1. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
-used as preservatives in lipsticks and moisturizers
-can induce allergic reactions in the skin
-interferes with hormone function
2. Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as "CI" followed by a five digit number (in the 75000 and 77000 series, respectively)
-used in cosmetics
-may also be listed ("FD&C" or "D&C" followed by a colour name and number)
-p-phenylenediamine is a particular coal tar dye used in many hair dyes (Darker hair dyes tend to contain more phenylenediamine)
-potential to cause cancer
-may be contaminated with low levels of heavy metals and some are combined with aluminum substrate toxic to the brain)
-colours not approved as food additives are used lipstick.
-"FD&C" indicates colours approved Food and Drug Administration -"D&C" colours are not approved for use in food
-very toxic to aquatic organisms
-long-term exposure to high doses of BHT is toxic in mice and rats, causing liver, thyroid and kidney problems and affecting lung function and blood coagulation
3. DEA (diethanolamine) and DEA related ingredients like cocamide and lauramide -MEA (monoethanolamide) and TEA (triethanolamine)
-Formaldehyde-releasing agents used as preservatives in a wide range of cosmetics
-used to make cosmetics creamy or sudsy
-DEA is mainly found in moisturizers and sunscreens, while cocamide and lauramide DEA are found in soaps, cleansers, and shampoos
-DEA and its compounds cause mild to moderate skin and eye irritation
-In laboratory experiments, exposure to high doses of these chemicals has been shown to cause liver cancers and precancerous changes in skin and thyroid
DEA compounds can also react with nitrites in cosmetics to form nitrosamines, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies as a possible human carcinogen
-cocamide DEA is hazardous to the environment because of its acute toxicity to aquatic organisms and potential for bioaccumulation
4. Dibutyl phthalate-DBP
-used mainly in nail products as a solvent for dyes and as a plasticizer that prevents nail polishes from becoming brittle
-can enhance the capacity of other chemicals to cause genetic mutations, although it has not been shown to be a mutagen itself
-Phthalates have been linked to early puberty in girls, reduced sperm count in men, and reproductive defects in the developing male fetus (when the mother is exposed during pregnancy
-Phthalate metabolites are also associated with obesity and insulin resistance in men
-In laboratory experiments, it has been shown to cause developmental defects, changes in the testes and prostate and reduced sperm counts
-suspected endocrine disruptor on the basis of evidence that it interferes with hormone function
-exposure to phthalates may cause health effects such as liver and kidney failure in young children when products containing phthalates are sucked or chewed for extended periods
-very toxic to aquatic organisms
-toxic to wildlife and the environment
5. Formaldehyde releasing preservatives- DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quaternium-15, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate as well as Tosylamide/formaldehyde resin
-used in nail polishes
-These ingredients are a concern because they slowly and continuously release small amounts of formaldehyde
-formaldehyde in cosmetics can also be absorbed through the skin
-DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15 can irritate skin and eyes and trigger allergies at low doses
6. Parabens-methylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben, Parahydroxybenzoic acid, Parahydroxybenzoate, Ethylparaben, Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
-most widely used preservative in cosmetics
-also used as fragrance ingredients, but consumers won't find that listed on the label
-easily penetrate the skin
-may interfere with hormone function
-can mimic estrogen, the primary female sex hormone
-has been detected in human breast cancer tissues, suggesting a possible association between parabens in cosmetics and cancer
7. Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance)
-The term "fragrance" or "parfum" on a cosmetic ingredients list usually represents a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals
-3,000 chemicals are used as fragrances
-used in perfumes, colognes, and deodorants, but it's used in nearly every type of personal care product as well as laundry detergents and softeners and cleaning products
-Even products marketed as "fragrance-free" or "unscented" may still contain fragrance
-are irritants and can trigger allergies, migraines, and asthma symptoms
-exposure to perfume can exacerbate asthma, and perhaps even contribute to its development in children
-in laboratory experiments, individual fragrance ingredients have been associated with cancer and neurotoxicity among other adverse health effects
-Synthetic musk’s are persistent in the environment and build up (bioaccumulation) in the fatty tissue of aquatic organisms
8. PEG compounds (polyethylene glycols) and other ethoxylates
-may be contaminated with 1, 4-dioxane-a possible human carcinogen
-Petroleum-based compounds that are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers
-commonly used as cosmetic cream bases
-used in pharmaceuticals as laxatives
-In a study of personal care products marketed as "natural" or "organic" (uncertified), U.S. researchers found 1, 4-dioxane as a contaminant in 46 of 100 products analyzed
-PEG functions as a "penetration enhancer," increasing the permeability of the skin to allow greater absorption of the product — including harmful ingredients
9. Petrolatum Mineral oil and petroleum distillates
-mineral oil jelly (i.e. petroleum jelly) is used as a barrier to lock moisture in the skin in a variety of moisturizers and also in hair care products to make your hair shine
-can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
-exposure to PAHs — including skin contact over extended periods of time is associated with cancer
-can also cause skin irritation and allergies
-can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
-exposure to PAHs — including skin contact over extended periods of time is associated with cancer
-can also cause skin irritation and allergies
10. Siloxanes: cyclotetrasiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane and cyclomethicone
-Look for ingredients ending in "-siloxane" or "-methicone
-Silicone-based compounds used in cosmetics to soften, smooth, and moisten
-used in moisturizers and facial treatments
-cyclotetrasiloxane and cylcopentasiloxane — also known as D4 and D5 — are toxic, persistent, and have the potential to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms
-is an endocrine disruptor, based on evidence that it interferes with human hormone function
-In laboratory experiments, exposure to high doses of D5 has been shown to cause uterine tumours and harm to the reproductive and immune systems
-D5 can also influence neurotransmitters in the nervous system
-Structurally similar to D4 and D5, cyclohexasiloxane (or D6) is also persistent and has the potential to bioaccumulate
-Cyclomethicone is a mixture of D4, D5, and D6 siloxanes.
11. Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) or Sodium lauryl sulfate
-used in cosmetics as a detergent and also to make products bubble and foam
-used in shampoos, shower gels and facial cleansers and cleaning products like dish soap
-may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
12. Triclosan
-used mainly in antiperspirants/deodorants, cleansers, and hand sanitizers as a preservative and an anti-bacterial agent
-also used as an antibacterial agent in laundry detergent, facial tissues, and antiseptics for wounds, as well as a preservative to resist bacteria, fungus, mildew and odors in other household products
-can pass through skin and is suspected of interfering with hormone function (endocrine disruption)
-irritating to the skin and eyes
-very toxic to aquatic organisms, noting that it may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
-extensive use of triclosan in consumer products may contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Dirty Dozen chemicals adapted from http://www.davidsuzuki.org/
NOTE:
Phenoxyethanol is listed on skin deep as a fragrance chemical, however I could not find it anywhere on David Suzuki’s list. I have written a letter to the organization and will hear back within a week or two.
Tocopheryl Acetate is listed on skin deep as being possibly contaminated with a fragrance ingredient and given a rating of 4. However, in my research I found that this is rarely the case and the benefits outweigh the negatives as it is a powerful antioxidant that combats free radical damage to your skin.
Potassium Sorbate is listed on skin deep as a fragrance Ingredient and preservative. It has a rating of 3. Again waiting to hear back and will let you
know.
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