buying. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this, it is a really useful list.
ReplyDelete