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Fragrance / Parfum

parfum · fragrance

A catch-all term hiding hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Commonly triggers allergies, hormone disruption, and skin sensitization.

• Endocrine disruption via undisclosed phthalates
• Skin and respiratory sensitization

Parabens

CAS 99-76-3 · methylparaben · propylparaben

Synthetic preservatives that mimic estrogen and have been detected in breast tissue. Widely used but increasingly replaced by brands.

• Estrogen mimicry linked to breast cancer risk [inference]
• Detected in breast tumor tissue (Darbre et al. 2004)

Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)

CAS 131-57-7 · benzophenone-3 · bp-3

Chemical UV filter that penetrates the skin and bloodstream. Studies link it to hormone disruption and coral reef damage.

• Detected in blood, urine, and breast milk (FDA 2019)
• Endocrine disruption in animal studies

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

CAS 151-21-3 · sls · sodium lauryl sulfate

A strong detergent surfactant that strips the skin barrier and may irritate sensitive skin. Common in foaming products.

• Disrupts skin barrier — increases transepidermal water loss
• Oral irritation and canker sore association

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

sles · sodium laureth sulfate

Milder than SLS but can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (a probable carcinogen) during manufacturing.

• 1,4-dioxane contamination — probable carcinogen (EPA Group B2)
• Skin irritation at high concentrations

Retinol (Vitamin A)

CAS 68-26-8 · retinol · retinyl palmitate

Gold-standard anti-aging ingredient backed by decades of research. Highly effective for cell turnover and collagen production — always use with SPF.

• Increases UV sensitivity — sunscreen required
• Contraindicated during pregnancy

Hyaluronic Acid

CAS 9004-61-9 · hyaluronic acid · sodium hyaluronate

Naturally occurring humectant that holds up to 1,000× its weight in water. Gentle and effective for all skin types including sensitive.

Titanium Dioxide

CAS 13463-67-7 · titanium dioxide · ci 77891

Mineral UV filter that sits on top of skin without penetration. Reef-safe and non-hormonal — a safe alternative to chemical sunscreens in topical use.

• Nanoparticle form under review for inhalation risk in spray/powder formulations
• EU banned as food additive (E171) in 2022 due to genotoxicity concerns

Zinc Oxide

CAS 1314-13-2 · zinc oxide · zno

Broad-spectrum mineral SPF that sits on top of skin. Reef-safe, non-irritating, non-hormonal, and FDA-recognized as GRASE.

• May leave a white cast on deeper skin tones
• Nanoparticle form under ongoing study — standard non-nano forms preferred

Phenoxyethanol

phenoxyethanol · ethylene glycol monophenyl ether

Common paraben alternative used as a preservative. Generally safer than parabens at regulated concentrations, but caution is warranted for infants.

• CNS depression at high doses in animal studies
• Skin sensitization in some individuals

Phthalates

dbp · dehp

Plasticizing chemicals used to carry fragrance and improve flexibility. Strong hormone disruptors linked to reproductive and developmental harm.

• Reproductive toxicity — anti-androgenic in male fetuses
• Detected in cord blood and breast milk (CDC biomonitoring)

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

CAS 98-92-0 · niacinamide · nicotinamide

Highly versatile water-soluble vitamin that brightens skin, reduces pore appearance, controls sebum, and reinforces the skin barrier. Well-tolerated by all skin types.

• High concentrations (>5%) may cause temporary flushing in some individuals

Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

dmdm hydantoin · quaternium-15

A class of preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde — a known human carcinogen (IARC Group 1) — into cosmetic formulas.

• Formaldehyde is IARC Group 1 carcinogen
• Skin sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis

Triclosan

triclosan · 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol

Synthetic antibacterial banned by the FDA from consumer soaps in 2017. Still permitted in some products. Linked to antibiotic resistance and hormone disruption.

• FDA banned from OTC antibacterial soap (2017)
• Endocrine disruption — thyroid hormone interference

Toluene

toluene · methylbenzene

Petroleum-derived solvent used in nail products. A neurotoxin and reproductive hazard — inhaling vapors during application is a significant concern.

• Neurotoxic — CNS effects at high inhalation exposure
• Reproductive and developmental toxicity

Lead / Lead Acetate

lead acetate · lead

Heavy metal used historically as a hair darkening agent. The FDA banned lead acetate in hair dyes in 2018 due to neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity.

• Neurotoxin — no safe level of lead exposure (CDC)
• FDA banned in hair coloring products (2018)

Coal Tar Dyes

fd&c red 4 · fd&c yellow 5

Synthetic dyes derived from coal tar. Several are restricted or banned in the EU and Canada. Associated with carcinogenicity and skin sensitization.

• Several IARC-classified carcinogens within this group
• Skin sensitization and allergic reactions

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

butylated hydroxyanisole · bha

Synthetic antioxidant/preservative used in cosmetics and food. Classified as a possible human carcinogen and suspected hormone disruptor.

• IARC Group 2B possible carcinogen
• Endocrine disruption — interferes with thyroid and estrogen [inference]

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

butylated hydroxytoluene · bht

Synthetic antioxidant used to extend shelf life in cosmetics and food. Linked to hormone disruption and potential carcinogenicity.

• Possible endocrine disruptor — estrogenic activity in animal studies
• Liver enzyme induction at high doses

DEA / TEA (Diethanolamine / Triethanolamine)

diethanolamine · dea

Foam-boosting amines that can react with nitrites in formulas to form nitrosamines — probable carcinogens. EU restricts use.

• Can form carcinogenic nitrosamines when combined with nitrite contaminants
• EU restricts DEA in cosmetics

PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols)

peg-4 · peg-6

Petroleum-derived compounds used as emulsifiers and humectants. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide — both carcinogenic.

• 1,4-dioxane contamination (probable carcinogen, EPA Group B2)
• Ethylene oxide contamination (IARC Group 1 carcinogen)

Petrolatum / Mineral Oil

petrolatum · petroleum jelly

Petroleum-derived occlusive agents. Safe when highly refined, but poorly refined grades may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogenic.

• EU restricts impure petrolatum — only cosmetic-grade (highly refined) permitted
• Contamination with carcinogenic PAHs in lower grades

Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamate)

octinoxate · octyl methoxycinnamate

Chemical UV-B filter that penetrates the skin and may disrupt thyroid and estrogen pathways. Banned in Hawaii and Palau due to coral reef toxicity.

• Endocrine disruption — estrogenic and thyroid-disrupting activity in animal studies
• Detected in blood, urine, and breast milk (FDA 2019)

Homosalate

homosalate · 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl salicylate

Chemical UV filter that accumulates in the body faster than it is eliminated. The EU has lowered its maximum allowed concentration due to hormonal disruption concerns.

• Endocrine disruption — disrupts estrogen, androgen, and progesterone [inference]
• Bioaccumulation — detected in human blood and breast milk