Your Guide to Common Toxins in Personal Care Products
Contains a cheat sheet, tips for making healthier swaps, and additional resources.
low-tox skincare and makeup products
Why These Ingredients Matter
Every day, we use shampoos, deodorants, lotions, and cosmetics without realizing they may contain hidden toxins. Many ingredients in personal care products are linked to hormone disruption, skin irritation, allergies, reproductive harm, and even cancer.
This guide highlights the most common toxins in personal care products so you can shop smarter, avoid harmful chemicals, and choose safer low-tox alternatives.
Ingredient List
Preservatives & Additives to Avoid
Parabens – Preservatives in lotions, deodorants, shampoos; linked to hormone disruption.
Phenoxyethanol – Common preservative; can irritate skin and affect the nervous system in infants.
Formaldehyde & Releasers (DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium-15) – Known carcinogen, strong allergen.
Methylisothiazolinone (MI) & Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) – Preservatives in wipes, shampoos, lotions; skin sensitizers, possible neurotoxicity.
BHA & BHT – Synthetic antioxidants used in lipsticks, moisturizers; possible carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.
Fragrance & Flavor Chemicals
Fragrance / Parfum – Catch-all for undisclosed chemicals; linked to allergies, endocrine disruption.
Phthalates – Often hidden in “fragrance”; reproductive harm and hormone disruption.
Flavors – Found in lip balms and oral care; can contain hidden chemicals.
Foaming Agents & Surfactants
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – Harsh foaming agent; skin and eye irritant.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) & Laureth – Milder but often contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane.
PEGs (Polyethylene Glycol Compounds) & Polysorbates – Thickeners that may carry carcinogenic contaminants.
Ceteareth & Steareth – Cream thickeners; may contain 1,4-dioxane.
Petroleum-Based Ingredients
Mineral Oil & Petrolatum – Cheap moisturizers that may contain PAHs (carcinogens).
Butane / Isobutane – Aerosol propellants; skin/lung irritants.
Toluene – Nail polish solvent; toxic to reproductive health.
Sunscreen Chemicals
Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, Octocrylene – Common chemical sunscreens; linked to hormone disruption and coral reef harm.
Retinyl Palmitate –A synthetic form of vitamin A that may increase the risk of skin tumors and liver damage. The bioavailable form of vitamin A is retinol (without the y).
Titanium Dioxide (in loose powders) – Possible carcinogen when inhaled.
Other Problematic Ingredients
Chlorphenesin – Preservative; skin and eye irritant.
Disodium EDTA – Enhances absorption of other chemicals, increasing toxic load.
Aluminum – Common in antiperspirants; linked to breast cancer concerns.
PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”) – Waterproof makeup and floss; linked to hormone disruption, immune harm, and cancer.
Quick Cheat Sheet Table
screenshot this table for your next shopping trip
Aluminum Methylisothiazolinone
Retinyl Palmitate BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Artificial Dyes Petrolatum
Mineral Oil Toluene
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Butane / Isobutane
Benzisothiazolinone Phenoxyethanol
Parabens Triethanolamine (TEA)
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Ceteareth
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) Phthalates
PEGs (Polyethylene Glycol Compounds) Polysorbates
Steareth PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)
Triclosan Oxybenzone
Chlorphenesin Avobenzone
Titanium Dioxide* (*loose powders) Octocrylene
Disodium EDTA Fragrance / Parfum
Flavors Laureth
Imidazolidinyl Urea DMDM Hydantoin
Diazolidinyl Urea Quaternium-15
Safer Swaps
Look for products labeled as “fragrance-free” or scented with 100% pure essential oils.
Choose mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, non-nano).
Use organic plant oils (coconut, jojoba, shea butter) instead of petroleum.
Stick to short ingredient lists with transparent labeling.
Resources
EWG Skin Deep Database - See what toxins are in the EWG database and what products are rated.
EWG Ingredient Analyzer - Looking for a product and can’t find it in Skin Deep? Use EWG’s Build Your Own Report tool to get an approximate score for that product.
Made Safe Certified - This is the only human health and ecosystem-focused product certification program.
Connect With Me
For consistent, safer product swaps, tips on low-tox living, and daily inspiration, visit my Low-Tox Marketplace and connect with me on Instagram (@featherandnestllc). Together, we can make your home and lifestyle healthier, simpler, and less toxic.
You can also check out my other blogs, where I share ongoing research, resources, and guidance to help you stay informed on the latest in healthy, low-tox living.