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96 TOXIC Ingredients found in Skincare!
- May 16, 2016
- 17 min read
BE AWARE! As a consumer,we all need to be aware of what it is exactly that we are purchasing and spending our hard earned money on.Here is an
A-Z list of 96 Ingredients you don't want in your cosmetics, makeup, skin care, hair care and beauty products.
Don’t keep this list a secret: share it online, print it or photocopy it and give it to your family members and friends - help to spread the knowledge and education on what ingredients everyone should be on the lookout for when buying cosmetic, skin care, hair care, makeup and beauty products. Please minimize your exposure to these chemicals and ideally, eliminate them all together from your beauty routine. They are the worst enemies of your skin, hair, body, well being and health. They are listed alphabetically, most tell you what they can be found in and warn you of what they can cause, so let's get started:
Acrylic Acid – Possible effects: respiratory toxin for humans; causes asthma, severe skin burns, and allergic reaction in the skin or lungs; causes renal and kidney damage in animals; causes blood tumors and skin tumors in animals.
Aluminum (pure aluminum powder) - Possible effects: strong human neurotoxicant; causes irritation of eyes, skin, and lungs; endocrine disruptor; linked to Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer; causes birth disorders in animals.
Aluminium Chloride – Possible effects: nose and lung irritant; causes liver and bladder abnormalities in animals; causes brain disorders in animals; human endocrine disruptor linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease; aluminum compounds are generally neurotoxic to humans.
Aluminium Hydrochloride – Possible effects: endocrine disruptor linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease; aluminum compounds are neurotoxic to humans.
Aluminium Oxide – Possible effects: strong nose and lung irritant; causes skin cancer in animals; endocrine disruptor linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease; aluminum compounds are neurotoxic to humans.
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate – primarily used in cleansing products, including bubble baths, bath soaps and detergents and shampoos. Possible effects: causes skin irritation, water contaminant, may be contaminated with carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane.
Ammonium Persulfate – used in hair bleaches and hair lighteners. Possible effects: strong eye, respiratory system and skin irritant; can trigger asthma; restricted in cosmetics.
Amyl Acetate – used in nail polish and enamels, nail enamel removers and manicure preparations. Possible effects: neurotoxin; eye and lung irritant; lung allergen.
Benzalkonium Chloride – used in the formulation of shampoos, personal cleanliness products, skin cleansers, and skin care and eye makeup preparations. Possible effects: immune system, lung and skin toxicant; can trigger asthma; restricted in Canada and Japan.
Benzyl Alcohol - used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products, including baby products, bath products, soaps and detergents, eye makeup, blushers, cleansing products, make up products, as well as hair, nail and skin care products. Possible effects: strong neurotoxicant; can cause allergic reaction in lungs; causes itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin; caused liver damage, coma and death in animals.
Boric Acid – used in the formulation of a wide variety of product types including creams and lotions and bath, hair and skin products. Possible effects: strong reproductive toxin; potent endocrine disruptor; unsafe for use on infant, injured or damaged skin; causes death and birth defects in animals; banned in Canada and Japan.
Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol) – used as an effective preservative agent in the formulation of a wide variety of cosmetic and personal care products, especially shampoos, creams, lotions, rinses and eye makeup. Possible effects: one of the strongest lung and skin toxicants; endocrine disruptor; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine; causes allergic contact dermatitis environmental contaminant; poisonous to wildlife.
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) - is a waxy solid that can be found in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products, particularly in lipstick and eye shadow. Possible effects: human carcinogen; caused brain and liver tumors in animals at low doses; endocrine disruptor; causes allergic contact dermatitis and skin depigmentation; banned in European Union; persistent environmental toxin.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) – can be found in a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products, particularly in makeup products such as eyeliners, eye shadows, eyebrow pencils, lipsticks, blushes, face powders, and foundations, as well as in perfumes, moisturizers, and personal cleanliness products, skin cleansers, and skin care products. Possible effects: endocrine disruptor, skin and lungs toxicant at low doses; caused death, liver and stomach cancers, thrombosis, fibrosis, liver and brain damage in animals; strong skin and eye irritant.
Butylparaben - widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, and can be found in almost all product categories. Possible effects: skin and eye irritant; endocrine disruptor linked to breast and ovarian cancer; environmental contaminant.
Calcium Fluoride – Possible effects: neurotoxic to humans; leads to bone weakness; causes birth abnormalities and depression in animals.
Ceteareth (with any numeral following it) - used in skin care products, moisturizers, hair conditioners, suntan and indoor tanning products and hair dyes, colors, and tints. Possible effects: unsafe for use on broken skin; eye and lung irritant; may be contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane.
Cetrimonium Chloride - used in the formulation of hair conditioners, hair dyes and colors, other hair care products, and in some skin care products. Possible effects: skin and eye sensitizer that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering; caused cell mutations in animal studies.
Cetyl alcohol - widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, especially in skin lotions and creams. Possible effects: skin and eye irritant in humans.
Chloroacetamide - used in hair, bath, body and hand cleansing and personal products. Possible effects: strong skin, eye, and lung irritant; toxic if inhaled; causes paralysis, goiter, and birth defects in animals; banned in Canada.
Coal Tar – used in the formulation of Over-the-Counter (OTC) shampoos, skin care products, and hair care products for treatment of dandruf, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. Possible effects: known human carcinogen; causes lung and urinary tract cancer; potent skin irritant; causes multiple cancers in animals; banned in most countries including Canada and European Union; still used in anti-dandruff shampoos in the US and the U.K.
Cocamide DEA (ethanolamide of coconut acid) – used in the formulation of shampoos, hair dyes, bath products, and lotions. Possible effects: strong human skin toxicant and suspected carcinogen; causes irritation of skin, eyes, and lungs in humans; causes liver and bladder cancer in animals.
D&C Red 30 Lake - Possible effects: strong nervous system toxicant; as an aluminum compound, disrupts endocrine system and linked to breast and ovarian cancer; persistent wildlife contaminant.
D&C Violet 2 - Possible effects: coal tar dye; skin and eye irritant; long-time use of coal tar hair dye linked to bladder cancer.
Dibutyl phthalate - use in cosmetics and personal care products, principally as a solublizer in perfumes and as an alcohol denaturant. Dimethyl Phthalate has reported use in hair preparations. Dibutyl Phthalate was once a commonly used plastisizer in nail polish, with some use in hair spray, deodorant and perfume reported. The use of Dibutyl Phthalate in all cosmetics and personal care products has been discontinued by most manufacturers. Possible effects: neurotoxicant, linked to impaired fertility and urinary abnormalities, linked to breast and ovarian cancers, contaminates wildlife.
Diethanolamine (DEA) – organic substances that function as emulsifiers to produce foam and bubbles in cosmetics. These ingredients can also be used to adjust a product's pH. Possible effects: linked to brain abnormalities in animals; may be contaminated with carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane.
Dimeticone (dimethicone) – used in the formulation of a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products including cosmetic creams and lotions, bath soaps, shampoo and hair care products. Possible effects: petroleum derivative, environmental toxicant.
Direct Black 38 - Possible effects: diethanolamine-containing dye that is a confirmed human carcinogen; strong evidence of causing bladder cancer; may harm unborn child; causes liver and kidney cancer in animals; banned in European Union.
DMDM Hydantoin - contains carcinogenic Formaldehyde; used in the formulation of shampoos, hair conditioners, skin care products, moisturizers, bath products, and makeup bases and foundations. Possible effects: skin, eye and lung irritant; environmental toxicant.
Ethylparaben - widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, and can be found in almost all product categories. Possible effects: skin and eye irritant; endocrine disruptor linked to breast and ovarian cancer; environmental contaminant.
Eugenol - a naturally occurring substance found in many plants, is used to make fragrances and flavors. In cosmetics and personal care products, Eugenol is used in the formulation of aftershave lotions, bath products, bubble baths, fragrances, hair care products, moisturizers, shampoos and skin care products. Possible effects: endocrine disruptor, skin, eye and lung irritant; well-recognized consumer allergen; caused death, coma, insomnia, convulsions, hematuria, pulmonary edema and liver cancer in animals.
Ext. D&C Violet 2 – Possible effects: this coal tar dye is a strong skin irritant; long-time use of coal tar dyes is linked to increased risk of bladder cancer; this dye is restricted in cosmetics.
FD&C Blue 1 - Possible effects: derived from coal tar; linked to allergies and hyperactivity disorders.Fig (Ficus Carica) Extract – immune system toxin; cannot be used as fragrance ingredient due to potential carcinogenicity; banned in European Union; allowed in the US as fragrance ingredient in shampoos and body washes.
FD&C Green 3 - Possible effects: causes sarcomas and bone marrow hyperplasia in animals; not studied for safety in humans; prohibited in European Union.
FD&C Yellow 5 (E104, tartrazine) – Possible effects: causes severe allergic and intolerance reactions, especially among asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance; linked to thyroid tumors, chromosomal damage, hives, and hyperactivity in humans.
FD&C Yellow 5 Aluminum Lake - Possible effects: aluminum compounds are neurotoxic to humans.
FD&C Yellow 6 - Possible effects: human skin and eye irritant; caused coma, convulsions, testicular damage, and changes in leucocytes in animals; cannot be used in eye cosmetics
Fig (Ficus Carica) Extract – Possible effects: immune system toxin; cannot be used as fragrance ingredient due to potential carcinogenicity; banned in European Union; allowed in the US as fragrance ingredient in shampoos and body washes.
Formaldehyde - Possible effects: known human carcinogen linked to leukemia, pancreatic, skin, liver, and lung cancer; strong skin, eye, and lung irritant; irritates human liver (causes cirrhosis), stomach, kidneys, and bladder; can cause skin burns; triggers asthma; hazardous air pollutant; environmental toxin; banned in Canada and Japan; determined as safe for use in cosmetics in the US.Glyceryl Stearate – weak skin, eye and lung irritant.
Formaldehyde Resin - Possible effects: contains Formaldehyde and carries same risks; can trigger allergic reaction in the skin or lungs.
Formaldehyde Solution (Formalin) - Possible effects: linked to leukemia, nasal and nasopharyngeal cancer; neurotoxin in humans and animals; linked to bladder and liver cancer; restricted in Canada and European Union known human carcinogen linked to leukemia, pancreatic, skin, liver, and lung cancer; strong skin, eye, and lun irritant; irritates human liver (causes cirrhosis), stomach, kidneys, and bladder; can cause skin burns; triggers asthma; hazardous air pollutant; environmental toxin; banned in Canada an Japan; determined as safe for use in cosmetics in the US.
Glyceryl Stearate – widely used and can be found in lotions, creams, powders, skin cleansing products, makeup bases and foundations, mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, hair conditioners and rinses, and suntan and sunscreen products. Possible effects: weak skin, eye and lung irritant.
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate - contains Diethanolamine; used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal-care products. Possible effects: can affect thyroid function; gastrointestinal or liver toxicant; cannot be used in aerosols; causes allergic contact dermatitis; restricted in Japan.
Imidazolidinyl Urea (Uric Acid) – can be found in many product types including lotions, creams, hair conditioners, shampoos and deodorants. Possible effects: can cause itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin.
Isobutylparaben – widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, and can be found in almost all product categories. Possible effects: skin and eye irritant; endocrine disruptor linked to breast and ovarian cancer; environmental contaminant.
Isoparaffin – used in eye makeup preparations, including mascara, makeup preparations, manicuring preparations, skin care and hair care products. Possible effects: petroleum derivative; environmental toxin; mildly irritating; produced kidney damage in animals; not carcinogenic in humans.
Isopropyl Alcohol (SD-40) - widely used ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products and can be found in products such as aftershave lotions, bath products, eye makeup, other makeup products, cleansing products, as well as nail, hair and skin care products. Possible effects: human neurotoxin; skin, eye, and lung irritant; vapors cause drowsiness and dizziness; causes skin dehydration, may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin; petroleum derivative.
Hydroquinone - t-Butyl Hydroquinone, also called TBHQ, is a white to light tan crystalline solid. In cosmetics and personal care products, TBHQ is used in the formulation of lipsticks, colognes, moisturizers and other makeup products. Possible effects: eye, lungs, and nervous system toxin; can cause itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin; suspected liver and stomach carcinogen; causes liver cancer, DNA and ovary mutations in animals; restricted in Canada.
Lactic acid – used in the formulation of moisturizers, cleansing products, and other skin care products, as well as in makeup, shampoos, hair dyes and colors and other hair care products. Possible effects: strong skin and eye irritant; can cause skin burns; causes changes in liver, brain and blood in animals; caused mutations and birth defects in animals; restricted in Canada.
Lanolin - can be found in baby products, skin care, shaving, manicuring, hair care, suntan and sunscreen products, as well as eye, lip and facial makeup. Possible effects: strong skin irritant and toxicant; can cause allergic reaction in the lungs.
Laureth-7 (polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol) – used in the formulation of a variety of bath, eye, facial, hair, cleansing and sunscreen products. Also used in cuticle softeners, deodorants and moisturizing products. Possible effects: may be contaminated with carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane.
Lead acetate – used in the formulation of hair coloring products. Possible effects: possible human carcinogen and neurotoxin; skin and eye irritant; environmental toxin; banned in the European Union.
Lecithin - used in the formulation of a large number of cosmetics and personal care products. Possible effects: can irritate lungs in aerosol form; a potent asthma trigger; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents.
Manganese Sulfate - Possible effects: strong human neurotoxin; harmful during prolonged exposure or inhalation; causes convulsions, DNA mutations, and protein loss in animals; toxic to wildlife.
Methamine - Possible effects: strong skin, eye, nose, and lungs irritant; can cause itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin; may be contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-Dioxane; cannot be used in aerosol cosmetics.
Methyl Methacrylate - Possible effects: strong neurotoxin; strong eye and lung irritant; causes asthma and skin burns; causes cancer and stomach bleeding in animals; hazardous air pollutant; banned in Canada and in the US.
Methylparaben - widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, and can be found in almost all product categories. Possible effects: skin and eye irritant; endocrine disruptor linked to breast and ovarian cancer; environmental contaminant.
Mineral oil (liquid petrolatum) - is a clear liquid that is used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products. Possible effects: caused blood and skin cancer formations in animals; eye and skin irritant; derived from petroleum; non-biodegradable environmental toxin.
Monoethanolamine (MEA) - Acetamide MEA an amide made from acetamide and monoethanolamine (MEA), also called ethanolamine. It is a clear liquid. In cosmetics and personal care products, Acetamide MEA is used in the formulation of bubble baths, hair conditioners, shampoos, wave sets, moisturizers, and other bath and hair care products. Possible effects: skin and eye irritant at low doses, can be irritating to the respiratory tract.
Nonoxynol (ethoxylated alkyl phenol) – used in hair and skin care products, bath and shaving products, and personal cleanliness products. Possible effects: endocrine disruptor; skin and lung irritant; caused liver damage in animals; may be contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane.
Octoxynol (10, 11, 13, 40) – used principally in hair dyes and colors but can also be found in hair conditioners, permanent waves and other product types. Possible effects: strong skin and eye toxin that can cause itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin; may contain carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane; caused cancer of reproductive organs in animals.
Oxybenzone (benzophenone-4) – Benzophenone-1 and Benzophenone-3 are used mostly in the formulation of nail polishes and enamels. Benzophenone ingredients are also used in bath products, makeup products, hair products, sunscreens and skin care products. Possible effects: strong photoallergen, endocrine disruptor; produces free radicals that can increase skin aging; environmental toxicant.
Padimate O (Octyl Dimethyl PABA/PABA Ester) – Possible effects: has estrogenic activity; releases free radicals that damages DNA when exposed to sunlight; causes allergic reactions and photoallegenic dermatitis; restricted in Japan.
Para Amino Benzonic Acid (PABA) - used in the formulation of sun protection products, as well as skin, hair, cleansing and makeup products. Possible effects: causes allergic dermatitis and photosensitivity; produces free radicals that cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease; causes changes in blood components and muscle weakness in animals; banned in Canada.
Paraffin (parrafinum liquidum, paraffin petrolatum) - used in many types of products including lipsticks, baby products, eye and facial makeup, as well as nail care, skin care, suntan, sunscreen, fragrance, and noncoloring hair preparations. Possible effects: petrochemical bleached with carcinogen acrolyn; releases carcinogens benzene and toluene upon heating; caused kidney or renal system tumor in animals; environmental toxin.
PEG-100 Stearate - used in skin creams, conditioners, shampoos, body cleansers and soapless detergents. Possible effects: polyethylene glycols are often contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane; suspected endocrine disruptor; linked to cancer in animals; skin and eye irritant.
Petrolatum (soft paraffin, white petrolatum, petroleum jelly) - is used in the formulation of a variety of product types, including bath products, cleansing products, skin care products, makeup, shampoos, permanent waves, hair conditioners, shaving products, and suntan products. Possible effects: lung irritant upon inhalation; derived from petroleum; non-biodegradable environmental toxin.
Phenol – is a white solid that turns pink or red if exposed to light. In cosmetics and personal care products, Phenol is used in bath, hair and skin care products. Possible effects: strong respiratory irritant; toxic by skin contact, causes skin burns; causes kidney damage and cyanosis in humans; causes skin cancer, birth defects, brain and nervous system damage in animals at very low doses; environmental contaminant; banned in Canada, restricted in Japan, permitted in the US.
Picric acid - Possible effects: human immune system toxicant; toxic by inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion; causes allergic reaction in the skin or lungs; causes coma, convulsions, body temperature increase in animals; banned in Canada and European Union.
Placental Extract – Possible effects: endocrine disruptor containing estradiol and progesteron; banned in Canada.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) - Possible effects: often contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-Dioxane; suspected endocrine disruptor; linked to cancer in animals; skin and eye irritant.
Polyethylene Terephthalate – used in the formulation of foundations, leg and body paints, nail polish and enamels, and hair coloring products. Possible effects: causes cancer in animals; not studied for safety in humans.
Polysorbate 80 - used in a variety of products including skin fresheners, skin care products, skin cleansing products, makeup bases and foundations, shampoos, permanent waves and fragrance powders. Possible effects: contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane; suspected endocrine disruptor; linked to cancer in animals; skin and eye irritant.
Potassium Persulfate - is an inorganic salt. In cosmetics and personal care products, mixtures of persulfates such as Ammonium Persulfate, Potassium Persulfate and Sodium Persulfate are used in hair bleaches and hair lighteners. Possible effects: strong irritant to eyes, lungs, respiratory system and skin; restricted for use in cosmetics.
P-phenylenediamine - hair dye ingredients used in the formulation of permanent hair dyes, colors, and tints. Possible effects: linked to bladder and prostate cancer; human neurotoxin; skin and lung irritant; causes liver cancer and birth defects in animals; very strong environmental toxin.
Propyl Acetate – Possible effects: skin, eye, nose and lung irritant.
Propylparaben - widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, and can be found in almost all product categories. Possible effects: skin and eye irritant; endocrine disruptor linked to breast and ovarian cancer; environmental contaminant.
Resorcinol (m-hydroquinone, euresol, 1,3-benzenediol) – typically used in the formulation of hair dyes and colors, but it can also be used in other hair and skin care products. Possible effects: strong skin irritant, linked to adenomas in animals, suspected to trigger skin cancer in humans, environmental toxin.
Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60 - Possible effects: formaldehyde releasing; can cause skin and eye irritation; linked to several cancers (see Formaldehyde)
Saccharin – Calcium Saccharin and Sodium Saccharin are sweeteners that have been used in food for many years. In cosmetics and personal care products, Saccharin, Calcium Saccharin and Sodium Saccharin are used in the formulation of dental products, mouthwashes and lipstick. Possible effects: suspected human carcinogen; causes liver, kidney and bladder damage in animals, as well as reproductive damage and birth abnormalities, during numerous studies.
Silica - and Hydrated Silica are used in a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products including bath products, eye makeup, hair care products, makeup, nail care products, oral hygiene products and skin care products. Possible effects: linked to esophageal cancer, renal disease, pulmonary fibrosis, mesothelioma, sarcoma, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis; strong nasal and lung irritant; wildlife toxicant; accumulates in human body.
Sodium Metabisulfite - used in the formulation of permanent waves, hair bleaches, hair dyes, colors and tints, and in some bath and skin care products. Possible effects: immune system toxicant; eye and skin irritant; emits toxic gas when contacts with acids; dangerous for asthmatics; causes stillbirth, muscle weakeness and brain degeneration in animals.Talc - even when it contains no asbestos, was proven fibrogenic (causes tissue injury and fibrosis), skin and lung irritation.
Sodium Methylparaben – Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. They protect cosmetics and personal care products by preventing or retarding the growth of yeast and mold as will as some types of bacteria. They can be found in shampoos, conditioners, water-based styling aids, moisturizers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, personal lubricants, topical pharmaceuticals and toothpaste. Possible effects: endocrine disruptor; caused mild brain damage in animals; skin irritant causing itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin; causes depigmentation of skin; banned for use in EU.
Sodium Monofluorophosphate - Possible effects: nervous system toxin; harmful if swallowed during teeth bleaching; causes convulsions, proteinuria, osteoporosis and changes in DNA in animals; restricted in Canada.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate - salts of sulfated ethoxylated fatty alcohols. The alcohol is either a specific alcohol, such as lauryl alcohol, or a mixture of alcohols, for example coconut alcohol. These ingredients are primarily used in cleansing products, including bubble baths, bath soaps and detergents and shampoos. Among the alkyl ether sulfate ingredients, Sodium Laureth Sulfate is most commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products. Possible effects: skin irritant, water contaminant, may be contaminated with carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane.
Talc - is used in the formulation of makeup, baby powder, body powder and deodorizing powder. Possible effects: even when it contains no asbestos, was proven fibrogenic (causes tissue injury and fibrosis), skin and lung irritation.
Teflon – Possible effects: causes toxic pneumonitis and skin cancer in animals; no studied for safety in humans.
Tetrasodium EDTA - are crystalline powders often sold as aqueous solutions. In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients are widely used and can be found in moisturizers, skin care and cleansing products, personal cleanliness products, bath soaps, shampoos and conditioners, hair dyes, hair bleaches, and many other product types. Possible effects: contains formaldehyde; cytotoxic and genotoxic in animals; strong skin and lung irritant in humans; most widespread poison to waterways.
Thimerosal (Thiomersal, Merthiolate) – Possible effects: strong oxin to skin, nervous and immune system; mercury is linked to autism; causes cancer in animals; environmental toxin
Thioglycolic Acid (contains mercury) – is an organic compound that contains a thiol group (-SH) and carboxylic acid. It is a colorless liquid. Thioglycolic Acid and some salts and esters of Thioglycolic Acid, such as Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Glyceryl Thioglycolate, Isooctyl Thioglycolate, Isopropyl Thioglycolate, Magnesium Thioglycolate, Methyl Thioglycolate, Potassium Thioglycolate and Sodium Thioglycolate are used in hair coloring products, permanent wave products, hair straightening products and depilatory products. Possible effects: strong human skin irritant; causes itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin; lung allergen; restricted in cosmetics; banned in Canada.
Toluene (methylbenzene) - is a clear liquid with an aromatic odor. In cosmetics and personal care products, the use of Toluene is limited to nail products. Possible effects: skin and lung toxicant; carcinogen; accumulates in fat tissue; soil contaminant.
Triclosan – is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial used as an active ingredient in skin and oral care Over-the-Counter (OTC) drug products and as a preservative in water based consumer products as well as in certain specialized applications such as textiles and plastics. In cosmetics and personal care products, Triclosan can be used as the preservative in water based formulations of aftershave lotions, bath products, cleansing products, foot sprays, hair conditioners, makeup products, powders, shampoos, shaving products, skin care products, and suntan products. As a bacteriostatic agent against body odor causing bacteria, Triclosan can be found in deodorants, foot sprays, body sprays, and personal cleanliness products. As an antibacterial agent, Triclosan is found in toothpaste, antibacterial handwash and body wash and in topical antiseptic products for wound care. Possible effects: endocrine disruptor, affects thyroid hormone-associated gene expression, caused fetal death in animals; strong skin irritant; environmental toxicant.
Triethanolamine (TEA) – clear, colorless, viscous liquid with ammonia-like odor. In cosmetics and personal care products, Triethanolamine is used in makeup products such as eyeliners, mascara, eye shadows, blushers, make-up bases and foundations, as well as in fragrances, hair care products, hair dyes, wave sets, shaving products, sunscreens, and skin care and skin cleansing products. Possible effects: causes lymphoid, kidney and renal tumors in animals; may be contaminated with carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane; skin and eye irritant even when used in low doses.
Triphenyl Phosphate – is a colorless, crystalline solid. It is used in the formulation of nail polish and enamels, basecoats and undercoats, and manicuring products. Possible effects: human neurotoxin; skin, eye and lung irritant; causes tremors, depression, and diarrhea in animals.
Xanthene (AKA106, CI 45100) – Possible effects: found unsafe for use in cosmetics in the US; caused cancer and various organ mutations in animals.
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