What it's used for: a by product of ethoxylation that dilutes the harshness of other chemicals.

Concerns: organ system toxicity, cancer, irritant

Found In: products that make suds: shampoos, soaps, bubble bath, hair relaxers, etc.

What it's used for: a heavy metal used to block sweat glands. An antiperspirant agent

Concerns: organ system toxicity, neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, irritant

Found In: antiperspirants

What it's used for: a preservative. A hormone disruptor that acts like the hormone estrogen.

Concerns: immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity,  carcinogen. reproductive toxicity

Found In: cosmetics, bath & body products, skin-care products

What it's used for: an ether alcohol used to decrease the viscosity of a product.  Also used as a solvent and additive to fragrance. Some of the aliases include,  2-BUTOXY- ETHANOL; 2-BUTOXYETHANOL; BUTYL GLYCOL; ETHANOL, 2-BUTOXY-; ETHANOL

Concerns: organ system toxicity, cancer, irritant

Found In: cosmetics, hair products, bath & body products

What it's used for: loosening curl pattern

Concerns: caustic (burns), irritant: eyes, skin, lungs, organ system toxicity

Found In: hair straighteners, hair relaxers

What it's used for: an active ingredient in OTC drug products. Biocides used to kill lice and gets rid of dandruff

Concerns: allergen, immunotoxicity, carcinogen, organ system toxicity

Found In: hair products-hair dyes, shampoos, scalp treatments, lotions, soaps, cosmetics

What it's used for: a.k.a. polymethylsiloxane, is an anti-foaming agent, skin conditioner, skin lubricant

Concerns: organ system toxicity, irritant, allergens

Found In: bath & body products, skin-care products

What it's used for: DEA: an emulsifier |  TEA: fragrance, Ph adjuster, emulsifier  MEA

Concerns: carcinogen, organ system toxicity

Found In:  bath & body products, hair dyes, cosmetics

What it's used for: EDTA is a chelating agent used  to bind and decrease the amount of metal ions in products

Concerns: irritation, organ system toxicity,

Found In: bath & body products, cosmetics, hair dyes, skin care products

What it's used for: a preservative

Concerns: immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, skin irritant, carcinogen. reproductive toxicity

Found In: bath & body products, eyelash glue, nail polishes

** Other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: DMDM Hydantion, IMIDAZolidinyl urea, Diazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, 1-4 Dioxane, methenamine

What it's used for: giving the product it's distinct smell

Concerns: immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, skin irritant, carcinogen. reproductive toxicity

Found In: bath & body products, eyelash glue, nail polishes

What it's used for: heavy metals include, MERCURY (preservative antimicrobial), LEAD, IRON, ARSENIC, CHROMIUM.

Concerns: organ system toxicity, reproductive toxicity, irritant, carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, environmental hazzard

Found In: eye drops, cosmetics, whitening toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturizers

What it's used for: skin lightner, bleaching the skin that decreases melanin production in the skin cells

Concerns: organ toxicity, skin irritant, carcinogen

Found In:  some cosmetics, skin lightning creams

What it's used for: preservative

Concerns: Organ System toxicity, neurotoxicity,  irritant, allergen

Found In: cosmetics, hair products, hair color, body products, sunscreen

What it's used for: skin moisturizer

Concerns: Allergen, carcinogen, organ toxicity

Found In:  bath & body products, skin-care products, cosmetics

What it's used for: preservatives, UV filters, stabilizer

Concerns: reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity

Found In: deodorants, toothpastes, shampoos, lotions, foundation, anti-aging creams, and nail polish

What it's used for: a preservative and a hormone disruptor that mimics the hormone estrogen

Concerns: immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, skin irritant, carcinogen. reproductive toxicity

Found In: bath & body products, oral care products, personal care products, cosmetics

What it's used for: a preservative, as a fragrance

Concerns: Immunoxoxicity/irritant: eyes, skin, lungs

Found In: cosmetics: lipsticks,

What it's used for: a plasticizer used to moisturize and soften the skin, blend ingredients and create flexibility

Concerns: carcinogen, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruptor, developmental toxicity,

Found In:  nail polish (with dibutyl phathalate), personal care products, fragrances, hair spray

What it's used for:  are ethoxylated ingredients ( polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80 etc. ) and are used as emulsifier, denaturant, fragrance ingredient, surfactant

Concerns: organ system toxicity, carcinogen

Found In: bath & body products, hair products, skin-care products

What it's used for: is an alcohol/antiseptic. Used to decrease viscocity anti-forming, solvent, fragrance ingredient,

Concerns: Organ system toxicity, Irritant, endocrine disruptor, carcinogen

Found In: bath & body products, hair products, skin-care products, oral care, deodorant, nail polish, makeup

What it's used for: a.k.a. anti-freeze, changes the structure of the skin to allow ingredients to penetrate the skin.

Concerns: neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity

Found In: cosmetics, food, moisturizers

What it's used for:  denaturant, hair colorant, fragrance ingredient, acne treatment

Concerns: Organ System toxicity, reproductive toxicity, allergen, endocrine disruptor

Found In: hair products

What it's used for:  a combination of palmitic acid and vitamin used as a skin conditioner

Concerns: developmental toxicity, carcinogen

Found In: bath & body products, hair products, skin-care products

What it's used for:  synthetic skin conditioner, antistatic, cleanser

Concerns: enhanced skin absorption, contains carcinogenic nitrosamines

Found In: cleansers, shampoos

What it's used for: a cleansing agent/surfactant, denaturant that creates a lather to increase effectiveness of cleansers

Concerns: organ system toxicity, irritant, hormone disruptor

Found In: bath & body products, shampoo, mouth wash, toothpaste

What it's used for: to absorb moisture, smooth or soften products, prevent caking, and make makeup opaque

Concerns: organ system toxicity, carcinogen, irritation

Found In: Baby powder, body and shower products, lotions, feminine hygiene products, eye shadow, foundation, lipstick, deodorants and face masks.

What it's used for:  solvent

Concerns: Organ System toxicity, neurotoxicity, development & reproductive toxicity, irritant

Found In: nail polish, nail treatments, hair dyes

What it's used for:  Preservative: antibacterial agent

Concerns: Irritant, endocrine disruptor, organ toxicity,

Found In: household cleaning products, personal care products: hand sanitizers, antibacterial soaps