Want to learn more about the Toxic Chemicals found in skin & baby care products?
Here is the Toxic Ten Guide compiled by Dr. Kim Warren-Rhodes for her family & friends. In the left-hand column in bold are some of the toxic 10 chemicals found commonly as ingredients or by-products in many skin and baby care products. The middle column indicates the main health and safety risks known or suspected to be associated with these chemicals. The far right column shows a short list of some of the products, such as shampoos or baby lotions, these chemicals are often found in, either as ingredients or as by-products.
If the chemical name has an * by it, it means that the chemical does not have to be listed on the label as an ingredient, but if you use those type of products or you see the chemical name in the red middle column (e.g., 1-4 dioxane), then the toxic 10 chemical is likely in there. See the examples below for a quick guide.
Example 1: if you use products, such as nail polish, cleaning products or lotions, or those that have the ingredient in the label ‘fragrance,’ they may contain phthalates, which are known as hormone disruptors, meaning that they can interfere with the body’s hormone and reproductive systems. Try to avoid phthalates.
Example 2: If you see polyethylene glycol (PEG) in your product’s ingredient list, the product may contain the chemical 1-4 dioxane, which is a carcinogen (causes cancer), although the 1-4 dioxane does not have to be listed on the label. PEG is a common ingredient found in many shampoos, baby washes, lotions and a host of other products. Try to avoid PEG.
Download the complete Toxic Ten Guide Here
|
Chemicals to Avoid |
What it’s in |
| Parabens: methyl/ethyl/butyl-paraben; hydroxybenzoate/benzoic acid | makeup, deodorants, shampoo, lotions, body scrubs |
| Phthalates & Bisphenol A: known as plasticizers; DBP, DEHP, DEP; 1-2 benzenedicarboxylate | Nail polish, fragrance, lotions, plastic bottles, baby bottles & toys, plastics (no. 2, 3, 6,7) |
| Synthetic Fragrances - often contain phthalates not listed on label | Shampoo, conditioner, cleaning products, lotions, deodorants, makeup, perfumes |
| Chemical sunscreens: oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA, octyl methoxycinnamate | Sunscreens; switch to zinc oxide or titanium dioxide |
| Triclosan | Anti-bacterial or anti-microbial soaps, kitchen sponges, toothpaste, dishwashing liquids |
| 1-4 Dioxane* – toxic by-product not on label | shampoo, body lotions, baby bath products |
| Formaldehyde & releasers : formic/methyl aldehyde; DMDM hydantoin; behentimonium chloride; quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea; methylisothiazolinone | Nail polish, shampoo, bubble bath, baby lotions, shampoo, antiperspirant, makeup, hair dyes & treatments (Brazilian blowout) |
| Sulfates (SLES/SLS): sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate; ammonium laureth sulfate | Shampoo, lotions, toothpaste, bubble baths, facial cleansers, baby & body washes, soaps |
| PG, PEG, PPG: propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol | Shampoo, makeup, baby washes, lotions, body washes, soaps |
| DEA, TEA, MEA, ETA: di/tri/mono- ethanolamine (ETA); cocamide DEA, lauramide DEA | Skin cleansers, shampoos, body lotions & washes, hair coloring, detergents |
Stay tuned for future blogs, where Kim will share more details and explanations for those of you out there interested in learning more about the toxic 10 chemicals in our skin and baby care!
Toxic 10 printable shopping guide
Want a quick and easy shopping guide to the toxic ten chemicals? Download it here and print it out!
Take it to the grocery store, the salon, send one to your friends and family. Spread the word!
