This article is aimed at letting you quickly read the labels of your skincare or cosmetics product and find out if the product is potentially irritating, harmful, or even toxic. This list of ingredients is divided into Good, Bad, Potentially Bad and Toxic.
There is just one thing to keep in mind when you are reading your skincare product ingredient labels - the ingredient mentioned first has the highest concentration in the product. The ingredients are listed in the order of highest to lowest concentration. So for example if you are buying a product because of Salicylic Acid in it, and it is way down in the ingredients list, you are not going to get much benefit from the product.
|
Ingredient Name |
Good or Bad |
What is it |
Why Good / Bad |
|
Aloe |
Good |
Aloe gel from Aloe Barbadensis plant |
Soothes skin burn, Anti-inflammatory |
|
Toluene or Toluol or Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) |
Aromatic Hydrocarbon |
Leads to Brain toxicity and extremely dangerous for pregnant women (can cause mental disabilities in children) |
|
|
Salicylic acid |
Good |
BHA |
Exfoliates the skin and good for acne-prone skin |
|
Carbon black or PBK-7 |
Black Pigment from charring organic materials such as wood or bone |
Dark black powder used as a pigment in cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. Potential link to cancer when inhaled (not topical application) |
|
|
Formaldehyde |
CH₂O |
Well known carcinogen used as a preservative |
|
|
Triclosan |
Chemical |
Used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It affects thryoid and reproductive hormones. Banned in several countries. |
|
|
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAs) and Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) or polyfluoroalkyl |
Chemical |
They are stain, water and grease repellent chemicals commonly used in waterproof mascara and eye liners. Affects the liver and thyroid hormone |
|
|
Teflon or Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) |
Bad |
Chemical (PFA) |
Added in cosmetics to improve the texture. Linked to hormone disruptions and reproductive issues. |
|
Panthenol or pro-vitamin B5 |
Good |
Chemical substance made from Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) |
Anti-inflammatory and Moisturizing, improve skin's hydration, elasticity, and smooth appearance |
|
Talc or Talcum Powder |
Clay Mineral |
Used in makeup as a smoothening agent. It is generally safe but can be potentially contaminated with asbestos which is a known carcinogen and linked to lung disease |
|
|
Allantoin |
Good |
Compound from plants like chamomile, wheat sprouts, sugar beet and comfrey |
Anti-inflammatory |
|
Cyclosiloxanes |
Cyclic Silicones |
Linked to endocrine dysfunction and asthma |
|
|
Papain |
Bad |
Enzyme from papaya |
Can be quiet irritating to the skin. |
|
Monoethanolamine (MEA) |
Potentially Bad |
Ethanolamine |
Used in foundation and mascara as emulsifiers. Can be allergic for some people |
|
Diethanolamine (DEA) |
Potentially Bad |
Ethanolamine |
Used in foundation and mascara as emulsifiers. Can be allergic for some people |
|
Triethanolamine (TEA) |
Potentially Bad |
Ethanolamine |
Used in foundation and mascara as emulsifiers. Can be allergic for some people |
|
Shea Butter |
Good |
Fat extracted from African Shea tree |
Moisturizing |
|
Cocoa Butter |
Bad |
fat extracted from the cocoa bean |
4 out of 5 on Comodogenic scale, meaning it is likely to clog pores. Not at all good for oily acne prone skin. May be ideal for body and eye area because they don't have as much oil glands. |
|
Caprylic glycerides |
Good |
Fatty Acids from coconut |
Moisturize |
|
Formalin |
Formaldehyde |
Well known carcinogen used as a preservative |
|
|
Formic aldehyde |
Formaldehyde |
Well known carcinogen used as a preservative |
|
|
Methanediol |
Formaldehyde |
Well known carcinogen used as a preservative |
|
|
Methanal |
Formaldehyde |
Well known carcinogen used as a preservative |
|
|
Methyl aldehyde |
Formaldehyde |
Well known carcinogen used as a preservative |
|
|
Methylene glycol |
Formaldehyde |
Well known carcinogen used as a preservative |
|
|
Methylene oxide |
Formaldehyde |
Well known carcinogen used as a preservative |
|
|
Fragrance or Parfum |
Bad |
Fragrance |
Any kind of fragrance in the product can irritate the skin and cause further damage to the skin. Fragranc is the leading cause of Contact Dermititis. |
|
Limonene |
Bad |
Fragrance |
Any kind of fragrance in the product can irritate the skin and cause further damage to the skin. Fragranc is the leading cause of Contact Dermititis. |
|
Algae Extract |
Good |
from marine algae |
Moisturizing |
|
Ferulic acid |
Good |
From seeds of apples and oranges |
Antioxidant |
|
Lactamide |
Good |
Humectant |
Used in moisturizers as humectants to hold moisture on the top layer of the skin. |
|
MEA |
Good |
Humectant |
Used in moisturizers as humectants to hold moisture on the top layer of the skin. |
|
Amino Acids |
Good |
Humectant |
Used in moisturizers as humectants to hold moisture on the top layer of the skin. |
|
Sodium Hyaluronate |
Good |
Humectant |
Used in moisturizers as humectants to hold moisture on the top layer of the skin. |
|
Lavendula Extract |
Bad |
Lavender Extract |
Sensitises the skin |
|
Jojoba Oil |
Good |
Liquid produced in the seed of the Simmondsia chinensis plant |
Moisturizing |
|
Hyaluronic Acid or Hyaluronan |
Good |
Made from bacteria in a lab. Also produced by our skin |
Attracts moisture from humid air and keeps skin moisturized |
|
Melissa Officinalis |
Bad |
Mint |
Used in products for a refreshing and cooling effect on skin but mint actually sentisizes the skin |
|
Mint |
Bad |
Mint |
Used in products for a refreshing and cooling effect on skin but mint actually sentisizes the skin |
|
Menthoxypropanediol |
Bad |
Mint - sythetic derivative of menthol |
Used for fragrance but it is a skin sensitizer |
|
Argan |
Bad |
Oil |
Can irritate the skin and cause acne. It is a 4 out of 4 in the irritant scale. |
|
Carrot Seed Oil |
Bad |
Oil |
4 out of 5 on Comodogenic scale, meaning it is likely to clog pores |
|
Coconut Oil |
Bad |
Oil |
4 out of 5 on Comodogenic scale, meaning it is likely to clog pores |
|
Flax Seed Oil (Linseed) |
Bad |
Oil |
4 out of 5 on Comodogenic scale, meaning it is likely to clog pores |
|
Soybean Oil |
Bad |
Oil |
4-5 out of 5 on Comodogenic scale, meaning it is likely to clog pores |
|
Wheat Germ Oil |
Bad |
Oil |
5 out of 5 on Comodogenic scale, meaning it is likely to clog pores |
|
Citrus Paradisi |
Bad |
Oil - Grapefruit extract |
Essential oil which is highly irritating for the face. |
|
Cananga Flower Oil |
Bad |
Oil extracted from Cananga Tree native to India |
Used for fragrance but it is a skin sensitizer |
|
Good |
Oil from fish oils and olive oil. Also produced within our skin |
Emollient so it smoothes the skin, thereby making the appearance of the skin smooth. Also form occlusive barrier on the surface of the skin that prevents trans-epidermal water loss. 0-1 out of 5 on comodogenic scale. |
|
|
Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 (BP3) |
Organic Compound |
Endocrine Disruptor commonly found in sunscreen, lotions, lip balms, cleansers, fragrance and baby products. |
|
|
Octinoxate or Octyl methoxycinnamate or thylhexyl methoxycinnamate or octinoxate, trade names Eusolex 2292 and Uvinul MC80 |
Organic Compound |
Found in sunscreen and lip balms. Can be potentially irritating for sensitive skin |
|
|
Homosalate |
Organic Compound |
Found in sunscreen as a chemical UV filter. Endocrine disrupter and may cause hormonal problems. |
|
|
Methylparabens |
Bad |
Paraben |
Used as preservatives. Parabens cause endocrine disruption linked to obesity |
|
Propylparabens |
Bad |
Paraben |
Used as preservatives. Parabens cause endocrine disruption linked to obesity |
|
Butylparabens |
Bad |
Paraben |
Used as preservatives. Parabens cause endocrine disruption linked to obesity |
|
Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 |
Good |
Peptides |
Stimulate Collagen Production |
|
DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) |
Phthalates |
Used as Lubricants in cosmetics. Phthalates are linked to less masculinity in boys, child obesity, and reproductive health problems |
|
|
DEP (diethyl phthalate) |
Phthalates |
Used as Lubricants in cosmetics. Phthalates are linked to less masculinity in boys, child obesity, and reproductive health problems |
|
|
DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate |
Phthalates |
Used as Lubricants in cosmetics. Phthalates are linked to less masculinity in boys, child obesity, and reproductive health problems |
|
|
DEHP bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate |
Phthalates |
Used as Lubricants in cosmetics. Phthalates are linked to less masculinity in boys, child obesity, and reproductive health problems |
|
|
BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) |
Phthalates |
Used as Lubricants in cosmetics. Phthalates are linked to less masculinity in boys, child obesity, and reproductive health problems |
|
|
DMP (dimethyl phthalate) |
Phthalates |
Used as Lubricants in cosmetics. Phthalates are linked to less masculinity in boys, child obesity, and reproductive health problems |
|
|
Carrageenan or Carrageenins |
Bad |
Polysaccharides from red edible seaweeds |
5 out of 5 on Comodogenic scale, meaning it is very likely to clog your pores. |
|
Benzylhemiformal |
Preservative |
A cosmetic preservative that can release formaldehyde - a known carcinogen. |
|
|
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol |
Preservative |
A cosmetic preservative that can release formaldehyde - a known carcinogen. |
|
|
5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane |
Preservative |
A cosmetic preservative that can release formaldehyde - a known carcinogen. |
|
|
Diazolidinyl urea |
Preservative |
A cosmetic preservative that can release formaldehyde - a known carcinogen. |
|
|
1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (or DMDM hydantoin) |
Preservative |
A cosmetic preservative that can release formaldehyde - a known carcinogen. |
|
|
Imidazolidinyl urea |
Preservative |
A cosmetic preservative that can release formaldehyde - a known carcinogen. |
|
|
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate |
Preservative |
A cosmetic preservative that can release formaldehyde - a known carcinogen. |
|
|
Quaternium-15 |
Preservative |
A cosmetic preservative that can release formaldehyde - a known carcinogen. |
|
|
Bronopol |
Bad |
Preservative |
A cosmetic preservative that can release formaldehyde - a known carcinogen. |
|
Sodium Laureth Sulfates |
Bad |
Sulfate |
Used to create a foaming lather. They attract water and oil from skin and found in shampoos, soaps, cleansers and body wash. Bad because it is overstripping. |
|
Alkylbenzene Sulfonate |
Bad |
Sulfate |
Used to create a foaming lather. They attract water and oil from skin and found in shampoos, soaps, cleansers and body wash. Bad because it is overstripping. |
|
Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate |
Bad |
Sulfate |
Used to create a foaming lather. They attract water and oil from skin and found in shampoos, soaps, cleansers and body wash. Bad because it is overstripping. |
|
Hydroquinone |
Bad |
Sulfate |
Used for treating Hyperpigmentation. It is Toxic to skin cells |
|
Linalool |
Bad |
Terpene alcohol from flowers and spice plants |
Even a very low pecentage of 0.25 can irritate the skin. |
|
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate |
Good |
Vitamin C |
Antioxidant, brightens skin, stimulate collagen production, anti-aging |
|
Tocopherol |
Good |
Vitamin E |
Moisturize (water retention), Antioxidant |
|
Butylene Glycol |
Good |
||
|
Sodium Lactate |
Good |
Table of contents
