The Toxic Index

Your ContentOften found in lipsticks and moisturizers, among other types of cosmetics, BHA and BHT are classified as possible carcinogens. Long-term exposure to these ingredients has been linked to liver, thyroid, and kidney problems.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com

Many of the ingredients used in hair dyes are derived from petroleum and composed of many different chemicals. Coal tar dyes are recognized as a human carcinogen and have been linked to brain damage. P-phenylenediamine is a highly common skin allergen. Health concerns exist for these ingredients that include: skin sensitization, cancer, mutagenicity (i.e. DNA-altering), organ system toxicity and respiratory distress.

Sources: ecodiscoveries.com, SafeCosmetics.org, ewg.org

This ingredient helps make cosmetic products creamy or sudsy. It can be found in products like facial cleansers, shampoos, soaps and moisturizers. In the short term, DEA can cause moderate skin and eye irritation, while sustained exposure has been linked to liver, skin, and thyroid cancers.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com

Utilized to increase durability and longevity of products, Phthalates may disrupt hormones and damage the reproductive system. Dibutyl phthalate is a plasticizer commonly used to prevent nail polish from becoming brittle. Consistent use of DBP has been linked to hormonal disruptions and developmental defects in fetuses, as well as liver and kidney failure.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com

Formaldehydes are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics. They can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. High levels of exposure may cause some types of cancers.

Source: EPA, ecodiscoveries.com

BPA has been used in lipsticks, face and eye makeup and nail lacquers. It may be reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen in the breast and prostate due to its tumor promoting properties. BPA can mimic estrogen to interact with estrogen receptors α and β, leading to changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, or migration and thereby,

contributing to cancer development and progression.

Source: NCBI

Parabens are used as preservatives in cosmetic products. Their exposure has been linked to hormonal disruptions, breast cancer, increased skin aging, and DNA damage.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com

Typically showing up as one word on ingredient lists as “fragrance” or “parfum”, there are about 3,000 different ingredients that contribute to fragrances. Used in more than just perfumes, these smell-enhancing substances can be found in almost every type of cosmetic product. Many of the unlisted ingredients that create fragrances have been linked to health problems like asthma, allergies, and even cancer.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com

Common in cream-based cosmetics, PEG compounds are used as thickeners, solvents and moisture-carriers. Depending on how they are manufactured, these ingredients can get contaminated with carcinogenic substances like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Even when not contaminated, PEG compounds have been shown to cause skin irritation.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com

Petrolatum is a petroleum jelly that is used in hair products to add shine. It is also used in lip balms, lip sticks, and moisturizers as a moisture barrier. The ingredient is often contaminated with PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), a known carcinogen, and can cause skin irritation and allergies in smaller doses.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com

Silicones are smoothing - they give products like creams or make-up a silky, spreadable, luxurious texture. They also give shine and softness in shampoo and other hair care products. While not considered particularly harmful to the skin, non-soluble in water, dimethicone molecules are chemically inert, and very stable.  That raises the question of their biodegradability. It can take them 400-500 years on average to decompose, there is significance of pollution risks and risks of disturbing the ecosystem.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com, Thecosmetist.com

This foaming agent can be found in cosmetics like cleansers, bubble bath, and shampoo. Many commercial varieties are contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane – known carcinogens.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com

The ingredient is said to cause skin and eye irritations in the short run, and

conditions like antibiotic resistance and hormonal disruptions with sustained use.

Source: ecodiscoveries.com

The human population is exposed to aluminum from vaccines, diet, and drinking water, yet the frequent use of aluminum-based cosmetics might add additional local exposure. Aluminum may cause gene instability, alter gene expression, or enhance oxidative stress.

Source: ncbi

Used for sunscreen protection, these chemicals are destroying our oceans. They cause genetic damage to marine life, including coral reefs. It has even been detected in human

breast milk and blood and can act as an endocrine disruptor that may increase the risk of breast cancer and endometriosis

Source: Prevention, ewg.org, civil beats

Micro plastic pollution, that is difficult to filter out of the water supply, ends up being consumed by sea life and humans through the water systems. Although microplastics are small — plastic debris less than five millimeters long — they pose one of the largest emerging threats to the global environmental community today. Microplastics have been

introduced to the environment over the last 50 years through plastic refuse which has been broken down, and particles in health and beauty products which have entered the waste stream. Almost all species of life that have been studied demonstrate exposure to degraded micro-plastics.

Source: itrc, nature.com

Mercury may cause skin defects such as rashes, discoloration and scarring, as well as loss of resistance to bacterial and fungal infections. Mercury can damage the kidneys and nervous system. Mercury toxicity may also cause miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and low birth weight.

Source: toxic twelve, mpdi.com, ecfr.com

Many lotions, cleansers, nail polish, shaving cream, and some types of makeup, such as lipstick, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara contain PFAS, which number in the thousands. They have been linked to several serious health concerns, including: increased risks of kidney and testicular cancers, liver harms, higher cholesterol levels, immune system effects, and elevated blood pressure in pregnant women.

Source: FDA, Environmental Health News

Studies have found that octocrylene causes relatively high rates of skin allergies (Bryden 2006). It has been linked to aquatic toxicity, with the potential to harm coral health (Stein 2019), and it is often contaminated with the known carcinogen benzophenone.

Source: EWG.org

Evidence of clinical experience and photopatch tests indicate that bithionol is capable of causing photosensitivity in humans when used topically and that in some instances the photosensitization may persist for prolonged periods as severe reactions without further contact with sensitizing articles. Also, there is evidence to indicate that bithionol may produce cross-sensitization with other commonly used chemicals such as certain halogenated salicylanilides and hexachlorophene. 

Source: ecfr.gov

They are considered potential carcinogens and may present non-reproductive systemic toxicity.

Source: EWG Skindeep

Studies conducted by the National Cancer Institute have demonstrated that the oral administration of chloroform to mice and rats induced hepatocellular carcinomas (liver cancer) in mice and renal tumors in male rats. Scientific literature indicates that chloroform is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, through the respiratory system, and through the skin. 

Source: ecfr.gov, epa.gov

Halogenated salicylanilides have been used as antimicrobial agents for a variety of purposes in cosmetic products. They are potent photosensitizers and cross-sensitizers and can cause disabling skin disorders. In some instances, the photosensitization may persist for prolonged periods as a severe reaction without further exposure to these chemicals. 

Source: ecfr.gov

Studies have shown that toxic amounts of hexachlorophene can be absorbed through the skin of humans, especially the skin of premature babies or damaged skin. Human toxicity reports include data on symptomatology, blood and tissue levels of hexachlorophene, and descriptions of neuropathologic lesions. Recent infant deaths due to use of baby powder accidentally contaminated with 6 percent hexachlorophene have occurred.

Source: ecfr.gov

Some people are particularly sensitive to sulfate-containing products and may develop dermatitis (skin inflammation) due to these products. Sulfates can also clog pores making skin prone to acne.

Source: medicinenet.com

In a 2-year animal inhalation study sponsored by the National Toxicology Program, methylene chloride produced a significant increase in benign and malignant tumors of the lung and liver of male and female mice. 

Source: FDA, ecfr.gov

Aminophenol is suspected to present an occupational hazard if used in excess of low dose standards and is considered a wildlife and environmental hazard.

Source: EWG skindeep

It is considered a human skin, eye and lung irritant and toxicant. If ingested it may cause gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms.

Source: EWG Skindeep

When used in the confines of a small room, the level of vinyl chloride exposure could be significantly in excess of the safe level. Inhalation at high concentrations can result in acute toxicity, manifested by dizziness, headache, disorientation, and unconsciousness. Furthermore, vinyl chloride has recently been linked to liver disease, including liver cancer, in workers engaged in the polymerization of vinyl chloride.

Source: ecfr.gov

When used in aerosol form, some zirconium will reach the deep portions of the lungs of users. The lung is an organ, like skin, subject to the development of granulomas. Unlike the skin, the lung will not reveal the presence of granulomatous changes until they have become advanced and, in some cases, permanent.

Source: ecfr.gov

As a result, titanium dioxide is now banned as a food additive in the EU. Although studies have shown that the absorption of ingested titanium dioxide is low, evidence suggests that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can accumulate in the body over time. In a recent study titanium dioxide nanoparticle accumulation in colon cells has been determined to be a carcinogen.

Source: cspinet.org, sciencedirect.com