The European Union banned 1328 chemicals from cosmetics and skincare but the United States has only banned 30. Listed below are 11 toxic ingredients banned in the EU, but not in the US.

 

Formaldehyde

Most commonly found in hair straightening agents, nail polish, and eyelash glue. It’s a known carcinogen and can cause breathing issues.

 

Petroleum

Also known by different names, including mineral oil, petrolatum, and paraffin oil. Your body does not metabolize these ingredients. It kind of just sits in your body...for a long time. Keep an eye out for petroleum in moisturizing products for lips and skin like Vaseline and Cerave.

 

Parabens

Known by many different names, including methylparaben, isopropylparaben, pentylparaben, isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, and benzylparaben, are preservatives. They can mimic estrogen in the body, disrupting your hormonal system. Parabens are extremely common in conventional hair and skin products- keep an eye out!

 

Triclosan

Also known as triclocarban. Most commonly found in face washes, body washes, other soaps. This ingredient may release antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Your prescribed antibiotics may not be as effective next time if triclosan continues to be found in your products.

 

Hydroquinone

Found in products made to brighten or lighten the skin like age spots/sunspots/acne scars. Europe and Japan have outlawed it due to its cytotoxic nature. Hydroquinone kills cells and chromosomes if used too much, which can be the cause of some forms of cancer. There’s no evidence that this dosage doesn’t lead to cancer.

 

P-Phenylenediamine

Also known as PPD, aminophenol, or diaminobenzene. It’s derived from coal tar. It leads to severe allergic reactions and can be found in a lot of hair products.

 

Quaternium-15

Mostly found in facial cosmetics, especially powders. This helps makeup last as long as possible. It can release foraldehyde, a known carcinogen that can cause breathing issues.

 

Talc

Mostly found in setting powders, blush, bronzing powder, baby powder, deodorants, and dry shampoo. It contains asbestos, which increases your risk of lung growth and mesothelioma.

 

Fragrance

Found in just about everything. Fragrance can contain hormone disruptors and are among the top 5 allergens in the world.

 

Titanium

Commonly found in sunscreen. The particles in titanium block UV rays, but because of their small size, they can also penetrate your skin. There is a concern that these particles may have a toxic effect on the brain, increasing your risk of nerve damage and cancer.

 

Avobenzone

Commonly found in sunscreen. It’s an unstable ingredient and breaks down easily. When it does, it releases free radicals, which are destructive molecules that hurt your healthy cells, causing early aging.

 

Other harmful ingredients to keep away from in skincare & cosmetics:

 

Sodium lauryl sulfate

Found in shampoo, body wash, foundation, and face wash

SLS has been known to cause skin irritation, disruptions of skin’s natural oil balance, and acne (especially cystic) around the mouth and chin.

 

BHA

Found in exfoliants and perfume. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is classified as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” by the National Toxicology Program. It causes loss of pigmentation in the skin. The European Union considers it unsafe in fragrance

 

Polyethylene/PEGs

Commonly found in scrubs, body wash, and makeup. These synthetic chemicals are usually contaminated with 1,4-diocane, which the US government considers a probable human carcinogen and which penetrates the skin. Polyethylene has been labeled as a skin irritant and should never be used on broken skin. Polyethylene beads in scrubs and body washes are also not filtered by our sewage systems. They can collect pollutants and travel into waterways where they’re consumed by marine animals and fish!

 

Retinyl Palmitate

Also known as, retinyl acetate, retinoic acid, and retinol. Commonly found in moisturizer, lip products, sunscreen, anti-aging products. Retinol products have the opposite effect and become carcinogenic in sunlight. If you must, only use these at night and wear a high SPF the following morning!

 

Oxybenzone

Found in suncreen. One of the highest-risk chemicals found in sunscreen. It acts like estrogen in the body and changes sperm production in animals. It is also associated with endometriosis in women. Oxybenzone disrupts the hormone system. Opt for sunscreens with zinc oxide instead.

 

Helpful ingredients for the health and vitality of your skin:

​

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)

Over-the-counter skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids) have gotten popular. Creams and lotions with alpha-hydroxy acids may help with fine lines, irregular pigmentation, age spots, and may help shrink enlarged pores. Side effects of alpha-hydroxy acids include mild irritation and sun sensitivity. To avoid burning, sunscreen should be applied in the morning. To help avoid irritation, start with a maximum concentration of 10%-15% AHA. To allow your skin to get used to alpha-hydroxy acids, you should only initially apply the skin care product every other day, gradually working up to daily application.

 

Beta-hydroxy acid (salicylic acid)

Salicylic acid removes dead skin and can improve the texture and color of sun damaged skin. It penetrates oily hair follicle openings and also helps with acne. Some products are available over-the-counter and others need a doctor's prescription. Studies have shown that salicylic acid is less irritating than skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids, while showing similar results in skin texture and color.

 

Kojic Acid

Kojic acid is a remedy for pigment problems and age spots. Kojic acid works similarly to hydroquinone, but is not as harmful. Kojic acid is derived from a fungus, and studies have shown that it is effective as a lightening agent, slowing production of melanin (dark pigment).

 

L-Ascorbic Acid

This is the only form of vitamin C that you should look for in your skin care products. There are many skin care products on the market today that claim to have vitamin C  as an ingredient (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbyl palmitate, for example), but L-ascorbic acid is the only useful form of vitamin C in skin care products! With age and sun exposure, collagen synthesis in the skin decreases, leading to wrinkles. Vitamin C is the only antioxidant proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, minimizing fine lines, scars, and wrinkles.

 

 

Hyaluronic Acid

Skincare products with hyaluronic acid are often used with vitamin C products to help in effective penetration. Hyaluronic acid (also known as glycosaminoglycan) is known for its ability to slow down aging. This substance occurs naturally (and abundantly) in humans and animals, and is found in young skin, other tissues, and joint fluid. Hyaluronic acid is a component of the body's connective tissues and is known to cushion and lubricate. As you age, nature, environment, and diet destroy hyaluronic acid.

 

Retinol

Vitamin A derivative that puts your turnover rate in overdrive. You don’t really need prescription-strength retinol unless you suffer from cystic acne or want to start softening fine lines in your 30s.

 

Copper Peptide

Copper peptide is referred to as the most effective skin regeneration product, Studies have shown that copper peptide promotes collagen and elastin production, acts as an antioxidant, and promotes the production of hyaluronic acid. Studies have also shown that copper-dependent enzymes increase the benefits of the body's natural tissue-building processes. The substance helps to firm, smooth, and soften skin, doing it in less time than most other anti-aging skincare products. Clinical studies have found that copper peptides also remove damaged collagen and elastin from the skin and scar tissue because they activate the skin's system responsible for those functions.

 

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

This is an ultra-potent antioxidant that helps fight future skin damage and helps repair past damage. Alpha-lipoic acid has been referred to as a universal antioxidant because it's soluble in both water and oil, which allows its entrance to all parts of the cell. Because of this quality, alpha-lipoic acid can provide the greatest protection against damaging free radicals when compared with other antioxidants. Alpha-lipoic acid helps fight fine lines, gives skin a healthy glow, and boosts levels of other antioxidants, like vitamin C.

 

DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol)

This substance is naturally produced in the brain, but it’s also found in anchovies, salmon, and sardines. DMAE in skin care products shows remarkable effects when applied topically to skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

 

Other common ingredients found in cosmetics:

 

Tocopherol

Vitamin E, it protects the product from going rancid.

 

Xanthan gum

A naturally derived gum that thickens the product.

 

Cetyl alcohol & Cetearyl alcohol

Fatty alcohol that stabilizes emulsions and has a moisturizing action. It is not drying as pure alcohol (ethanol).

 

Citric acid

Even though it has the word ‘acid’ in it, it is not harmful. It regulates the pH levels of the product and also protects it from microbial contamination.

 

Sorbitan olivate

This is an example of an emulsifier, it sounds misleading but is actually made from sorbitol (alcohol sugar found in chewing gums) and olive oil.

 

Potassium sorbate

An example of a preservative, potassium salt of natural sorbic acid, it is also used to preserve foods.

 

Aqua

Water

 

Caprylic/capric Triglyceride

 The liquid fraction of coconut oil

 

Centella Asiatica

Flower/leaf/stem Extract – tiger grass extract

 

Tricaprylin

Oily emollient (naturally derived)

 

Glycerin

Humectant (glycerol, naturally derived)

 

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emulsifier (naturally derived)

 

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate

Solubilizer, emulsifier (naturally derived)

 

Persea Gratissima

Avocado oil 

 

Sucrose Stearate

Emulsifier (from sugar and stearic fatty acid)

 

Stellaria Media Extract

Chickweed plant extract

 

​