Name
|
Possible Health or Environmental Concerns
|
Aluminium |
Toxicity levels of aluminium vary depending on its solubility in water as well as the pH range. While aluminum oxide, or aluminum hydroxide are insoluble in water, Elemental aluminum powder is highly toxic. It enhances skin absorption and has high levels of neurotoxicity as well as organ system toxicity. |
Benzalkonium Chloride |
A preservative, surfactant, and anti microbial agent. Associated with severe skin, eye and respiratory irritation and allergies. Can be quite dangerous for people with asthma or skin conditions such as eczema. Found in may household disinfectants and cleaning supplies. |
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) +
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytuloene)
|
Preservatives and Stabalizers. They are linked to skin irritation, endocrine distruptors, and possible carcinogens |
Butoxyethanol |
Used to adjust viscosity in fragrances. Banned in the EU for causing allergic reactions and irritating the skin and lung |
Carbon Black |
Used as a colour. Composed of finely divided particles of elemental carbon obtained by the incomplete combustion on hydrocarbons. Known to cause organ system toxicity. |
Cylic Silicone(s) |
Used as a conditioning agent. Some may cause endocrine distruption as well as reproductive, developmental toxicity. They do not decompose and build up in the environment for thousands of years, contaminating waterways and ecosystems. |
DEA/TEA/ETA |
Used to balance pH levels. Has demonstrated it can cause strong allergic reactions to skin and lungs. |
Dibutyl Phtalate |
Banned from cosmetics and personal care products in California and EU. Exposure during gestation can cause infertility, cryptorchidism and problems in sperm development, adverse effects similar to human testicular dysgenesis syndrome. Prenatal exposure has been associated with anatomical changes in the reproductive system development in baby boys. In adult men, it has been correlated with changes in serum hormone levels, lower sperm concentration and motility, and decreased fertility. |
EDTA |
Binds to metal ions- inactivating them. They are not necessarily harmful to consumers but are harmful to the environment. They have been found in bodies of water and do not break down. |
Ethylene Glycol |
Used as a fragrance and solvent. Carcinagen, and can cause organ toxicity |
Formaldehyde |
Not typically listed as ingredient; it is a carcinogenic impurity released by a number of cosmetic preservatives. •Dmdm Hydantoin •Diazolidinyl Urea •Benzylhemiformal •Quaternium-15 •Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate •2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol Known to cause organ system toxicity. |
Hydroquinone |
A skin lightener. The chemical inhibits melanin synthesis and causes skin irritation. Known to irritate skin, eyes, and lungs. |
Lead, Nickel, Cadmium and Mercury |
Heavy metals are highly toxic and carcinogenic. |
Methylchloroisothiazolinone/ Methylisothiazolinone |
Some products have replaced parabens with these chemicals. Both can cause skin allergies or irritation. Potential to be toxic to the nervous system. Frangance enhancer
|
Mineral Oil + Parrafin Oil + Petrolatum |
Processed from petroleum and petroleum by products. They are often obtained through unsustainable sourcing. A massive concern with these products is they can generate 1,4 Dioxane if not properly refined. This has been shown to cause cancer, is a kidney, neuro and respiratory toxicant. Petroleum products also greatly contaminate groundwater. |
Nitro and Polycyclic Musks |
Suspected hormone distruption and the inability to break down. Distrupting waterways and ecosystems |
Parabens |
Preservatives that can cause hormone distruption. Possibility alter biochemical or cellular levels |
PEG |
Enhance skin absorption of other nasty ingredients. Over 1000 PEG ingredients have been listed in the INCI. Commonly contaminated with 1, 4 Dioxane which is a known carcinagen, eye irritant, can be damaging to the Central Nervous System, liver and Kidneys and an unlisted ingredient. |
PFASs +PFCs |
Used for their ability to repel oil and stains, these chemicalse do not break down and are known to travel extremely long distances. |
Phthalates |
Suspected to cause endocrine distruption. |
Polyacrylamide |
Synthetic polymer that is an environmental toxin and known carcinagen |
P-Phenylenediamine |
Used in hair colour and lightener. Skin toxicant and strong allergen |
Resorcinol |
Found in hair colours. Used as an anti-acne agent, fragrance ingredient. Linked to hormone disruption, allergies, and irritation. |
SLES |
Most ingredients ending in "eth". Used as a surfactant. Commonly contaminated with 1, 4 Dioxane which is a known carcinagen, eye irritant, can be damaging to the Central Nervous System, liver and Kidneys and an unlisted ingredient. |
Sunscreen Ingredients
(Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Paba)
|
A sunscreen ingredient used as a UV filter. Can cause hormone distruption as well as biochemical and cellular level changes. Can alter thyroid behaviour and imbalance estrogen and testosterone levels. Studies have also shown these ingredients can alter birth weight. Not reef friendly. |
Talc |
Talc can be contaminated with asbestos fibers, posing risks for respiratory toxicity and cancer. There is risk of the small particles entering the body through inhalation or genital use of talc-based body powder. Studies by the National Toxicology Panel demonstrated that cosmetic-grade talc free of asbestos is a form of magnesium silicate that also can be toxic and carcinogenic. |
Teflon (PTFE) |
Used as a binding agent and to condition the skin. Known high contamination concerns with a carcinogen. |
Toluene |
Potent neurotoxicant that acts as an irritant, impairs breathing, and causes nausea. Mothers who are exopsed during pregnancy may have developmental damage in fetus. Has also been associated with toxicity to the immune system and a possible link to blood cancer. Usually found in Nail Polish |
Tricolocarbon + Tricolsan |
Antibacterial agent and preservative used in personal care and home cleaning products. They are persistant in the environment and may be associated with hormonal toxicity |
**Synonyms **
|
A forbidden ingredient called any other name is still forbidden. |