The following substances found in cosmetics and toiletries are known to be harmful

yes, it's a long list....

  • aerosol gases: contained in spray-cans such as hairspray- and antiperspirant-spray. Highly damaging to the ozone-layer, harmful to lungs when inhaled. 
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate,  Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: carcinogenic, used as a foaming agent
  • Mica: related to asbestos, contained in many facial powders, eye-shadows etc.
  • Talc: carcinogenic when inhaled, found in many cosmetic powders
  • all parabens: also including propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl; reproductive toxin and endocrine disruptor, linked to breast-cancer
  • p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as "CI" followed by a five digit number: carcinogenic, can be contaminated with toxins that accumulate in the brain.
  • Dibutyl phthalate: reproductive toxin
  • DMDM hydantoin: carcinogenic
  • diazolidinyl urea: carcinogenic
  • imidazolidinyl urea: carcinogenic
  • methenamine: carcinogenic
  • quarternium-15: carcinogenic
  • PEG compounds: carcinogenic
  • Petrolatum: carcinogenic
  • ingredients ending in -siloxane or - methicone: reproductive toxin and endocrine disruptor
  • Triclosan: used in antibacterial products like toothpastes, deodorants, cleansers etc., may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, endocrine disruptor
  • Formaldehyde: carcinogenic, asthmagen, toxic to the brain
  • Ceteareth: linked to cancer
  • Polyethylene glycol: linked to cancer
  • Methylisothiazolinone & methylchloroisothiazolinone: brain toxins
  • Petroleum distillates: often found in mascara, carcinogenic, can cause dermatitis
  • Resorcinol: toxic to the immune-system
  • Retinyl palmitate and retinol: can cause skin cancer and DNA-damage upon sun-exposure
  • alpha and beta hydroxy acids: use of products containing these substances has been found to double risk of skin cancer
  • lactic acid
  • glycolic acid
  • fragrance: this is a collective term for substances that are used to provide scent to a product. Fragrances often contain a number of hazardous chemicals. It's best to opt for "fragrance free" or products where the fragrance is specified as being made up of essential oils only.


As a general rule, the more chemical ingredients are listed in any given skin-care/cosmetic or toiletry product, the more suspicious you should be. Try to opt for products that list mainly natural ingredients you can easily identify, for instance "almond oil" or "aloe vera". 




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