17 Dangerous Ingredients in COSMETICS: Why You Should Avoid Them

Do you know what’s in your cosmetics? Many beauty products contain harmful chemicals that can damage your health. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most dangerous ingredients in cosmetics. Protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of these toxins by reading on! We’ll also explore the everyday chemical exposure we experience and provide a comprehensive list of toxic ingredients to avoid.

Are you mindful of the ingredients in your skincare products? If not, it’s essential to be aware that many common chemicals found in everyday cosmetics can have detrimental effects on your health.

For instance, parabens and phthalates, commonly used as preservatives and fragrance ingredients, have been linked to hormone disruption and reproductive issues.

Additionally, ingredients such as formaldehyde, a preservative, can irritate the skin and cause cancer with prolonged exposure. These are just a few examples of the many harmful chemicals found in cosmetics.

Educating yourself on these risks and seeking safer alternatives for your health is crucial. Don’t worry; we’ll dive into these dangerous ingredients shortly.

In our everyday lives, we are exposed to a great range of chemicals. Some occur naturally in the environment, but others come from human activities like food and water and various other products we use on a daily basis.

Our skin is the largest surface of our body, interacting with an external environment. It’s not only involuntarily exposure to biotic factors such as bacteria, fungi, molds, and abiotic factors such as air pollution, water pollution, UV rays, etc. But also voluntarily exposed to personal care products such as soap, shampoo, and body wash on a daily basis!!

These products are assumed to enhance our personal hygiene and appearance. They have been reputed to be harmless so that we can use them without worry!

Cosmetics typically comprise various ingredients, including preservatives, emulsifiers, and fragrances. While many of these ingredients can be harmless, some can be harmful to our health.

Even when companies follow regulatory rules, harmful ingredients can still end up in cosmetics. This is because regulatory limits may not reflect the true risks associated with certain ingredients, or companies may use a combination of chemicals that individually fall within limits but may have a cumulative effect or cocktail effect when used together; more on this later.

Additionally, the safety of cosmetic ingredients is largely self-regulated by the industry, so there are few checks and balances in place to ensure that harmful chemicals are not being used. As a result, it’s up to consumers to educate themselves about the ingredients used in their skincare products and to choose safer alternatives.

All ingredients used in cosmetic products must meet specific regulatory requirements; there are limits on how much can be used because some might cause long-term side effects or allergies, while others may only produce an acute reaction such as contact dermatitis ( severe skin irritation ) or severe allergic reaction.

The continuous or long-term exposure of humans to a wide range of personal care products and to various kinds of chemicals from different kinds of sources may cause a “cocktail effect” and also an “additive effect” due to the combined impact of the same ingredient present in many products. 

There is a huge amount of research on how the additive effect of these chemicals affects pregnancy and the early development of the fetus. So these chemicals don’t only affect us, but they negatively impact the healthy development of our children- this is just the tip of the iceberg here!

The presence of substances with known adverse health effects in commonly used personal care and cosmetic products is a significant concern.

Here is a list of some very commonly found potentially harmful items on a general consumer safety level that could potentially trigger allergies for some people who have sensitive skin types or other severe adverse effects, including cancer.

Commonly used for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties in many personal care and cleaning products.

Triclosan is a potent antibacterial agent that has been linked to cancer. Also, it has been shown to hinder the endocrine system, adversely impacting thyroid hormones.

Common products that contain Triclosan include toothpaste, soaps, and deodorants.

The immediate physical reaction to this chemical could look like stinging, burning, hives, etc. – like an allergic reaction!

It’s a preservative widely used in manufacturing soaps and cosmetics. Generally, preservatives are used to reduce the level of contamination in cosmetics and also help to ensure your cosmetics stay good for their shelf-life.

Parabens are notoriously known to disrupt your endocrine system meaning your hormone levels as parabens mimic estrogen activity which could lead to adverse outcomes such as breast cancers or testicular cell transformations.

Propylparaben and Butylparaben have been reported to be causing worse effects. (find a complete list of paraben preservatives commonly used in skincare and are bad for your health here).

Common products that contain parabens include shampoos, lotions, and makeup.

On the product label, look out for any ingredients ending in ´paraben´.

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen often used in cosmetics as a preservative. Formaldehyde-releasing agents, such as quaternium-15 and DMDM hydantoin, are also used as preservatives and can release formaldehyde over time.

Formaldehyde and its releasers are commonly found in hair straightening treatments, nail polish, and other hair and skincare products.

Exposure to higher amounts has been shown to be carcinogenic to humans. (find a list of formaldehyde & formaldehyde releasers here)

MI and MCI are preservatives found in many personal care and cleaning products. They have been linked to skin allergies and may also have neurotoxic effects.

Common products that contain MI and MCI include shampoos, conditioners, and body washes.

Chlorphenesin is a powerful preservative that keeps cosmetics safe for extended periods of time. It is also a muscle relaxant in cosmetics and skin care products. 

This has been shown to adversely affect children and breastfeeding women with respiratory problems and central nervous system issues.

Commonly or must I say abundantly found in plastic products including some food packaging, water bottles, and toiletries. This chemical leak into cosmetic products and leads to endocrine disruption.

This chemical is also found in baby bottles, can food, beverage bottles, water bottles..the list goes on!

It has been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive problems, and other health issues.

They are used in rinse-off products to add lather while washing.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) are irritants that may also be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (potential carcinogen) and ethylene oxide known for its link to cancer in humans.

The SLS is a known aquatic toxicant that affects the environment.

The use of plant-based glucosides is an excellent alternative to SLS and SLES. For example, decyl Glucoside and coco glucoside can be healthier alternatives.

Found in synthetic fragrance oils from perfumes to plastic kid toys, toiletries, vinyl, nail polish, PVC products, and many more.

Studies have shown it disrupts the proper functioning of the male and female reproductive system and promotes tumors and breast cancer growth.(More on fragrance here)

These fragrance chemicals in the soap can cause allergic reactions and other health problems. Synthetic Fragrance Additives are often found in cosmetics and perfumes and are problematic to human health.

This list of synthetic fragrance additives found in soaps isn’t exhaustive; to find the complete list, click here:

• Benzaldehyde
• Benzyl Acetate
• Benzyl Alcohol
• Ethyl Acetate
• Limonene
• Linalool

In 2021, The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) declared Butylphenyl methylpropional, another name 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde, as a prohibited chemical and was not banned in Europe. This is a synthetic fragrance known as lysmeral, lilial, or lily aldehyde, used in various products such as cosmetics, air fresheners, fine fragrances, and cleaning agents. So if you have any product containing this fragrance, please throw it into the dustbin! )

It is a petrochemical, a solvent that can cause liver and kidney damage. It is a neurotoxin that has been linked to developmental problems in children.

Plastic microbeads are tiny particles of plastic used in exfoliating and cleansing products. They harm the environment and can cause skin irritation and other health issues.

Soap-containing microbeads are bad for the environment.

Also known as 1, 2-propanediol is used as a drug solvent, humectant food additive, and moisturizer in medicines, cosmetics, and tobacco products. Propylene glycol (PG) is also used as a carrier in fragrance oils.

The adverse effects of PG can be pretty serious. These include everything from nervous system toxicity to hyperosmolarity and hemolysis (which could cause a blood disorder). In addition, there are risks for heart arrhythmia or lactic acidosis.

In 2021, Titanium dioxide, known as TiO2 and E171, was banned in Europe as a food additive. When ingested, TiO2 nanoparticles have been shown to mutate DNA (DNA damage), leading to skin cancers.

TiO2 in its nanoparticle (nano-TiO2) form is used as a UV filter in sunscreens but is also found in day creams, foundations, and lip balms.

However, The European Union’s Cosmetic Regulation of 2016 has made nano-TiO2 an authorized UV filter, except in sprayable products and powder, which can lead to lung inflammation.

Benzalkonium chloride (BCA) is found in cosmetics as a preservative and in many household disinfectants and cleaning supplies.

Benzalkonium chloride is a sensitizer with a high potential for allergies and immunotoxicity that can be especially harmful to people with asthma or skin conditions such as eczema.

1, 4-Dioxane is not a standalone ingredient on any label. It’s a byproduct (impurity) created when formulation ingredients are mixed together. It has been found in soaps and other products which produce lather. As it’s a byproduct, it’s not required to be labeled on the ingredient list.

Though it can be removed from the products before it’s packed and shelved, it remains in up to 46% of products marketed as personal care on the market.

On July 8, 2021, The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added 1,4-dioxane to a “very high concern” substance list due to its potential risks for human health and the environment (widespread water contamination). Studies have found that it poses serious consequences, including cancer.

For new mothers or women who breastfeed, 1, 4-Dioxane is also known to pass through a mother’s breast milk to their infants.

Due to its antimicrobial preservative properties, it is used as a preservative in cosmetics and form formaldehyde in the product. It could potentially irritate your skin or trigger other allergens for those who are sensitive to it.

Imidazolidinyl urea acts as an antimicrobial preservative and a formaldehyde-releasing agent in the formulation of many cosmetics. This can cause allergies and sensitivity to the skin upon exposure.

Remember, the cosmetics and personal care products we use daily can contain harmful chemicals and toxins that can negatively impact our health.

From Triclosan to BPA, formaldehyde-releasers, and more, it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients listed on labels.

By making more informed decisions about the products we use and opting for safer alternatives, we can take control of our health and well-being, and ensure that we are not unknowingly exposing ourselves to dangerous ingredients.

So, next time you’re browsing the aisles for a new beauty or personal care product, take a closer look at the label and consider what you’re really putting on your skin.

If you want more information on safe and healthy cosmetic ingredients, please let me know in the comments below or contact me directly here. I am always happy to help my readers find the best products for their needs!