An ingredient extracted from insects used to pigment makeup, especially lip color, with red coloring.

Among the eight most common allergens. Can cause allergic reactions and discomfort in some individuals.

Among the eight most common allergens. Can cause allergic reactions and discomfort in some individuals.

Gelatin is often made from animal products.

Extracted from animal tissues such as rooster combs or cow eyes. Used in moisturizers, serums, and injectables to plump and hydrate skin Potential for allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. We use plant-derived Hyaluronic acid instead.

Keratin is used for strengthening hair and nails, and improves skin texture. Keratin is often made from animal hooves, horns, feathers, and wool. We use plant-derived Keratin instead.

Lanolin is extracted from sheep’s wool, and doesn’t involve physical harm to the animal.

Among the eight most common allergens. Can cause allergic reactions and discomfort in some individuals.

In the form of powder, aluminium is usually used in self-care products like deodorants. It can cause irritation to skin, and birth disorders and has been linked to alzheimer’s.

Known carcinogen and can bioaccumulate on the top layers of your skin. Can affect reproductive systems.

Heavy metal that can damage the nervous system and kidneys. Linked to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and other health problems.

Often used in cleaning products as it helps to dissolve soil particles in water, leaving cleaner surfaces. However, there are significant concerns around its use in the home - not only can ammonia be irritating to the eyes and skin, it can also be severely irritating to the respiratory tract if inhaled.

A disinfectant used as a preservative and surfactant associated with severe skin, eye and respiratory irritation and allergies.

An artificial preservative that can become carcinogenic when mixed with Vitamin C.

A possible human carcinogen and hormone disruptor used as a fragrance ingredient and to absorb ultraviolet light.

Environmental pollutant, low biodegradability, toxic to aquatic life, possible endocrine disruptor.

Preservative that releases formaldehyde, linked to skin irritation, allergies, and carcinogenic effects.

An inorganic compound which can be irritating to the skin. It is used to give mineral makeups a matte or shimmery appearance. Since it helps the mineral to adhere to the skin, Bismuth Oxychloride can also clog pores and causing acnes and blackheads.

These chemicals are commonly used in plastics, including those used in cosmetics packaging. BPA, BPB, BPE, BPF, BPS, and HPP have been linked to endocrine disruption and reproductive harm. The use of bisphenols in cosmetics is banned in the EU.

Preservative that may cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and release formaldehyde, a carcinogen, when combined with other chemicals.

A solvent used to control viscosity, or a “fragrance” additive. It irritates skin and may cause cancer and reproductive toxicity.

An artificial preservative that builds up in the lungs, liver, and kidneys and has been linked to stomach tumors in animal studies.

A solvent used in cosmetics that can cause skin irritation and is linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity.

An ingredient found in eyeliners, it’s linked to cancer and organ toxicity. Look for its other names: channel black, pigment black 6, pigment black 7, acetylene black, froflow, arogen, arotone, arovel, arrow, atlantic, and black pearls.

Direct contact with chlorine bleaches can cause skin irritation or eye irritation, toxic if inhaled or swallowed, highly toxic to aquatic life.

Used as thickening and binding agent in cosmetics. It was originally used as an additive to gasoline and is known as an aerosol spray propellant and anesthetic. It has been shown to cause liver and kidney damage or uterine cancer in mice after prolonged exposure.

CAPB is a surfactant (cleanser) commonly used in personal care products. It is linked to allergic responses and/or skin irritation

Used on skin to help prevent signs of aging. It is typically used as a medication to treat ADHD, Alzheimer’s, and Autism but has recently gained traction in being used for anti-aging despite lack of evidence that it works. Found in: anti-aging products.

Used as a solvent and plasticizer in cosmetics, including nail polish, and hair care products. Known to be an endocrine disruptor, linked to reproductive and developmental toxicity, skin and eye irritation.

Solvent and humectant that can cause skin irritation, allergies, and dryness, particularly in high concentrations.

Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent that can cause skin irritation and sensitivity. May contain impurities linked to cancer as it. Disodium EDTA is made from ethylenediamine, formaldehyde, and sodium cyanide. Ethylenediamine, formaldehyde, and sodium cyanide are toxic chemicals that is strictly prohibited for use in cosmetic products in the EU.

Used as a preservative to prevent bacterial growth in cosmetics. Made from reaction between formaldehyde and dimethylhydantoin. May release formaldehyde, which is a known human carcinogen and can cause skin irritation.

Surfactants and pH adjusters linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development. Can react to form cancer-causing nitrosamines. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

A binding agent used to improve stability in moisturizers but may be toxic to organs.

Artificial colors and dyes have in some cases been linked to illness and allergies. FD&C numbered color pigments also frequently contain aluminum.

Colorless, strong-smelling gas. Commonly found in nail polish, nail glue, eyelash glue, hair gel, hair-smoothing products, baby shampoo, body soap, body wash, color cosmetics. Known human carcinogen. Linked to organ toxicity, and a known respiratory toxicant. May cause skin irritation.

Artificial substance that can be used as a solvent, preservative, or sweetener. Can be toxic to the kidneys, liver, and nervous system.

Genetically modified organisms.

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound used for its disinfectant, antiviral and antibacterial properties in a range of consumer products. It is a known skin irritant and may be harmful if inhaled at moderate or high concentrations. Its use in cosmetics is banned in Japan, and restricted in both Canada and the EU.

Often used for skin-lightening cosmetics because of its ability to inhibit melanin production, hydroquinone is linked to cancer, organ toxicity, and skin irritation.

Solvent used in cosmetics that can cause skin irritation and is linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity.

These preservatives cause skin irritation, sensitivity, and allergies more commonly than most others on the list.

Chemical preservatives that are among the most common irritants, sensitizers, and causes of contact skin allergies. Found in: shampoo, conditioner, body wash.

Ingredients used in makeup and skincare, commonly as emulsifiers, gelling agents, or film formers. Microplastics can accumulate in the environment and contribute to environmental harm.

An emulsifier for products. Inhalation is poor for the respiratory tract and can induce asthmatic symptoms. It is deemed a potential neurotoxin as well. Found in hair color and household cleaning products.

Ingredients used to bring down the white cast of mineral sunscreens. They may be harmful to human health and have been shown to hurt the environment. Nanoparticles are between 1 and 100 nanometers in size. Because they're so small, they could get absorbed more easily through the skin.

A nitrosamine impurity. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen based on results from laboratory tests. NDMA is a known environmental contaminant and found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables.

A conditioning agent used in hair care products that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions

An agent used to protect from ultraviolet rays. It is linked to irritation and allergies. Found in: sunscreen, moisturizer

A sunscreen ingredient that can cause skin irritation and potentially trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.

Linked to hormone disruption, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and skin irritations.

A preservative and fragrance ingredient that is linked to cancer, skin irritation, and toxicity to the kidneys and liver.

Derived from ether alcohol, it is a synthetic compound that contains carcinogenic chemicals therefore not advisable for long term usage.

Linked to hormone disruption. May be harmful to reproductive organs.

A hair colorant often used in hair dyes. PPD can be highly sensitizing, and some studies link it to lupus, renal failure, non-Hopkins lymphoma and asthma.

A synthetic preservative that can cause asthmatic reactions and stomach irritation.

Preservative that releases formaldehyde, a carcinogen, and can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and contact dermatitis.

A colorant and fragrance ingredient that is a skin irritant, toxic to the immune system and organs, and suspected to cause hormone disruption. Mostly used in hair dyes. Occasionally however they may be used into acne treatments to help smooth scaly, uneven skin. The EU, Japan and even the US has restricted their use.

This is an antifungal medication that can lead to skin irritation and hair loss. It has been linked to cancer.

An artificial preservative that can become carcinogenic when mixed with Vitamin C in large amounts.

It is extremely irritating to the skin and eyesi and can also form chlorinated VOCs such as carbon tetrachloride. These are powerful greenhouse gases and possible carcinogens. Used in household cleaners and disinfectants.

SLS and SLES are surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation, which is used to process other chemicals in order to make them less harsh. Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

Preservatives that, when added in manufacturing, can induce asthma in sulfite-sensitive populations.

Some synthetic perfumes are associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory irritation and potential effects on the hormonal system, and can persist in the environment.

A mineral that is mined from underground. Talc carries the risk of being contaminated with Asbestos, because Asbestos is also found underground, and veins of it have frequently appeared in Talc deposits.

A moisturizing agent that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Triclosan is a skin, eye and lung irritant. It has associated health concerns and has the ability to persist in the environment and bio accumulate.

Triclosan is a skin, eye and lung irritant. It has associated health concerns and has the ability to persist in the environment and bio accumulate.

Trisodium EDTA is a chelating agent that can cause skin irritation and sensitivity. May contain impurities linked to cancer as it. Trisodium EDTA is made from ethylenediamine, formaldehyde, and sodium cyanide. Ethylenediamine, formaldehyde, and sodium cyanide are toxic chemicals that is strictly prohibited for use in cosmetic products in the EU.

A pH adjuster and buffering agent that has low toxicity but can cause skin irritation in some individual

Solvent that can cause skin and eye irritation. May cause headache, dizziness, and nausea. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.