WHAT IS IT?
Ingredient generated by an ethoxylation process, in which ethylene oxide is added to chemicals to make them less aggressive on the skin.
FUNCTION
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Carcinogenic, organ toxic, birth defects.
WHERE IS IT?
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
Aroma fixative.
FUNCTION
Used to fix fragrances in cosmetics and personal care.
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Considered carcinogenic. Read more: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/acetaldehyde.pdf
WHERE IS IT?
Many cosmetic products.
Be careful not to use it especially in lip products.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
Acetaldehyde / Benzene Acetaldehyde / Alpha Tolaldehyde / Alpha-Toluic Aldehyde / Metaldehyde
WHAT IS IT?
Solvent.
FUNCTION
Remove other products (Nail polish).
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Irritation to skin, eyes and lungs / Toxic to organs / Carcinogenic.
Read more: https://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/p0000467/p0000467.asp
WHERE IS IT?
Very common in nail polish removers, but also found in cosmetics and hair products.
LOOK FOR IT ALSO AS:
2-Propanone / Benzylidene Acetone / Anisilidene Acetone / Alpha-methyl Anisilidene Acetone
WHAT IS IT?
Metal element.
FUNCTION
Blocks sweat ducts to prevent sweat from reaching the skin.
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Skin irritation. It affects animal welfare and sustainability.
WHERE IS IT?
Cosmetic products for body and face.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
INGREDIENT
Benzalkonium chloride.
WHAT IS IT?
Mixture of quaternary ammonium salts.
FUNCTION
Preservative, anti-microbial agent and surfactant.
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Causes severe damage to the skin, eyes and respiratory system / stimulates allergies.
WHERE IS IT?
Antibacterial soap and creams.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
Synthetic antioxidant.
FUNCTION
Conservative
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Carcinogenic. Hormone disruptor and associated with thyroid problems.
WHERE IS IT?
All personal care products and cosmetics.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
Glycol ether that functions as a fragrance additive.
FUNCTION
Enhances fragrance/solvent
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Carcinogenic/toxic to the reproductive system and skin irritant
WHERE IS IT?
Many products have the word "fragrance" in their ingredient list.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
Filters to protect against UVA/UVB rays
FUNCTION
Sun protection
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Causes cell damage and cell mutation. Endocrine disruptors
WHERE IS IT?
Sunscreens
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
Oxybenzone / Octocrylene / Homosalate / Avobenzone
Silicone compound
FUNCTION
It helps the product application to be smooth and leave a velvety, matte effect.
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Endocrine disruptor / Toxic to the reproductive system / Environmentally non-biodegradable. Read more: https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/dirty-dozen-siloxanes/
WHERE IS IT?
Skincare products / hair products, especially creams and conditioners
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
Cyclomethicone
WHAT IS IT?
FUNCTION
Surfactant and pH Adjuster
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Causes allergies/ Endocrine disruptor/ Prevents brain growth in unborn babies.
WHERE IS IT?
Makeup base/Hair color and mascara.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
Diethanolamine (DEA) / Cocamide / Triethanolamine / Ethanolamine
WHAT IS IT?
FUNCTION
Promotes the penetration and absorption of products.
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Organ toxicity
WHERE IS IT?
Body washes and skin cleansers. Eyeliners and mascaras.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
Disodium EDTA / Tetrasodium EDTA
WHAT IS IT?
Conservative
FUNCTION
Prevent the growth of microbes on products.
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Neurotoxicity / carcinogenic / causes asthma / skin irritant / causes allergies
WHERE IS IT?
Shampoos, bubble baths and eyelash glue.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
Diazolidinyl urea/ Quaternium- 15
WHAT IS IT?
Chemical compound
FUNCTION
Whitens skin / Reduces spots / Controls hyperpigmentation
POTENTIAL CONCERN
It increases the risk of cancer and is toxic to organs.
WHERE IS IT?
Facial serums and creams.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
Chemical compound
FUNCTION
Solvent and controls the viscosity of products.
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Skin irritant / possible link to neurotoxicity / damages cells
WHERE IS IT?
Anti-aging creams and treatments
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
Methoxyethanol
WHAT IS IT?
Oil produced by the petroleum distillation process
FUNCTION
Moisturizer
POTENTIAL CONCERN
PHA contamination linked to cancer/skin irritation/dermatitis
WHERE IS IT?
Products for facial use
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
Paraffin and petrolatum
WHAT IS IT?
It is used to prevent the formation of a white layer on mineral sunscreens.
FUNCTION
UV SPF/ Promotes mineral penetration
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Endocrine disruptor/Causes DNA and cell damage/Nanoparticles are not declared on labels.
WHERE IS IT?
Sunscreens
WHAT IS IT?
Conservative
FUNCTION
Prevent the growth of microbes on products
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Endocrine disruptor, carcinogen, and affects the development of the reproductive system and the immune system.
WHERE IS IT?
All personal care products and cosmetics.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
Conservative
FUNCTION
Prevent the growth of microbes on products
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Irritant/Associated with fertility problems (It takes longer to get pregnant)
WHERE IS IT?
All personal care and cosmetic products
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
Of animal or human origin (very common from sheep and horses)
FUNCTION
Increases hair thickness and promotes collagen production
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Exposure to high levels of progesterone and estrogen. Endocrine disruptor.
WHERE IS IT?
Hair treatments and anti-aging products
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
Ethoxylated ingredient
FUNCTION
Improves consistency in products/solvent/moisturizer and favors penetration and/or absorption of the product
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens.
WHERE IS IT?
Hair products, creams, perfumes and makeup bases.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
Produced through a chemical reaction of polyol, sorbitol and ethylene oxide.
FUNCTION
Surfactant and emulsifier
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens.
WHERE IS IT?
All hair, facial and body products.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
Polysorbate -20, -40, -60, -80 and others.
WHAT IS IT?
Result of ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide is added to other products to make them less aggressive
FUNCTION
Surfactant (Cleaning agent that creates a lot of foam).
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane, known as carcinogens/causes eye and skin irritation/triggers allergies.
WHERE IS IT?
Shampoos, soaps, bubble baths and exfoliants.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
They are chemical compounds mixed to create aroma.
FUNCTION
They provide aroma to the products.
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Causes respiratory problems/ Triggers allergies, migraines, and asthma attacks/ Neurotoxic/ Endocrine system disruptor/ Birth defects
WHERE IS IT?
All hair, facial and body products.
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
WHAT IS IT?
FUNCTION
Antimicrobial agent
POTENTIAL CONCERN
Endocrine disruptor / toxic to rivers, lakes and oceans / contributes to antibiotic resistance in bacteria
WHERE IS IT?
Antibacterials, soaps and deodorants
SEARCH IT ALSO AS:
