Navigating cosmetics can be overwhelming, especially because the more you look, the more aware you become of the nasties lurking inside. So while you probably know to avoid red flags such as parabens, sodium laureate sulphate, fragrances and petroleum-based products, there are some more discrete ingredients that may be sneaking by you. Here are some of the other creepers you definitely don’t want in your cosmetics.
BHA and BHT: these are most commonly found in lipsticks, moisturisers and complexion products. They are common causes of allergic reactions and are also endocrine disruptors. Long-term exposure has caused organ toxicity in lab animals (gah), suggesting humans may have similar reactions.
DEA-related ingredients: you’ll find these in sunscreen, soaps and shampoos. Prolonged exposure has been proven to have seriously negative impacts on human health, and even short term exposure can cause irritation.
Coal tar dyes: they are most commonly found in hair dyes. You can identify them by ‘C.I ’ followed by 5 digits. These dyes have been linked to cancer in lab tests and are just awful for marine life.
Siloxanes: found in moisturises and deodorants, they disrupt hormones and may impair fertility, in addition to being carcinogen and having a negative impact on the nervous system. They also build up in waterways, impacting marine life.
Triclosan: you will probably find this one in deodorant, hand sanitiser or cleansers. It can be super irritating and may contribute to the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Also, triclosan has long term negative impacts on our fish friends.
PEG compounds: look out for them in moisturising products. Some have been classified as carcinogens, others are suspected carcinogens. Furthermore, they take ages to biodegrade, and wreak havoc on marine life in the meantime.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: used in heaps of cosmetics, these preservatives slowly release formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. It can also trigger allergies and irritations.
Dibutyl phthalate: you’ll get this in a lot of nail polishes. It is a suspected endocrine disruptor, and when combined with other ingredients, has been hypothesised to cause genetic mutations.
We get it, remembering this list and scanning every item for their presence may be a bit too much to ask. So get help from a simple ingredient scanner like the Yuka app, or the CosDNA website. Easy