WHAT IT IS: a 4-carbon conjugated diene

ITS PURPOSE: a reagent of the production process, it is unlisted on ingredient labels and considered a contaminant

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen
• respiratory toxin
• possible reproductive and developmental toxin

WHAT IT IS: heterocyclic diether, produced by the acid-catalyzed dehydration of diethylene glycol

ITS PURPOSE: a reagent of the production process, it is unlisted on ingredient labels and considered a contaminant

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen
• environmental pollutant

WHAT IT IS: a naturally occurring metallic element

ITS PURPOSE: antiperspirant to block sweat ducts

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• bioaccumulating substance
• carcinogen
• hormone disruptor
• neurotoxin
• skin irritant

WHAT IT IS: an alkanolamine produced by the hydrogenation of 2-aminoisobutyric acid

ITS PURPOSE: pH adjuster, ingredient stabilizer

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• precursor to carcinogens
• skin irritant

WHAT IT IS: produced by the nitration of phenol, or the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene

ITS PURPOSE: colorant

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• environmental concern
• skin, eye irritant
• possible toxin (especially to the kidneys, blood)
• possible immunotoxin

WHAT IT IS: quaternary ammonium cationic salt

ITS PURPOSE: antimicrobial preservative (biocide), surfactant

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• skin, eye, respiratory irritant
• possible immunotoxin
• possible neurotoxin

WHAT IT IS: butyl ether of ethylene glycol

ITS PURPOSE: solvent for product texture (specifically viscosity), fragrance

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen
• reproductive toxin
• skin irritant

WHAT IT IS: a mixture of two isomeric compounds (2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole), resulting from the reaction between 4-methoxyphenol and isobutylene

ITS PURPOSE: synthetic antioxidant, preservative

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen
• hormone disruptor

WHAT IT IS: a lipophilic phenol derivative synthesized by the sulfuric acid catalyzed reaction between 4-methylphenol and isobutylene, or through the hydroxymethylation or aminomethylation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol followed by hydrogenolysis

ITS PURPOSE: synthetic antioxidant, preservative

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• multiorgan toxin
• respiratory irritant

WHAT IT IS: a chiral diol, and an isomer of butanediol

ITS PURPOSE: humectant, solvent for product texture and absorption

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• petroleum derivative (environmental concern)
• skin, eye, respiratory irritant

WHAT IT IS: polyethylene glycol ether of cetearyl alcohol

ITS PURPOSE: penetration enhancer, surfactant, emulsifier

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE:

• contaminated by ethylene oxide and/or 1,4-dioxane (carcinogens)

WHAT ARE THEY: aromatic compounds conjugated with a carbonyl group and/or other electron-releasing substituents

THEIR PURPOSE: sun protection by UV radiation absorbance

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• environmental pollutants (significant links to coral bleaching)
• hormone disruptors

WHAT IT IS: by-product of the production of coal gas from coal, belonging to the drug class of keratoplastics

ITS PURPOSE: anti-dandruff agent, treatment of dermatitis and psoriasis

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• carcinogen
• cause for increased sun sensitivity
• skin irritant

WHAT ARE THEY: demethylated silicones in a ring structure

THEIR PURPOSE: occlusive agents, improvement of product texture

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• environmental pollutants
• hormone disruptors
• reproductive and developmental toxins

WHAT ARE THEY: an amino alcohol resulting from the treatment of ethylene oxide with ammonia

THEIR PURPOSE: pH adjustment, surfactants

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• common allergens
• developmental toxins
• hormone disruptors
• sensitizing agents
• contaminated by ethylene oxide (a carcinogen)
• possible immunotoxins

WHAT IT IS: a cyclic ether classified as the simplest epoxide

ITS PURPOSE: a reagent of the production process, it is unlisted on ingredient labels and considered a contaminant

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen
• immunotoxin
• skin, eye, respiratory irritant
• possible developmental toxin

WHAT IT IS: an aminopolycarboxylic acid synthesized with ethylenediamine, formaldehyde, and sodium cyanide

ITS PURPOSE: reagent in synthetic production processes, chemical stabilizer (especially in products containing metals), binding agent

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• bioaccumulating pollutant in aquatic environments
• eye irritant

WHAT IT IS: a glyceryl ether

ITS PURPOSE: moisturizer (humectant), improves product texture, boosts antimicrobial preservative efficacy

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• environmental toxin, especially to aquatic life
• sensitizing agent
• skin, eye irritant
• trigger for dermatitis

WHAT IT IS: the most simple aldehyde (one carbon with a double bond to an oxygen, and two single bonds to hydrogens) and substances which spontaneously release it

ITS PURPOSE: preservative

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• carcinogen
• developmental toxin
• neurotoxin
• skin, eye, respiratory irritant

WHAT IT IS: benzene ring with two hydroxyl groups bonded in the parapositions

ITS PURPOSE: hyperpigmentation reduction, skin lightening

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen
• skin, eye irritant

WHAT IT IS: a simple, gaseous alkane with a tertiary central carbon; an isomer of butane

ITS PURPOSE: propellant for aerosols

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• skin, eye, respiratory irritant
• contaminated with 1,3-butadiene

WHAT IT IS: the by-product of crude oil refinement, composed mostly of alkanes and cycloalkanes

ITS PURPOSE: occlusive agent

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• petroleum derivative (environmental concern)
• skin irritant

WHAT IT IS: a naturally occurring metallic element

ITS PURPOSE: antifungal and antibacterial preservative

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• environmental toxin
• developmental toxin
• neurotoxin
• skin, eye, respiratory irritant

WHAT IT IS: a glycol ether produced by the reaction between methanol and protonated ethylene oxide

ITS PURPOSE: solvent for product texture (specifically viscosity)

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• cardiovascular toxin
• developmental toxin
• neurotoxin
• skin irritant
• contaminated by ethylene oxide (a carcinogen)

WHAT IT IS: methylated/chlorinated heterocycle of isothiazole

ITS PURPOSE: preservative (biocide), fragrance enhancement

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• sensitizing agent
• skin irritant
• possible neurotoxin

WHAT ARE THEY: class of alkylphenols, characterized by a phenol ring substituted with a 9-carbon chain

THEIR PURPOSE: surfactants

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• environmental toxins, especially to aquatic life
• possible hormone disruptors

WHAT IT IS: an aromatic diamine produced by treating 2-nitrochlorobenzene with ammonia and hydrogenating the product

ITS PURPOSE: colorant

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• extreme environmental toxin, especially to aquatic life
• sensitizing agent
• skin, eye, respiratory irritant
• possible carcinogen
• possible toxin (especially to the kidneys, blood)

WHAT ARE THEY: esters derived from parahydroxybenzoic acid

THEIR PURPOSE: antimicrobial preservatives

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• common allergens
• developmental and reproductive toxins
• hormone disruptors
• immunotoxins
• possible carcinogens

WHAT ARE THEY: organofluorides consisting of only fluorocarbons and a functional group

THEIR PURPOSE: oil, stain, and water repellents

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• carcinogens
• environmental pollutants
• hormone disruptors
• liver toxins

WHAT IT IS: a mixture of many different hydrocarbons, such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatics

ITS PURPOSE: occlusive agent, common base ingredient

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• harm to the environment due to fossil fuel mining and laborious refinement process

WHAT IT IS: a glycol phenol ether and aromatic alcohol, produced by the hydroxyethylation of phenol

ITS PURPOSE: antimicrobial preservative

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• hormone disruptor
• skin irritant

WHAT ARE THEY: esters derived from phthalic anhydride

THEIR PURPOSE: solvents for product texture and consistency, enhancement of fragrance persistence

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• developmental toxins
• hormone disruptors

WHAT ARE THEY: aromatic rings with various substituents, produced by the reaction between toluene and isobutyl bromide in the presence of aluminum chloride

THEIR PURPOSE: synthetic fragrances

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• environmental contaminants
• possible bioaccumulating substances
• possible hormone disruptors

WHAT THEY ARE: polyether compounds of varying molecular weights

THEIR PURPOSE: thickening agents, occlusive agents

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• petroleum derivatives (environmental concern)
• contaminated by ethylene oxide and/or 1,4-dioxane (carcinogens)

WHAT IT IS: class of ethoxylated sorbitan, esterified with fatty acids

ITS PURPOSE: surfactant, emulsifier

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• contaminated by ethylene oxide and/or 1,4-dioxane (carcinogens)

WHAT IT IS: a 3-carbon chiral diol

ITS PURPOSE: absorbance and penetration enhancer

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• skin irritant
• possible hormone disruptor

WHAT IT IS: product of the high temperature reaction between propylene oxide and sulfuric acid/alkali

ITS PURPOSE: humectant, solvent for product texture, preservative

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• petroleum derivative (environmental concern)
• trigger for dermatitis or eczema

WHAT IT IS: phenyl ring substituted with two hydroxyl groups in the meta position, produced from benzene and propylene

ITS PURPOSE: colorant, fragrance

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• hormone disruptor
• immunotoxin
• skin, eye irritant

WHAT IT IS: ester of retinol and palmitic acid

ITS PURPOSE: anti-aging benefits such as collagen production and increased rate of cell turnover

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen when used topically (forms radicals when exposed to sunlight which contribute to formation of lesions and cancerous tumors)
• sensitizing agent

WHAT IT IS: salt produced by the reaction between potassium hydroxide and benzoic acid

ITS PURPOSE: preservative, corrosion inhibitor

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• agent in producing carcinogenic benzene when combined with L-ascorbic acid
• skin, eye irritant
• possible mutagen

WHAT IT IS: anionic molecule consisting of a hydrophobic 12-carbon chain with a hydrophilic carboxylate, containing an amide linkage

ITS PURPOSE: penetration and absorption enhancer, antistatic agent

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• skin, eye, respiratory irritant
• possible carcinogen

WHAT IT IS: product of dodecyl alcohol ethoxylation, esterification and neutralization

ITS PURPOSE: surfactant

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• skin, eye irritant
• contaminated by 1,4-dioxane (carcinogen, pollutant)

WHAT ARE THEY: man-made aromatic or colored compounds

THEIR PURPOSE: longer shelf-life, greater degree of customization, more complexity than natural sources

STUDIES SUGGEST THEY MAY BE:

• common allergens
• hormone disruptors
• neurotoxins
• asthma and migraine triggers
• skin, eye, respiratory irritants
• petroleum derivatives (environmental concern)
• possible carcinogens

WHAT IT IS: a naturally occurring clay mineral

ITS PURPOSE: colorant, improves product texture, moisture and oil absorbent

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen (especially to the lungs and ovaries)
• reproductive toxin
• respiratory irritant

WHAT IT IS: phenyl ring monosubstituted with a methyl group

ITS PURPOSE: solvent

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen (especially to the blood, brain, reproductive organs)
• immunotoxin
• neurotoxin
• severe skin irritant

WHAT IT IS: polymer derived from toluenesulfonamide and formaldehyde

ITS PURPOSE: plasticizer, film former

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• common allergen
• persistent environmental toxin
• sensitizing agent
• possible immunotoxin

WHAT IT IS: a derivative of urea with two chlorinated phenyl rings

ITS PURPOSE: antimicrobial preservative

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• environmental toxin, especially to aquatic life
• hormone disruptor
• agent in enhancing bacterial antibiotic resistance

WHAT IT IS: a chlorinated diphenyl ether

ITS PURPOSE: antimicrobial agent

STUDIES SUGGEST IT MAY BE A:

• carcinogen
• hormone disruptor
• agent in enhancing bacterial antibiotic resistance