15 bad ingredients for your skin part 2

This is part two of my 15 bad ingredients for your skin for anyone interested in what goes into the products that you use on your skin. There's a growing demand for toxin-free and more natural beauty products. It's hard to know what's what when it comes to which ingredients are harmful.

I've put together a list of some of the top toxins to look for in your beauty products listed in CFIA, FDA and ECHA guides (Canada, United States and Europe). I put links at the bottom of the article.

The list of the remaining eight isn't comprehensive but includes some alternate names you might see listed on your bottles.

Important to note: Look for the acronyms or alternate names on labels when shopping for beauty products because companies often use alternate names for known toxic chemicals.

8 of the 15 bad ingredients for your skin

1. Parabens

Butyl, propyl and ethyl parabens have been linked to hormone disruption. They are preservatives found in various cosmetics and are probably the most well-known ingredient to avoid based on a previous research paper that appeared to find traces of parabens in breast cancer tissue samples. Since then, formulas have changed to lower the amount used in cosmetics, but they may irritate people with sensitive skin.

On labels you want to look for:

Propylparaben
Methylparaben
Ethylparaben
Isopropylparaben
Butylparaben
Isobutylparaben

2. Talc

While talcum powder (talc) is often used as a smoothing agent in mineral makeup and is generally safe, it can potentially be contaminated with asbestos. Talc and asbestos can naturally form so closely together that mining practices cannot separate them properly. Asbestos is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), and talc contaminated with it may be an issue for some.

On labels you want to look for:

COSMETIC TALC
FRENCH CHALK
MAGNESIUM SILICATE TALC
TALC
TALC (MG3H2(SIO3)4)

3. Siloxanes

Also known as cyclical silicones, these compounds are found in various cosmetic and skincare products. This type of silicone is harmful to the environment and has been linked to endocrine disruption. The exception is Dimethicone which is considered safer.

On labels, you want to look for suffixes on ingredient names like:

Siloxane, e.g. cyclotetrasiloxane
Ethicone, e.g. methicone
Silane, e.g. triethyoxycaprylylsilane

4. MEA, DEA and TEA

These are compounds (emulsifiers) found in foundation, mascara, and skincare products. They are known allergens to those with sensitive skin.

On labels you want to look for:

Monoethanolamine (MEA)
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Triethanolamine (TEA)

5. Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is a potential endocrine disruptor. It can be found in many skincare products that contain sunscreen, including lotions, lip balms, cleansers, fragrances, and even baby products.

On labels you want to look for:

(2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYPHENYL)PHENYL- METHANONE
(2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYPHENYL)PHENYLMETHANONE
2-BENZOYL-5-METHOXYPHENOL
2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYBENZOPHENONE
4-08-00-02442 (BEILSTEIN HANDBOOK REFERENCE)
4-METHOXY-2-HYDROXYBENZOPHENONE
ADVASTAB 45
AI3-23644
ANUVEX
B3
BENZOPHENONE, 2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXY-
BENZOPHENONE-3
BRN 1913145
CCRIS 1078
CHIMASSORB 90
CYASORB UV 9
CYASORB UV 9 LIGHT ABSORBER
DURASCREEN
EINECS 205-031-5
ESCALOL 567
HMBP
HSDB 4503
METHANONE, (2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYPHENYL)PHENYL-
METHANONE, (2HYDROXY4METHOXYPHENYL)PHENYL
MOB
MOD
NCI-C60957
NSC 7778
NSC-7778
ONGROSTAB HMB
OXIBENZONA
OXIBENZONUM
OXYBENZON
OXYBENZONE
OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
OXYBENZONE 6
OXYBENZONUM
SOLAQUIN
SPECTRA-SORB UV 9
SUNSCREEN UV-15
SYNTASE 62
UF 3
USAF CY-9
UV 9
UVINUL 9
UVINUL M40
UVISTAT 24

6. Octinoxate

Octinoxate is a common sunscreen ingredient found to be a hormone disruptor in some. It may also be an allergen to people with sensitive skin.

On labels, you want to look for

2-ETHYLHEXYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATE
2-ETHYLHEXYL 4-METHOXYCINNAMATE
2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER 2-PROPENOIC ACID, 3-(4-METHOXYPHENY L)-
2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER 3-(4-METHOXYPHENYL)-2-PROPENOIC ACID
2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER P-METHOXYCINNAMIC ACID
2-ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE
2-ETHYLHEXYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATE
2-ETHYLHEXYL-4-METHOXYCINNAMATE
2-PROPENOIC ACID, 3-(4-METHOXYPHENY L)-, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER
2-PROPENOIC ACID, 3-(4-METHOXYPHENYL)-, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER
2-PROPENOIC ACID, 3-(4-METHOXYPHENYL)-, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER;2-ETHYLHEXYL-P-METHOXYCINNAMATE
2PROPENOIC ACID, 3(4METHOXYPHENYL), 2ETHYLHEXYL ESTER
3-(4-METHOXYPHENY L)- 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER 2-PROPENOIC ACID
3-(4-METHOXYPHENYL)-2-PROPENOIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER
AI3-05710
CCRIS 6200
EINECS 226-775-7
ESCALOL
ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE
NEO HELIOPAN
NSC 26466
OCTINOXATE
OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE
OMC
P-METHOXYCINNAMIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER
PARSOL MOX

7. Homosalate

Homosalate is another chemical commonly used in sunscreens as a UV absorber. Like the others on this list, it can be a hormone disruptor. Sunlight breaks down the chemical into harmful byproducts.

On your labels, you want to look for: