Because I Believe That Knowledge Is Power and The More You Know The Better, I Created This Extensive List of Toxic Ingredients Below.

 1,4-dioxane

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A carcinogenic contaminant of cosmetic products. Almost 50% of cosmetics containing ethoxylated surfactants were found to contain dioxane. See Ethoxylated surfactants 

From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): 

1,4-DIOXANE MAY EXERT ITS EFFECTS THROUGH INHALATION, SKIN ABSORPTION, AND INGESTION.
1,4-DIOXANE IS LISTED AS A CARCINOGEN.

EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: 1,4-DIOXANE IS AN EYE AND MUCOUS MEMBRANE IRRITANT, PRIMARY SKIN IRRITANT, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANT, NEPHROTOXIN, AND HEPATOTOXIN. 

ACUTE EXPOSURE CAUSES IRRITATION, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, AND NARCOSIS. CHRONIC INHALATION EXPOSURE CAN PRODUCE DAMAGE TO THE LIVER AND KIDNEYS, AND BLOOD DISORDERS.

MEDICAL CONDITION AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE PRECLUDE FROM EXPOSURE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISEASE OF THE BLOOD, LIVER KIDNEYS, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, AND THOSE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DERMATITIS.

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2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol)

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Toxic, causes allergic contact dermatitis.

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Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40)  Back to Top

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A very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your skin's natural acid mantle, making us more vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin.

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Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)

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Can cause irritations to people with sensitive skin.

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Anionic Surfactants

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Anionic refers to the negative charge these surfactants have. They may be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Surfactants can pose serious health threats. They are used in car washes, as garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers - and in 90% of personal-care products that foam.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) 

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) 

• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) 

• Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES) 

• Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate 

• Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate 

• Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate 

• Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen 

• TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate 

• TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate 

• Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine 

• Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate 

• Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate 

• Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate etc

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Benzalkonium Chloride

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Highly toxic, primary skin irritant. 
See Cationic surfactants

From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
MATERIAL IS HIGHLY TOXIC VIA ORAL ROUTE.

EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: MISTS CAN CAUSE IRRITATION TO THE SKIN, EYES, NOSE, THROAT AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES. AVOID DIRECT CONTACT. SYMPTOMS: MUSCULAR PARALYSIS, LOW BLOOD PRESSURE, CNS DEPRESSION AND WEAKNESS.

EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES

EYES: CORROSIVE! IMMEDIATELY WASH EYES WITH PLENTY OF WATER.

INHALATION: REMOVE PERSON TO FRESH AIR. GIVE OXYGEN (IF BREATHING IS DIFFICULT). CALL PHYSICIAN.

INGESTION: IF CONSCIOUS, IMMEDIATELY DRINK LARGE QUANTITIES OF FLUID TO DILUTE AND INDUCE VOMITING. CALL PHYSICIAN.

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Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)

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Dr Epstein reports in his book Unreasonable Risk this chemical is carcinogenic! Also known to cause allergic contact dermatitis.

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Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

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Causes allergic contact dermatitis.

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Cationic surfactants

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These chemicals have a positive electrical charge. They contain a quaternary ammonium group and are often called "quats". These are used in hair conditioners, but originated from the paper and fabric industries as softeners and anti-static agents. In the long run they cause the hair to become dry and brittle. They are synthetic, irritating, allergenic and toxic, and oral intake of them can be lethal.

• Stearalkonium chloride 

• Benzalkonium chloride 

• Cetrimonium chloride 

• Cetalkonium chloride 

• Lauryl dimonium hydrolysed collagen

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Causes contact dermatitis

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Isothiazolinone

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From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): 

EYE CONTACT: CORROSIVE TO THE EYES WITH POSSIBLE PERMANENT DAMAGE.

SKIN CONTACT: CORROSIVE TO THE SKIN, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN THIRD DEGREE BURNS. CAN BE HARMFUL IF ABSORBED. CAN CAUSE ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS IN SUSCEPTIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

INGESTION: CAN BE FATAL. 

INHALATION: CAN BE CORROSIVE TO THE MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND THE LUNGS. CAN CAUSE AN ALLERGIC REACTION IN SUSCEPTIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

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Cocoamidopropyl Betaine

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From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
CAN CAUSE EYE AND SKIN IRRITATION.

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DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine)

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Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. Dr. Samuel Epstein (Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois) says that repeated skin applications . . . of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer.

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From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
Health Hazard Acute And Chronic: Product is severely irritating to body tissues and possibly corrosive to the eyes.

Explanation Carcinogenicity: Amines react with nitrosating agents to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.

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Diazolidinyl urea

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Established as a primary cause of contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology). Contains formaldehyde, a carcinogenic chemical, is toxic by inhalation, a strong irritant, and causes contact dermatitis.

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From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
CAUSES SEVERE EYE IRRITATION. MAY CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE 

SYMPTOMS OF INHALATION: IF MISTED, WILL CAUSE IRRITATION OF MUCOUS MEMBRANES, NOSE, EYES AND THROAT. COUGHING, DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING.

SYMPTOMS OF SKIN CONTACT: CONTACT CAUSES SMARTING AND BURNING SENSATIONS, INFLAMMATION, BURNS, PAINFUL BLISTERS. PROFOUND DAMAGE TO TISSUE.

SYMPTOMS OF EYE CONTACT: WILL CAUSE PAINFUL BURNING OR STINGING OF EYES AND LIDS, WATERING OF EYES, AND INFLAMMATION OF CONJUNCTIVA.

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Ethoxylated surfactants

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Ethoxylated surfactants are widely used in cosmetics as foaming agents, emulsifiers and humectants. As part of the manufacturing process the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane, a potent carcinogen, is generated.

On the label, they are identified by the prefix "PEG", "polyethylene", "polyethylene glycol", "polyoxyethylene", "-eth-", or "-oxynol-". 

See 1,4-Dioxane

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FD&C Colour Pigments

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Synthetic colours made from coal tar. Contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.

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Formaldehyde

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Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (causes cancer). Causes allergic, irritant and contact dermatitis, headaches and chronic fatigue. The vapour is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat (mucous membranes).

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Health Effects of Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde, a colourless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations of formaldehyde may trigger asthma attacks in susceptible people. There is evidence that some people can develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and is a known carcinogen (may cause cancer in humans). Health effects from exposure to formaldehyde include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. May also cause other effects listed under "organic gases." EPA's Integrated Risk Information System profile - http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0419.htm

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How Formaldehyde Affects Your Body:

Formaldehyde can affect you when you breathe its vapours and/or touch the liquid. Because formaldehyde reacts quickly with body tissues, it mainly affects sites of direct contact, such as the lungs and eyes and skin. The most common effect of mild overexposure is irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, as described below.

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Eyes, Nose, and Throat:

The eyes, nose, and throat are irritated by formaldehydevapours at levels as low as 1 part formaldehyde per million parts of air (1 part per million, or 1 "ppm" - see "Legal Exposure Limits"). Low-level exposure can cause teariness, redness, and burning of the eyes, sneezing and coughing, and sore throat. Liquid formaldehyde solutions contacting the eyes can damage the cornea, possibly causing blindness. 

Exposure to formaldehyde vapours produces varied effects; some people have irritant symptoms at very low levels, while others can tolerate higher levels with little or no reaction. Some common effects of formaldehyde vapours on the eyes, nose, and throat are described below: 

Lungs:

High levels (5-30 ppm and higher) can severely irritate the lungs, causing chest pain and shortness of breath. 

Repeated exposure to formaldehyde can cause asthma. Symptoms of asthma include chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Repeated exposure to formaldehyde and/or other respiratory irritants may also increase your chances of contracting pneumonia or bronchitis. Formaldehyde's long-term effects on the lungs are not fully understood but may cause permanent damage.

Skin:

Formaldehyde solutions can destroy your skin's natural protective oils. Frequent or prolonged skin contact with formaldehyde solutions can cause dryness, flaking, cracking, and dermatitis (skin rash). Skin contact can also cause an allergic reaction (redness, itching, hives, and blisters). Studies show that as many as one in twenty workers who are regularly exposed to formaldehyde develop an allergic skin reaction. 

Cancer

Formaldehyde causes cancer in test animals. Some studies have suggested that formaldehyde exposure can cause cancer of the lungs and respiratory tract in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer considers formaldehyde a probable human carcinogen. Formaldehyde is classed as a carcinogen under California's Prop 65. 

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Reproductive System:

The effects of formaldehyde on the reproductive system have not been well studied. In limited studies, formaldehyde did not harm pregnancy in female animals or affect the reproductive function of male animals. We do not know whether formaldehyde can affect pregnancy or reproductive function in humans; however, exposures that do not cause other symptoms probably will not affect pregnancy or reproductive function.

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Fragrance

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​Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the USA FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observation proves fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, and irritability.

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Imidazolidinyl urea

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The trade name for this chemical is Germall 115. Releases formaldehyde, a carcinogenic chemical, into cosmetics at over 10°C. Toxic. See Formaldehyde.

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Isopropyl Palmitate

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A fatty acid from palm oil combined with synthetic alcohol. Industry tests on rabbits indicate the chemical can cause skin irritation and dermatitis. Also shown to be comedogenic (acne promoting)

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Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone

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Both cause cosmetic allergies and potential dangerous neuro-toxic effects.

"While more research is needed to determine what effect MIT would have in rodent models, both at the cellular level and to a developing nervous system, our results thus far suggest there is potential that everyday exposure to the chemical could also be harmful to humans. I would be particularly concerned about occupational exposure in pregnant women and the possibility of risk to the fetus," senior author Elias Aizenman,professor of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said.

"As an antimicrobial agent, or biocide, MIT and related compounds kill harmful bacteria that like to grow near moisture or water and hence, often are found in personal care products, as well as in water-cooling systems, however, the research has now revealed that even a 10-minute exposure at a high concentration was lethal to the nerve cells."