21 ingredients we say no to

What it is: Many Parabens have been linked to hormonal disruption.

Alternative names: Butylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben

What it is: More commonly found in fragrance which creates a “sweet” scent, but causes abnormal red blood cell count when exposure is routine. Can be used in cosmetics, which causes skin irritation.

Alternative names: 2-Butoxyethanol

What it is: A Toluene based preservative linked to skin irritation.

Alternative names: Butylated Hydroxytoluene

What it is: Data shows that some cyclic silicones may have reproductive, developmental toxicity and/or endocrine disruption concerns.

Alternative names: D4. D5. D6.

What it is: These ingredients may be contaminated with chemicals such as Nitosamines which have been linked to cancer.

Alternative names: Diethanolamine, Cocamide DEA, Cocamide MEA, DEA-Cetyl Phosphate, DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate, Lauramide DEA, Linoleamide MEA, Myristamide DEA, Oleamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate, Triethanolamine

What it is: Phthalates are plasticizing chemicals that often remain undisclosed on ingredient labels, sometimes hiding under the term 'fragrance'. Some phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption.

Alternative names: DBP (dibutyl phthalate), DINP (diisononyl phthalate), BBP (benzyl butyl phthalate), DNOP (di-n-octyl phthalate), DEHP (di-2-Ethylhexyl phthalate), DMP (dimethyl phthalate), DIDP (dodecyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate)

What it is: These ingredients are derived from petroleum and petroleum distillation byproducts. PAH contamination, linked to cancer, is possible.

Alternative names: Mineral Oil

What it is: Potentially harmful to aquatic life due to inability to break down in the environment.

Alternative names: Calcium Dosdium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA

What it is: Typically not listed as an ingredient, the list of alternative names shows some of the ingredients that are likely to contain Formaldehyde "releasers" or "donors".

Alternative names: DM DM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl, Quaternium-15

What it is: A metabolite of the carcinogen Benzene. This ingredient is typically used for skin lightening and cause skin irritation and discolouration.

Alternative names: Benzene-1,4-diol, Quinol

What it is: This solvent is used as an additive in perfumes and can cause skin irritation as well as effects to the central nervous system, blood, bone, marrow, kidneys and liver. This product is banned in the EU.

Alternative names: 2-Methoxyethanol

What it is: Banned in the EU from use in leave-on cosmetic products and limited to very small amounts in rinse off products, this ingredient can cause skin allergies and may be toxic to the nervous system.

Alternative names: Methylisothiazolinone

What it is: This synthetic musk has health and environmental concerns ranging from suspected endocrine disruption to widespread environmental persistence.

Alternative names: Polycyclic Musks

What it is: This category of compounds do not break down in the environment and many have been linked to a variety of health issues including cancer, hormone disruption, liver toxicity and obesity.

Alternative names: PFCs (Perfluorinated compound)

What it is: These ingredients are derived from petroleum and petroleum distillation byproducts. PAH contamination, linked to cancer, is possible.

Alternative names: Paraffin Wax, Liquid Paraffin

What it is: Usually found in nail polish, Toluene is a solvent that is toxic to the immune system and may cause birth defects.

Alternative names: Methylbenzene

What it is: These antibacterials are often used in personal care and home cleaning products and may be associated with hormone disruption.

Alternative names: Triclocarban

What it is: A preservative linked to cancer, skin irritation and hormone disruption.

Alternative names: Butylated Hydroxyanisole

Alternative names: Skin irritant - ambiguous

What it is: Aluminum powder is a toxicant in high doses.

What it is: Ethoxylated ingredients are synthetically produced using Ethylene Oxide which is a known carcinogen. 1,4 Dioxane is often found to contaminate these ingredients and in another known carcinogen. 1,4-Dioxane does not appear on ingredient labels. Ethoxylated compounds appear in many common ingredients (see list in alternative names for some of these).

Alternative names: Sodium Laureth Sulfates (SLES) and most ingredients ending in "-eth". Emulsifying wax. PEGS (polyethylene glycol) compounds. Polysorbate-20.