Ingredients to avoid; based off of the Dirty Dozen list by the David Suzuki Foundation, with modifications to include ingredients that are banned in Canada or the EU, but still allowed in US cosmetics and personal care products. 

1. BHA & BHT

Look for: 

• butylated hydroxyanisole 
• butylated hydroxytoluene

A common preservative found in food products, cosmetics, packaging, and plastics. Both stabilize fats, and prevent them from going rancid. BHA is considered reasonably likely to be a human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program (U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services) and The International Agency for Research on Cancer. The EU classifies BHA as an endocrine disruptor. Both can induce allergic reactions in skin. BHT has potential to bioaccumulate, is toxic to aquatic organisms. 

2. Coal Tar Dyes

Look for: 

• p-phenylenediamine 
• “FD&C” or “D&C” followed by a color name and number

Used commonly in cosmetics, Coal tar, a byproduct of coal production, is combined with a plethora of other chemicals (like tuluene, xylene, and benzene) to create artificial colours and dyes used in both cosmetics and hair dyes. Coal Tar Dyes may be contaminated with heavy metals. The EU considers p-phenylenediamine toxic when put on skin, inhaled or swallowed. It is also extremely toxic to aquatic organisms and. Warnings often include to keep hair dye products containing p-phenylenediamine away from eyes, as it “may cause blindness.” 

3. DEA-related compounds

Look for: 

• diethanolamine
• cocamide DEA
• lauramide DEA
• monoethanolamide
• triethanolamine

Used primarily in personal care products to make them creamy or sudsy. Found mostly in lotions, moisturizers, shampoos, soaps and other cleansers. The EU classifies DEA compounds as harmful, especially the potential serious damage that can be caused from prolonged exposure. These chemicals can react with nitrates to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.  

4. Phthalates

Look for: 

• diethyl phthalate (DEP)
• dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
• Other ingredients ending in ~phthalate

Often used as a plasticizer in a wide variety of personal care products including: nail polish, hair sprays, lotions, soaps, shampoos and fragrances. Phthalates have been linked to everything from asthma to neurodevelopmental issues and cancers. Exposure to phthalates in the US is omnipresent; nearly everyone tested for phthalate exposure had it present in their urine. Phthalates is a huge classification of chemicals, with some being ‘worse’ than others, but avoiding all phthalates is a good idea since many chemicals in the classification have yet to be studied. They are often not listed as an ingredient in many consumer products, but required to be listed in cosmetics and personal care products. Phthalates are common in plastics used in food packaging, and have been found in dairy products due to being extremely fat-soluble.  

5. Formaldehyde & formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

Look for: 

• DMDM hydantoin
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Quaternium-15
• Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol )
• 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
• Hydroxymethylglycinate

Mostly used as preservatives, these ingredients release a slow, small, and continuous stream of formaldehyde gas, and research suggests that formaldehyde can be absorbed through the skin. Formaldehyde use in cosmetics is not restricted by the FDA. While small amounts of formaldehyde are not considered extremely dangerous, consistent exposure, and especially inhalation, can be dangerous over time; formaldehyde is considered a known human carcinogen. Most commonly found in nail polish, nail polish remover, hair products, fragrances and some baby care products, along with baby wipes. 

6. Parabens

Look for: 

• methylparaben
• ethylparaben
• propylparaben
• butylparaben
• isobutylpraben

One of the most commonly used preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products, parabens are used most commonly to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds. Parabens are most common in makeup, moisturizers, hair products, shaving products and others. Parabens very easily penetrate human skin, and there is evidence that they interfere with hormone function, mimicking estrogen. When applied to the skin, parabens bypass the metabolic process and enter the blood stream and organs directly, and intact. Parabens have also been detected in breast cancer tissue. 

7. Sulfates 

Look for: 

• sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
• sodium lauryl sulfate

A very common ingredient in cosmetics, and personal care products like shampoos, shower gels, facial cleansers, and household products like dish soap. Sulfates are used to create suds, making a product foamy/bubbly. Sulfates are frequently contaminated with other human carcinogens like ethylene oxide. Sulfates can irritate the skin and eyes, and is toxic to aquatic organisms. 

8. Fragrance

Look for: 

• natural fragrance
• fragrance
• parfum

Fragrance is listed as a single ingredient despite being made up of a mixture of dozens of chemicals. There are around 3,000 chemicals used to create fragrances, and even ‘unscented’ or ‘fragrance-free’ products can contain may contain them, often along with a masking agent that prevents the brain from perceiving odor. Many of the unlisted chemicals in fragrances cause allergic reactions, and are not tested for their toxicity. Fragrance ingredients will often be used as a hidden preservative. 

9. Triclosan 

Most common in cosmetics, toothpaste, shaving cream, deodorant, cleansers, hand sanitizer, detergents and products advertised as “anti-bacterial.” Triclosan can pass through the skin, and may interfere with hormone function. The CDC detected triclosan in the urine of 75% of those tested, and studies have shown that it interferes with mitochondria (a cellular component) function. Triclosan is banned in the EU. 

10. Siloxanes (aka silicones)

Look for: 

• silicon-based compounds
• cyclotetrasiloxane (D4)
• cylcopentasiloxane (D5)
• dimethyl siloxanes and silicones
• dimethicones 

Silicone-based compounds are used in moisturizers and facial treatments, along with hair products and deodorant creams to soften, smooth and moisten. Classified by the EU as endocrine disruptors, they may impair fertility and have caused uterine tumors in lab experiments. Silicones are toxic, persistent and have the potential to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.