Used as a foaming and cleansing agent or as an antimicrobial preservative. It is a well-recognized irritant, and there is evidence that it may cause a contact allergy at concentrations as low as 0.1%. Studies have shown that it decreased fertility in both sexes of mice when benzalkonium chloride was used to clean their cages.

Sources: 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890623814001920

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18503686

https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/pr142.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/term=Benzalkonium+Chloride%3A+A+Known+Irritant+
and+Novel+Allergen+%3A+Dermatitis

Used as photostabilizers in cosmetics - photostabilizers have a photoprotective effect on the skin. Added as a carcinogen to the California EPA’s proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity in 2012. However, different benzophenones may have different hormone-disrupting effects. They were declared the contact allergen of the year for 2014 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS).

Source:

https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/proposition-65/p65122917_0.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997468/

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/benzophenone/

https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/allergy-to-benzophenone/

https://www.contactderm.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3467

BHA is used as an antioxidant in cosmetic products, especially lipstick & eyeshadow. The US National Toxicology Program has classified BHA as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen", & it has been added as a carcinogen to the California EPA’s proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. BHA also exhibits some endocrine-disrupting effects, & the European Union has listed it as an endocrine disruptor. BHT is a toluene-based ingredient used as a preservative. BHT is suspected to be potentially endocrine-disrupting & have carcinogenic effects. ​

Sources:

https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/butylatedhydroxyanisole.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462476/

https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/proposition-65/p65122917_0.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/endocrine/strategy/substances_en.htm

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3203/50af38be626d835d9572788fbc2dcb646e63.pdf

https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/lt_rpts/tr150.pdf

Synthetically manufactured from bismuth, oxygen, & chlorine. It causes many people to break out or itch. This mineral is used as a makeup colorant that provides a shiny effect.

Sources:

https://www.livestrong.com/article/248442-makeup-for-sensitive-acne-prone-skin/

https://rosacea-support.org/community/viewtopic.php?t=127

http://greenbeautyteam.com/answers-advice/makeup/ingredients-mineral-makeup-terrible-arent

Used as a solvent in hair dyes, nail polishes, lacquers, vanishes, & inks. In one study, people exposed to high levels of butoxyethanol for several hours reported irritation of the nose & eyes, headache, a metallic taste in their mouths, & vomiting. Animal studies show destruction of red blood cells & damage to organs from exposure to butoxyethanol.

Sources:

https://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_095.pdf

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=346&tid=61

Used as a pigment in cosmetics - it is manufactured by the combustion of aromatic petroleum oil feedstock & consists essentially of pure carbon. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as possibly carcinogenic to humans. It may contain carcinogenic PAHS (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) as a contaminant.

Other names: CI 77266, Black 2, D&C Black No. 2, acetylene black, channel black furnace black, lamp black, thermal black

Sources:

https://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol93/mono93.pdf

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/carbon-black/

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=74.2052

https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_144.pdf

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=13&po=11

Known to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans. A thick liquid obtained as a by-product in the destructive distillation of bituminous coal at very high temperatures. It is believed that over 10,000 different compounds make up coal tar, but only 400 have been identified. It is used as a biocide to treat various skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff. Coal tar has been found to be comedogenic and a contact allergen.

Sources:

https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/coaltars.pdf

https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/coal-tar/

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/coal-tar

https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/pr281.pdf

Cyclic siloxanes, also known as D4 (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane), D5 (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane), and D6 (dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane), are a group of synthetic chemicals primarily used in cosmetics, personal care products, and industrial applications. D4, in particular, has been linked to reproductive toxicity in animal studies, while D5 and D6 are considered potential environmental pollutants.

An antimicrobial preservative that slowly releases carcinogenic formaldehyde into a product over time (see Formaldehyde). People may develop a contact allergy to formaldehyde or to the ingredient itself. The American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists diazolidinyl urea and formaldehyde as contact allergens, even in concentrations as low as 1%. Longer storage time and higher temperatures increase the amount of formaldehyde released from diazolidinyl urea, which can lead to higher risks of health problems.

Sources:

https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/pr137.pdf

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/formaldehyde/

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/formaldehyde.html

https://www.contactderm.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3563

One of the phthalates, commonly used as a fixative in synthetic fragrances to make fragrances last longer. We do not use any synthetic fragrance in our products. The research on DEP is less conclusive than on other phthalates, but there is some evidence that it may interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system and cause birth defects in animals.

Sources:

https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Ingredients/ucm128250.htm

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/phthalates/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241863/pdf/ehp0112-000331.pdf

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=112

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=601&tid=112

An antimicrobial preservative that slowly releases carcinogenic formaldehyde into a product over time (see Formaldehyde). People may develop a contact allergy to formaldehyde or to the ingredient itself. The American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists DMDM hydantoin and formaldehyde as allergens, even in concentrations as low as 1%. Longer storage time and higher temperatures increase the amount of formaldehyde released from DMDM hydantoin, which can lead to higher risks of health problems.

Sources:

https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/pr154.pdf

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/formaldehyde/

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/formaldehyde.html

https://www.contactderm.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3563

Clear, colorless, thick liquids with ammonia-like odors. At higher concentrations, ethanolamines may increase the risk of asthma & skin irritation. They may break down in the product & form nitrosamines that are linked to cancer.

Sources:

https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/pr594.pdf

https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/PR575.pdf

https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/PR604.pdf

https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/nitrosamines.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7709998

Ethoxylated Ingredients are a group of ingredients made by the process of ethoxylation in which carcinogenic ethylene oxide is reacted with other ingredients to make them less harsh on the skin. As a result of the ethoxylation process, 1,4-dioxane is created and can be left behind in the product. 1,4-dioxane can be reduced or removed from a product through the vacuum-stripping process. But independent tests show that many manufacturers fail to do so. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has classified 1,4-dioxane as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans.” United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) studies showed that 1,4-dioxane can penetrate human skin.

Sources:

https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/PotentialContaminants/ucm101566.htm

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/14-dioxane/

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=953&tid=199

https://www.organicconsumers.org/press/ocas-new-study-finds-greatly-reduced-carcinogens-personal-care-products

EDTA is not harmful in itself, but it enhance the dermal penetration of other ingredients contained in a product, so it can be very harmful when paired with toxic ingredients.​

Source:

https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/pr285.pdf

The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens (“IARC”) has classified formaldehyde as 'carcinogenic to humans.' The American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists it as one of the core allergens, even in concentrations as low as 1%. Longer storage times and higher temperatures increase the amount of formaldehyde released from the formaldehyde-releasers. These cosmetic preservatives, such as diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, and sodium hydroxylmethylglycinate over time leach formalidehyde into the products over time.

Source:

https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/pr209.pdf

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/formaldehyde.html

https://www.contactderm.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3563

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/formaldehyde/

There are over 3,000 ingredients that can make up the term "fragrance", many of them toxic (endocrine disrupters and worse).

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3858659/

https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_073.pdf

An antimicrobial preservative used in cosmetic products. Numerous tests by independent researchers have shown that its antimicrobial properties are due to synthetic preservatives contained in it, not the extract itself. The synthetic preservatives found in GSE include benzalkonium chloride, triclosan, or methylparaben.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10399191

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16719494

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16159196

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11453769

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18344660

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17867553

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