Chemicals to Avoid by Product Type
Makeup (Eyes & Face) |
Carbon black, Ethanolamine compounds, BAK, Prime yellow carnauba wax, Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives,Aluminum powder, Retinyl acetate or retinyl palmitate, heavy metals, Titanium dioxide |
Makeup (Lips) |
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), PETROLATUM (petroleum jelly, mineral oil) |
Nail Polish |
Formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, and xylene |
Shampoo |
Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds), Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, COAL TAR, 1,4-DIOXANE |
Sunscreen |
Benzalkonium chloride, Oxybenzone, BENZOPHENONE AND DERIVATIVES, Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Padimate O |
Soap |
triclosan and triclocarban |
Toothpaste |
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Triclosan and Triclocarban, PEGs (polyethylene glycols) and Propylene Glycol, DEA (diethanolamine), Carrageenan |
Moisturizer |
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE |
Fragrance |
BUTOXYETHANOL, Benzophenone, Nitrosamines, Ethanolamine Compounds (MEA, DEA, TEA And Others), |
Deodorant |
Aluminum Compounds, Steareths, Triclosan, Propylene Glycol, TEA and DEA |
Conditioner |
Ethanolamines, Parabens, Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, Formaldehyde releasing preservatives, Sodium Laureth Sulfate |
Sources: ewg.org, safecosmetics.org
The list of potentially harmful chemicals is not intended to be comprehensive. We've included the most common ingredients. See anything we've missed? Let us know at contact@ecocentricmom.com and we'll be sure to add it to the next edition.
Recognized Third Party Certifications
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5 Quick Tips for Cleaner Shopping
Be Prepared. |
Bring along this guide or download an app such as EWG Clean Living or Think Dirty |
Read Labels Carefully. |
But know that not all potentially harmful ingredients are required to be disclosed. |
Shop Small. |
The top 7 cosmetics companies on store shelves regularly use "chemicals of concerns" in products. Find small brands & support them with your loyalty. |
Recognize "Green Washing." |
Claims of "natural" and "nontoxic" are unregulated and must be examined carefully. non-GMO verified, Leaping Bunny (cruelty free), EWG-verified, non-GMO verified, EWG-verified, ECOCERT |
Simplify. |
Gravitate to shorter ingredients lists, use fewer products and consider DIY |
Why should you care?
1 in 8 of the 82,000 ingredients used in cosmetic and personal care products are hazardous industrial chemicals. |
The average American uses nine personal care products – containing 126 chemicals – every day. |
The EU currently bans 1500 cosmetics ingredients - while the US bans fewer than 10. |
Our skin is our largest organ and up to 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies. |
When in doubt, avoid these words:
Fragrance (note: even the word 'Fragrance Free' has no meaning) |
Artificial Color & Flavor |
Any ingredient that ends in 'paraben' |
Anything ingredient that ends in 'phthalate' |
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