The Dirty List
I believe in only using products that are free from the following chemicals and toxins. These chemicals would never be present in any of my own products. I wanted to share this list so you as the consumer can make healthier decisions when it comes to personal care.
You can find all of these ingredients on the back of your products. For beauty products, ingredients might not be found directly on the bottle and can sometimes be found on the outside packaging.
Plastics are also extremely toxic, containing not only BPA (which is a known endocrine disruptor) but many other chemicals that can leach into food. They are also very harmful for our environment.
Synthetic Fragrance/Phthalates (DBP, DEP, DEHP)
Where it’s found: Lab made fragrances not derived from essential oils. Found in perfumes, body lotions, hair care, makeup, candles and other personal care products. FDA does not need to disclose ingredients that go into making fragrances and are not always listed
Why it’s dirty: Known endocrine disruptor, developmental and reproductive toxicity, carcinogenic
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Triclosan
Where is it found: Found in antibacterial hand soap, hand sanitizer and personal care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash that have antimicrobial agents
Why it’s dirty: Endocrine disruption, bacteria resistance, ecotoxicity (pollutant), effects microbiome
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Resorcinol
Where it’s found: Antiseptic and disinfectant found in topical pharmaceutical products and creams, hair dyes
Why it’s dirty: Skin irritant, allergen, effect microbiome, possible endocrine disruptor
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Avobenzone/Octocyrlene/
Where it’s found: Chemical found in sunscreen, lip balms that protect from UV light
Why it’s dirty: Endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, irritation, ecotoxicity (pollutant)
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Toluene/Formaldehyde/Dibutyl Phthalate/Acrylates
Where it’s found: Found in nail polish, glues, inks and stain removers
Why it’s dirty: Organ system toxicity, cellular and neurological damage, immunotoxicity and reproductive toxicity, skin and respiratory irritant, known allergen
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Parabens (ingredients ending in -paraben)
Where it’s found: Found in personal care products
Why it’s dirty: Known endocrine disruptor, carcinogenic, developmental and reproductive toxicity, known allergen
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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate, 1,4-Dioxane, Ethylene Oxide, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
Where it’s found: Foaming agent, found in personal care products such as shampoo, body wash, bubble bath, toothpaste
Why it’s dirty: Skin irritation, carcinogenic
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Mineral Oil/Petroletum/Petroleum
Where it’s found: Personal care products, used to create fragrances, helps lock in moisture, and as a moisturizing agent
Why it’s dirty: sourced and refined from fossil fuels. Linked to skin irritation, immunotoxicity and allergies
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Talc
Where it’s found: Baby powders, makeup, personal care products
Why it’s dirty: Asbestos can be found naturally occuring in talc which has been shown to be carcinogenic and linked to organ system toxicity
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Hydroquinone
Where it’s found: Found in skin lighteners, facial cleansers and other personal care products
Why it’s dirty: One of the most toxic chemicals, organ system toxicity, respiratory tract infections, carcinogenic
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Lead and Other Heavy Metals
Where it’s found: Lip products, foundations, eye shadows and other cosmetics
Why it’s dirty: Heavy metals have been linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity, carcinogenic, environmental hazard
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BHA/BHT
Where it’s found: Used as a preservative in personal care products such as makeup. Also found in some diaper rash creams
Why it’s dirty: Possible carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, organ toxicity, immunotoxicity, allergen. Banned in the European Union.
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Phnylenediamine
Where it’s found: Personal care products such as shampoo and hair dyes
Why it’s Dirty: Skin toxicity and allergen
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Ammonia
Where it’s found: Household Cleaning products
Why it’s dirty: Skin, eye, lung irritant, immunotoxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity
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Ethanolamine (DEA/TEA/MEA)
Where it’s found: Personal care products such as shaving cream, lotions, pharmaceuticals, foundations, makeup and household cleaners
Why it’s dirty: Restricted in cosmetics in the European Union. Carcinogenic, organ toxicity, environmental hazard
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Methylisothiazolinone/
Where it’s found: Restricted in cosmetics in the European Union and Canada for being unsafe. Skin toxicant, neurotoxin and allergen
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Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
Where it’s found: Foundation, pressed powder, eye shadows, other makeup, non-stick pots and pans
Why it’s dirty: Endocrine disruption and organ toxicity. Same chemical used to make Teflon
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Flame retardants
Where it’s found: Mattresses, childrens pajamas, furniture
Why it’s dirty: Endocrine and thyroid disruption, reproductive toxicity, carcinogenic, adverse effects on fetal and child development