The Toxic List ❌

Ok, so here is the nitty gritty, the nuts and bolts.

Below is a list, by key categories, of ingredients that should be avoided as much as possible.

The ingredients in the list has been proven or has data that suspects that these ingredients are harmful to our bodies and/or the environment.

Fact: More than 1400 ingredients that are in everyday products are banned in countries such as Europe, Japan, etc because they have been proven to be toxic. Wanna know how many are banned in the United States…9. That alone, should get us motivated to make a switch.

To learn more on why you should consider making the switch to living a clean non toxic lifestyle, please read here —> Why Go Clean? I would suggest reading this first before going any further.

The list below is intense but necessary. Here we go.

Toxic Ingredients To Avoid

Note: I am not a Doctor nor a Scientist. This list is based on my own research from a simple google search. It is consistent with the EWG standards. Last update, May 30, 2024.

Carcinogen.

  • Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA)

    • Nitrosamines

  • Aluminum Chlorhydrate

  • Formaldehyde

    • Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea and Quaternium-15

  • Parabens

  • Ethoxylated Ingredients

    • Ceteareth-20, Emulsifying wax, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate-20, 1,4-Dioxane, Ethylene Oxide

  • BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

  • BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

  • Coal tar hair dyes and other coal tar ingredients

  • Hydroquinone

  • Benzene

  • Benzoic Acid

  • Parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others)

  • Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds)

  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES)

  • Perfluorinated compound (PFASs or PFCs)

    • polyfluor

    • perfluor

  • Petrolatum and Paraffin

    • possible PAH contamination. PAH (which stands for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons)

  • Food dyes

  • Polyvinyl Chloride

  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine

  • Diethanolamine

  • Butylene Glycol

Allergen.

  • Methoxyethanol

  • BHT (Butylated Hydroxytolune)

  • Resorcinol

  • Methyl Cellosolve or 2-

  • BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone

  • Methylisothiazolinone

  • Hydroquinone

    • Benzene

  • Methoxyethanol

  • Ethoxylated Ingredients

    • Ceteareth-20, Emulsifying wax, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate-20, 1,4-Dioxane, Ethylene Oxide

  • BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

  • Benzalkonium Chloride

  • Synthetic flavor or fragrance

Skin Irritations.

  • Hydroquinone

  • Benzene

  • Methyl Cellosolve or 2-Methoxyethanol

  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone

  • Nitromusks

  • Polycyclic Musks

  • Parabens

  • Phthalates

  • Resorcinol

  • glacial acetic acid

Toxic to the Environment.

  • Chemical Sunscreens

    • Benzophenone, Oxybenzone, and Octinoxate

    • Avobenzone (appears to be safe but is currently understudied)

  • Cyclic Silicones

    • Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), Cyclohexasiloxane (D6), and Cyclomethicone

  • EDTA

    • Calcium Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA

  • Aluminum Powder

  • Nitromusks

  • Polycyclic Musks

  • Perfluorinated compound (PFASs or PFCs)

  • Triclosan and Triclocarban

  • Polyvinyl Chloride

Hormone/Organ Toxicity.

  • Chemical Sunscreens

    • Benzophenone, Oxybenzone, and Octinoxate

  • Aluminum Chlorhydrate

  • BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

  • BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

  • Cyclic Silicones

    • Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), Cyclohexasiloxane (D6), and Cyclomethicone

  • EDTA

    • Calcium Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA

  • Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA)

    • Nitrosamines

  • Formaldehyde

    • Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea and Quaternium-15

  • Perfluorinated compound (PFASs or PFCs)

    • polyfluor

    • perfluor

  • Resorcinol

  • Toluene

  • Triclosan and Triclocarban

  • Ethylhexylglycerin

  • glacial acetic acid

Source: Credo, EWG

Whew! A lot right?

Do not be discouraged! This is a jog, not a sprint. It is a process and you got this.

Below, I have summarized, in common categories, where you will find toxic ingredients in certain products.

SkinCare/Haircare/Hygiene:

  • Body lotion, Body soap, Face moisturizers, Suncreen, Face wash, Face mask, Serums, Toothpaste, Hand soap, Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner, Gels, Hairspray, Hair spritz

    • Benzalkonium Chloride

    • Butylatedhydroxy Anisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluen

    • Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

    • Hydroquinone

      • Benzene

    • Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone

    • Benzophenone, Oxybenzone, and Octinoxate

    • Parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others)

    • Ethoxylated Ingredients

      • Ceteareth-20, Emulsifying wax, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate-20, 1,4-Dioxane, Ethylene Oxide

    • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES)

    • Synthetic flavor or fragrance

    • Ethylhexylglycerin

    • Phenoxyethanol (maximum concentration of 1.0%)

    • Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds)

    • Petrolatum and Paraffin

      • possible PAH contamination. PAH (which stands for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons)

    • Triclosan and Triclocarban

    • Aluminum Chlorhydrate

    • Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA)

    • Formaldehyde

      • Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea and Quaternium-15

    • Food dyes

Makeup:

  • Foundation, eye shadow, blush, mascara, lip/eye pencils, lip stick, lip gloss, Nail polish

    • Benzophenone, Oxybenzone, and Octinoxate

    • Butylatedhydroxy Anisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene

    • Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

    • Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA)

    • Parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others)

    • Phthalates

    • Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds)

    • Ethoxylated Ingredients

      • Ceteareth-20, Emulsifying wax, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate-20, 1,4-Dioxane, Ethylene Oxide

    • Petrolatum and Paraffin

      • possible PAH contamination. PAH (which stands for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons)

    • Synthetic flavor or fragrance

    • Toluene

Food:

  • Food:

    • All foods

      • High fructose corn syrup (HFCS)

      • Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

      • Ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA)

      • Parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others)

      • Ethoxylated Ingredients

        • Ceteareth-20, Emulsifying wax, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate-20, 1,4-Dioxane, Ethylene Oxide

      • Synthetic flavor or fragrance

      • MSG

      • Sulfur Dioxide

      • Trans fats

      • Ethylhexylglycerin

      • Bovine Somatotropin (BST)

      • Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds)

      • Potassium bromate

      • Petrolatum and Paraffin

        • possible PAH contamination. PAH (which stands for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons)

      • Triclosan and Triclocarban

      • Aluminum Chlorhydrate

      • Aspartame and Acesulfame-K

      • Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA)

      • Food dyes

        • Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6

Cleaning Products:

  • Bathroom, Carpet, Air Fresheners, Kitchen, Dish detergent, laundry detergent

    • Benzophenone, Oxybenzone, and Octinoxate

    • Avobenzone (appears to be safe but is currently understudied)

    • Cyclic Silicones

      • Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), Cyclohexasiloxane (D6), and Cyclomethicone

    • EDTA

      • Calcium Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA

    • Aluminum Powder

    • Nitromusks

    • Polycyclic Musks

    • Perfluorinated compound (PFASs or PFCs)

    • Triclosan and Triclocarban

    • Polyvinyl Chloride

    • Formaldehyde

      • Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea and Quaternium-15

Still overwhelmed? I understand!

While the information above is very intimidating and overwhelming, is necessary to put this list out there so you can have it and use it as a reference. Now that, that is done. Let’s have some fun! 🌱

Harmful ingredients to avoid

Toxic ingredients to avoid

Ingredients to avoid in beauty products

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