THE AVOID LIST

1,4 Dioxane – a byproduct from manufacturing (usually in trace amounts and never intentionally added).

2-Butoxyethanol – used to dissolve dyes and may cause red blood cell damage.

2-Methoxyethanol (Methyl Cellosolve) – used in enamels like nail polish as a solvent.

Amodimethicone (Silicone – Plastic)

Aluminum Chlorohydrate – can cause burning or itchy sensation and respiratory issues if inhaled.

Artificial Dyes – appears as Red, Blue, or Yellow with a number or the word Lake, produced from aluminum or coal tar or petroleum.

Artificial Fragrances – from petroleum/petrochemicals (endocrine disruptors).

Avobenzone – a chemical sunscreen that turns toxic when exposed to pool water (chlorine) and may cause allergic reactions and is harmful to aquatic life.

Benzalkonium Chloride – found in some mascaras as a preservative that causes allergens, and severe skin, eye, and respiratory issues.

Benzophenone – sunscreen that is a carcinogen and endocrine disruptor.

Bismuth Oxychloride – found in powder foundations to give a silky feel but it may cause allergic reactions and itchiness.

Bisphenol A (BPA) – often found in lipsticks, face, and eye makeup and is a form of plastic from petroleum/petrochemicals (endocrine disruptors).

Butoxyethanol (2-Butoxyethanol) – used to dissolve dyes and may cause red blood cell damage.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) – synthetic used as a preservative in lipstick and moisturizer that can cause cancer and allergic reactions.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) – Toluene-based used as a preservative that can cause cancer and allergic reactions.

Butylparaben – a paraben used as a preservative that is a major endocrine disruptor.

Butylphenyl Methylpropional – fragrance from petroleum/petrochemicals (endocrine disruptors).

Caprylyl Glycol – often synthetic from petrochemicals, contact company to find out if it is from vegetables.

Carbon Black – a potential carcinogen found in eyeliners and mascaras.

Chemical Sunscreens/Chemical UV Blocks -may cause allergic reactions and is harmful to aquatic life.

Coal Tar – used to make synthetic dye and may cause cancer.

Cyclical Silicones (Silicone – Plastic)

Cyclomethicone (Silicone – Plastic)

Cyclopentasiloxane (cyclomethicone) – (Silicone – Plastic)

Cyclotetrasiloxane – Moisturizing agent – endocrine disruptor.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) – a Phthalate that may cause cancer or birth defects and is found in eyelash glue.

Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) – found in nail polishes, it is an endocrine distruptor that causes infertility and reproductive issues.

Dichloroethane – found in concealers and lipsticks that may cause cancer and is an endocrine disruptor.

Dimethicone (Silicone – Plastic) – for smooth look.

Dimethiconol (Silicone – Plastic) – for smooth look.

Dipropylene Glycol – causes issues with respiratory system if inhaled. It is often synthetic from petrochemicals, contact company to find out if it is from vegetables.

Dyes (Artificial) – appears on label as Red, Blue, or Yellow with a number or the word Lake, produced from aluminum or coal tar or petroleum.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) – preservative, appearance enhancer, and keeps mineral from binding together – may cause skin issues.

Ethanolamines – cleansing and surficant to remove dirt and oil on skin. It may cause skin irritation or eye damage.

Formaldehyde – a preservative that causes skin irritation and allergic reactions such as rash with blisters.

Fragrance – from petrochemicals (endocrine disruptors).

Glycols – often synthetic from petrochemicals, contact company to find out if it is from vegetables.

Heavy Metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, zinc, chromium and iron) – found in many lipsticks and face makeups and may cause cancer, birth defects, lung and kidney damage.

Hydroquinone – helps to even skin pigment and linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity.

Isobutylparaben – a paraben used as a preservative that is a major endocrine disruptor.

Isodecyl Neopentanoate – a synthetic emollient for a silky smooth finish

Lead – a heavy metal found in many lipsticks and face makeups and may cause cancer, birth defects, lung and kidney damage.

Mercury – a heavy metal found in many lipsticks and face makeups and may cause cancer, birth defects, lung and kidney damage.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MIT) – a preservative that is synthetic and an endocrine disruptor and dermal irritant.

Methylisothiazolinone (CMIT) – a preservative that is synthetic and an endocrine disruptor and dermal irritant.

Methylparaben – a paraben used as a preservative that is a major endocrine disruptor.

Mineral Oil – a synthetic oil derived from petrolatum (petroleum jelly).

Monoethanolamine (MEA) – an ethanolamine – cleansing and surficant to remove dirt and oil on skin. It may cause skin irritation or eye damage.

Nanoparticles (nanotechnology or microtechnology) – makes makeup last a very long time and is in just about every type of personal care product on the market and may cause liver damage and weaken the immune system.

Nanoparticle or Microtechnology Titanium Dioxide – Note: non-nano is safe as it is used as a natural SPF or to make product opaque.

Nanoparticle or Microtechnology Zinc – Note: non-nano is safe as it is used as a natural SPF or to make product opaque.

Nitromusk – a synthetic fragrance from petrochemicals that causes endocrine disruption.

Octinoxate – a chemical sunscreen that is an endocrine disruptor that may cause reproductive toxicity and is harmful to aquatic life

Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate – a synthetic emollient for a silky smooth finish

Oxybenzone – a chemical sunscreen that may cause allergic reactions and is harmful to aquatic life

Parabens – used as a preservative that is a major endocrine disruptor.

Paraffin – a petroleum byproduct used most often in hot wax treatments. It clogs pores and is synthetic.

Parfum – from petrochemicals (endocrine disruptors)

Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly) – used as a moisturizer and lubricant – may cause skin irritation, allergies, and is linked to cancer.

Petrochemicals (Plastics) – derived from petroleum and linked to many conditions and diseases. A synthetic that is an endocrine disruptor.

Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS or PFC) – synthetic plastics used to smooth the skin making it waterproof and long lasting

Perfume – from petrochemicals (endocrine disruptors)

Phenacetin – a synthetic fragrance compound linked to cancer.

Phenyl Trimethicone (Silicone – Plastic)

Phenoxyethanol – a glycol that acts as a preservative and fragrance (has a rose-like aroma)

Phthalates (DEP) – helps aromas linger and can be labeled as “fragrance” – an endocrine disruptor that may cause cancer or birth defects.

Polyacrylamide – a synthetic polymer (plastic) to bind ingredients an acts as a lubricant.

Polybutene – a synthetic polymer (plastic) for smoothing.

Polycyclic Musks – a synthetic musk fragrance derived from petroleum that is an endocrine disruptor.

Polysilicone-11 – a synthetic silicone (plastic) that helps form a film over your face.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG Compounds) – synthetic polymer (plastic) derived from petrochemicals used as a softener and thickener.

Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS or PFC) – synthetic plastics used to smooth the skin making it waterproof and long lasting

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) – also known as dimethicone, is a synthetic polymer (plastic) silicone used as a smoothing agent.

Polymethylsiloxane (PMS) – a nanoparticle silica blend used to smooth skin.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (Teflon) – a synthetic polymer (plastic) known as Teflon, like in frying pans to make them non-stick.

Propanol – a synthetic pH adjuster

Propylene Carbonate (PC) – a propene glycol derivative use as a synthetic solvent.

Propylparaben – a paraben used as a preservative that is a major endocrine disruptor and causes allergies and reproductive issues.

Resorcinol – common in hair dye that may cause allergies and is an endocrine disruptor, particularly for the thyroid.

Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) – should not be used on skin when in the sun. May cause skin tumors and lesions.

Silicones – plastics derived from petrochemicals.

Sulfates – chemical cleansing agents that foam up and may cause skin, eye, and lung irritation.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – chemical cleansing agent that may cause skin, eye, and lung irritation.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – chemical cleansing agent that may cause skin, eye, and lung irritation.

Synthetic Dye – appears as Red, Blue, or Yellow with a number or the word Lake, produced from aluminum or coal tar or petroleum.

Synthetic Fragrances – from petrochemicals (endocrine disruptors).

Synthetic Glycols – from petrochemicals (endocrine disruptors).

Talc – for opaque look – “cosmetic-grade” that is free of asbestos is still toxic and a carcinogen.

Teflon (PTFE) Perfluoralkyl / Polytetrafluoroethylene – a synthetic polymer (plastic) known as Teflon, like in frying pans to make them non-stick.

Toluene – used as a preservative that may cause cancer and allergic reactions.

Triethanolamine (TEA) – a surfacant and pH adjuster that may cause allergies or skin irritation. Often hidden and listed as “parfum”.

Triclosan – a preservative that may cause skin irritation and allergies.

Triclocarban – a preservative that may cause skin irritation and allergies.

List ©2024 by Dr. Jen O’Sullivan