Unfortunately, many of the ingredients in the personal care items we use daily could actually be damaging our health and the environment. From face washes to sunscreens, here's a list of the top 10 toxic ingredients to look out for when shopping for your skincare and self-care needs.

What Skincare Ingredients Are Toxic?

1. Parabens

We've all most likely heard of these toxic ingredients by now, and for good reason. Parabens are preservatives used in the majority of personal care products such as face washes, creams, masks, body washes and lotions, shampoo, make-up; the list could go on. 

Once absorbed by the body, parabens mimic estrogen, which can disrupt hormone balance. Because of this hormone disruption, they increase the risk of unhealthy cell development and fertility issues in both men & women. While health associations have deemed small amounts as being safe for consumption, if every product used contains the approved amount of parabens, they can build up, leading to unhealthy levels. 

When shopping for personal care items, avoid ingredients that end with -paraben and look for safer alternatives like vitamin E, tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract and sodium chloride. These ingredients will keep the product shelf-stable without risking your health.

2. Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde Releasing Agents

Thankfully, most manufacturers no longer use formaldehyde. However, companies still frequently add formaldehyde-releasing ingredients, which consumers often overlook. You should know that labels might list these ingredients as:

  • Methylene glycol
  • Bronopol
  • DMDM hydantoin
  • Diazolidinyl urea
  • Imidazolidinyl urea
  • Quaternium-15

These ingredients act as hardeners in nail or eyelash glue and as preservatives in cosmetics and hair products. Formaldehyde-releasing agents are linked to causing unhealthy cell formation and increasing skin sensitivity. 

Alternative preservatives that are a healthier option include: vitamin e, grapefruit seed extract, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, sodium lactate, honey and sodium chloride. As you can see, the easier an ingredient is to pronounce, the better it may be for our health. While these alternatives won't preserve products for as long as harsher chemicals, they will preserve them for a reasonable amount of time and are kinder to our bodies and the environment. 

3. Oxybenzone

We use sunscreens thinking we are taking care of our skin and health, but did you know that chemical sunscreens, while they block UV rays, are chock-full of chemicals that can have harmful effects on your health and the health of the planet? 

Oxybenzone is a chemical used to block UV light and are linked to hormone disruption and cause damaging effects to our ecosystem, harming coral reefs, fish, dolphins and other marine life. If that's not enough, other ingredients to be aware of when it comes to shopping for sunscreen include: octinoxate (octin-ox-ate), 3-Benzylidene (ben-zyl-idene) camphor, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, Octocrylene, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, nano-Titanium dioxide and nano-Zinc oxide. 

To avoid these chemicals and harsh side effects, it's recommended to use a mineral sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These non-nano forms provide better UV protection without the surprise adverse health effects, and they've come a long way from the days of leaving a white film on your skin.

4. Phthalates

It's substances like phthalates (pronounced falates) that make the term "fragrance" on labelling ingredients harmful. There are many chemicals that hide under this term, phthalates being one of them. 

Phthalates are stabilizers used in products that need to adhere to the skin for long periods of time. These products can include: perfumes, deodorants, nail polish and nail and eyelash glue. Phthalates are hormone disruptors which can impair cognitive development, are toxic for reproduction and growing fetuses, increase the likelihood of onset of puberty and decrease adult male fertility, as well as damage the environment. These are serious side effects that everyone, especially pregnant women or growing teenagers, shouldn't be exposed to. 

Since these toxic ingredients are in products we use daily, look for personal care products that are scent-free or scented using natural fragrances like essential oils or antioxidants.

5. Toulene 

Europe and Southeast Asia ban this harmful ingredient due to its toxic effects. Beauty and cleaning brands use toluene (also called Butylated Hydroxytoluene/BHT, Benzene, Methylbenzene, Phenyl Methane, or Toluol) as a solvent to prevent colour separation. It's found in products such as:

  • Nail polish
  • Nail polish remover
  • Hair dye

Toulene can cause brain toxicity; because of this, pregnant women should ensure it's not in the personal care products they use on themselves or babies. To avoid these side effects and chemicals, look for products that use safer solvent alternatives like Polychem 36, which is nontoxic and biodegradable; purchase toluene-free products that have to be shaken for colour to mix; or purchase products that use natural ingredients to provide colouring such as henna or fruit.

6. Triclosan

Triclosan is an antimicrobial ingredient that can also be listed as Triclocarban. It's mainly used in pesticides; however, even though it has no business being there, it's also used in personal care items.

Triclosan can be found in antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizers, toothpastes, mouthwashes, sunscreen, lip balms and deodorants. This toxic ingredient disrupts thyroid health and reproductive hormones. Triclosan can also break down into another chemical, dioxin, which is also toxic and disturbs the endocrine system. 

When shopping for personal care items, check the ingredients list to avoid harsh chemicals. Instead, choose products formulated with healthy alternatives like honey, shea butter, cocoa butter, or baking soda, and switch to natural deodorants and toothpaste. These changes will support the health of yourself, family and planet.

7. Per-and Poly Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFA's)

PFAs can be found on labels with the word fluoro in the ingredient name, so watch out for both ingredients. These are chemicals that don't break down easily and not only cause damaging health effects, but negatively impact the environment and surface waters too. 

These chemicals are used in moisturizers, dental floss, concealers, sunscreen and waterproof products since they act as a water repellant. 

PFA's accumulate in the body, causing thyroid disease, disrupt DNA and cell formation and reduce vaccine effectiveness. Since we use these products daily to care for ourselves, natural, organic personal care products are the better alternative.

8. Lead

Manufacturers knowingly put this toxic heavy metal in lipsticks, balms, and petrolatum-based products like Vaseline. Lead causes serious behavioral and learning issues, lowers IQ, and triggers other severe cognitive problems. Everyone, especially pregnant women, should ensure their products are lead-free. 

Look for products that contain natural ingredients such as henna or fruit to add colour and occlusives that are naturally derived, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil and olive or rose hip oils. By using products with these alternatives, you won't have to worry about lead or traces of heavy metals in your products. 

9. Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

BHT, also seen on labels as Dibutylhydroxytoluene (say that 5 times fast), mimics antioxidant properties and prolongs the shelf life of products. 

These chemicals have a carcinogenic effect, disrupt hormone balance and production and cause liver damage. This is dangerous because the liver plays a large role in detoxification; therefore, it's important that they are in optimal health. 

BHT's are a stabilizer, so they're found in many products from cosmetics, facial cleansers and creams to body washes and personal hygiene products. Vitamin E and rosemary are healthier alternative ingredients which act as a natural stabilizer and don't have nasty side effects.

10. Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Manufacturers have used SLS since the 1930s as an inexpensive, synthetic foaming agent derived from petroleum or palm oil. SLES, a milder derivative of SLS, undergoes a processing stage called ethoxylation. During this stage, manufacturers accidentally contaminate SLES with the chemical 1,4-dioxane. Consumers only absorb these synthetic chemicals in small doses; however, the ingredients slowly build up in the body over time, causing clogged pores and skin and eye irritation.

Everyday foaming products including toothpastes, shampoos, shaving creams, soaps, face washes, sanitizers, and mouthwashes contain SLS, so you can see how they rapidly build up in your body and cause serious health risks.

These ingredients strip away moisture, oils and proteins in the hair, which causes irritation and inflames the skin, which can lead to dermatitis like eczema and psoriasis. To avoid irritation, try alternative foaming agents like Yucca, which uses natural saponins to create foam, or coconut, which is completely non-irritating. You can also use specific pump lids on your packaging to mechanically boost the foaming effect.

What Are Good Natural Body Care Items?

While there are many toxic ingredients in our products, we have healthier, more natural alternatives to choose from. Since these chemicals are used in products we trust to take care of us, it's important to be informed and educated so you know what ingredients to watch out for. Purchasing fully naturally-derived products that don't use these nasty ingredients is the easiest way to get peace of mind for yours and your family's personal care needs. 

Natural Body Care Alternatives:

Skincare & Makeup Options:

Natural Oral Care Alternatives:

Natural Hair Care Alternatives: