Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.
How to find natural cosmetics
What we put on our skin gets absorbed into our body, thus it becomes important to be mindful of what beauty products we use. This includes for example shampoos, deodorants, make-up, creams, lotions. There are multiple ways these substances can have an impact. For example, they can disrupt the endocrine balance, put extra stress on the liver and kidneys to detoxify, or even affect the gut microbiome which is linked to mental health.
Therefore, on this page you find a compilation of unfriendly cosmetics ingredients. This list is of course not exhaustive because there are thousands of substances out there. To find a natural cosmetic you can check the composition on its label and check it does not contain the most common unfriendly ingredients you see in the sections below. It is also good to keep in mind that the absence of all the mentioned ingredients does not guarantee the cosmetic is natural.
Common substances in cosmetics
Here is a list of likely harmful substances that we can find in cosmetics.
Alkylphenols (nonylphenol, octylphenol, hectaphenol) – surfactants and emulsifiers; endocrine-disrupting, bioaccumulative, and potentially toxic to the environment.
Aluminium compounds (e.g. aluminium chlorohydrate, aluminium zirconium) – common in antiperspirants; linked to potential neurotoxicity.
Benzophenones (BP-3, BP-1, etc.) – UV filters; linked to hormone disruption.
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) & BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) – preservatives, potential endocrine disruptors.
Carbon black – pigment in mascaras, eyeliners, and lipsticks; possible carcinogen.
Ceteareth-20 – emulsifier; may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane.
Chlorine & chlorinated compounds – sometimes in skin-lightening products; contribute to oxidative stress.
Chlorphenesin – preservative; can cause muscle relaxation and nervous system effects.
Coal tar & coal tar dyes – found in hair dyes and some shampoos; possible carcinogen.
DEA/MEA/TEA (diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine) – emulsifiers, foaming agents; may form carcinogenic nitrosamines.
EDTA (disodium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA) – chelating agent in shampoos/lotions; may disrupt mineral balance.
Formaldehyde & formaldehyde-releasing agents (DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, methylene glycol) – preservatives, potential carcinogen.
Hydrogenated cottonseed oil – emollient; may contain arsenic residues.
Hydroquinone – used in skin lightening products; linked to toxicity and banned/restricted in many regions.
Homosalate – UV filter in sunscreens; potential hormone disruptor.
Isopropyl alcohol & ethanol (in high concentrations) – common in toners and hand sanitizers; strip natural oils and disrupt the skin barrier.
Lanolin (if not purified) – can contain pesticide residues from wool.
Lead acetate – found in some hair dyes; heavy metal toxicity concerns.
Nanoparticles (e.g. nano titanium dioxide, nano zinc oxide) – used in sunscreens and creams; concerns about oxidative stress and bioaccumulation.
Nonoxynols – surfactants/emulsifiers; possible 1,4-dioxane or ethylene oxide contamination.
Oxybenzone & Octinoxate – common sunscreen filters; associated with hormone disruption and environmental harm (coral reefs).
Padimate O – UV filter; may form harmful nitrosamines.
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) – older sunscreen agent; allergenic and largely phased out.
Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, etc.) – preservatives, linked to hormone disruption.
PFAS (“forever chemicals” like PTFE, perfluorooctanoic acid) – used for waterproofing in cosmetics; persistent and toxic in the body and environment.
Petrolatum & mineral oils – sometimes contaminated with carcinogenic by-products.
Phenoxyethanol – widely used preservative; can irritate skin and affect the nervous system in high doses.
Phthalates (e.g. DEP, DBP, DEHP) – used in fragrances, plastics; may affect hormones and fertility.
Polyacrylamide – thickener; may release acrylamide (a neurotoxin and possible carcinogen).
Polyacrylamide & acrylates – found in lotions and hair products; can release acrylamide (a neurotoxin and potential carcinogen).
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) – thickeners and solvents; may contain harmful impurities.
PTFE (Teflon) – used for texture/smooth feel; may be contaminated with PFOA (“forever chemical”).
Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats: benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride) – used as preservatives/antistatics; can irritate skin and affect the microbiome.
Resorcinol – found in hair dyes; may disrupt thyroid function.
Silica (especially nanosized, crystalline forms) – used in powders; inhalation risk, possible carcinogen.
Siloxanes (e.g. cyclopentasiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxane) – used for smooth texture in creams and hair products; linked to hormonal effects.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – foaming agents in shampoos, soaps; can irritate skin.
Synthetic colors (FD&C, D&C dyes) – artificial colorants, some linked to skin irritation and possible toxicity.
Synthetic fragrances (“parfum”) – often mixtures of undisclosed chemicals, can trigger allergies and contain phthalates.
Synthetic musks (e.g. galaxolide, tonalide) – fragrance ingredients; bioaccumulative and potentially hormone-disrupting.
Synthetic polymers (nylon, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene microbeads) – added for texture; environmental toxins and unnecessary chemical load on skin.
Talc (when not asbestos-free) – used in powders; concerns about contamination with asbestos.
Toluene – found in nail polish; can affect respiratory and nervous systems.
Triclosan – antimicrobial in soaps, toothpaste, deodorants; may disrupt hormones.
Triphenyl phosphate (TPP, TPHP) – plasticizer and flame retardant; used in nail polish and hair products; potential endocrine disruptor and developmental toxin.
o-, m-, p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) – common in permanent hair dyes; allergenic and possibly toxic.
Sources
skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/toxic-chemicals-in-cosmetics
britishskinfoundation.org.uk/toxic-chemicals-and-beauty-products-what-should-be-avoided-and-why
Alnuqaydan A. M. (2024). The dark side of beauty: an in-depth analysis of the health hazards and toxicological impact of synthetic cosmetics and personal care products. Frontiers in public health, 12, 1439027. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1439027
Marco Caspani
Last update: 02/10/2025
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