No Go List

Use: Contaminant (unlisted in ingredient labels) - a substance that renders a product impure and unsuitable for use.

What is it: A by-product generated by ethoxylation (a process where ethylene oxide is added to other chemicals to make them less harsh)

Health Concern: Carcinogen, Organ Toxicity, Birth Defects

Found In: Products that create suds (such as shampoo, liquid soap, bubble bath), hair relaxers, others

AKA: Sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds, chemicals that include the clauses xynol, ceteareth and oleth

Use: Preservative

What is it: Formaldehyde

Health Concern: Carcinogen, Neurotoxicity, Developmental toxicity, asthma, skin/eye irritation, allergy trigger

Found in: Shampoo, Body wash, Bubble Bath, Nail polish, Eyelash glue.

AKA: DMDM hydantoin (formaldehyde releaser), Glyoxal, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylene Glycol, Polyoxymethylene Urea, Quaternium-15, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, bromopol, 2- bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (formaldehyde releaser)

EWG SCORE: 10 INCI SCORE:

Controversial/At Risk

Use: Surfactant

What is it: By-product of a process called ethoxylation, in which ethylene oxide, is added to other chemicals to make them less harsh.

Health Concern: Contamination with 1,4-dioxane, Potential carcinogens, Endocrine disruption, Causes skin and eye irritation, Can trigger Allergies

Found In: All types of hair products

AKA: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate

EWG SCORE: 1-3

INCI SCORE: Not So Good

Use: Preservatives substance added to delay decomposition and inhibit spoilage by preventing growth of bacteria, yeast, and/or mold in a product, Antimicrobial agents

What is it: Esters of para hydroxybenzoic acid

Health Concern: Endocrine disruption, potential carcinogen, developmental, reproductive and immune toxicity, allergy trigger

Found In: Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, facial, shower cleansers and scrubs

AKA: Ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, other ingredients ending in –paraben

Use: Preservatives substance added to delay decomposition and inhibit spoilage by preventing growth of bacteria, yeast, and/or mold in a product, Antimicrobial agents

What is it: Esters of para hydroxybenzoic acid

Health Concern: Endocrine disruption, potential carcinogen, developmental, reproductive and immune toxicity, allergy trigger

Found In: Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, facial, shower cleansers and scrubs

AKA: Ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, other ingredients ending in –paraben

Use: Commonly used antimicrobial agents found in many soaps and detergents.

What is it: Antibacterials

Health Concern: Endocrine disruption, toxic to aquatic environments, contributes to antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Found In: Antibacterial soaps and detergents, toothpaste and tooth whitening products, antiperspirants/deodorants, shaving products, creams, color cosmetics.

AKA: Triclosan (TSC) and triclocarban (TCC)

EWG SCORE: 7

INCI SCORE: Controversial/At Risk

Use: Filters UV‐B rays from the sun.

What is it: Formed by combining methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ehtylhexanol-compounds which are not harmful on their own. When mixed, they form a clear liquid that does not dissolve in water.

Health Concern: Endocrine disruption, mimics estrogen and can disrupt thyroid function, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and organ system toxicity.

Found In: Hair color products and shampoos, sunscreen, lipstick, nail polish, skin creams

AKA: Octinoxate,o methoxycinnamate (OMC), parsol, parsol MCX, parsol MOX, escalol, 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, Ethyhexyl Methoxycinnamate

EWG SCORE: 5-8

INCI SCORE: Controversial

Use: Claims to deliver extra oxygen to the skin, solvent and texture-enhancing

What is it: synthetic perfluorocarbon

Health Concern: Cancer, allergen, immunotoxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity

Found in: shampoo, body oil, CC cream, serums, under eye cream, body oil, body firming lotion, exfoliant/scrub, moisturizer, facial cleanswer, shaving cream, mask, lip balm

AKA: PTFE (Teflon)
Perfluorononyl Dimethicone
Perfluorodecalin
C9-15 Fluoroalcohol Phosphate
Octafluoropentyl Methacrylate
Perfluorohexane
Pentafluoropropane
Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluoroethyl Peg Phosphate
Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Peg-2 Phosphate
Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether
Perfluorononylethyl Carboxydecyl Peg-10 Dimethicone
Perfluorodimethylcyclohexane
Perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene

EWG SCORE: 10 INCI SCORE:

Good

Use: Preservatives, Fragrance Enhancers

What is it: Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Health Concern: Skin irritation, Sensitizer, Allergy trigger, possible neurotoxicity

Found In: All types of hair products

EWG Score: 7 INCI Score: Controversial

Use: Mainly as a solvent

What is it: a clear, colorless liquid with an ether-like odor

Health Concern: Irritation eyes, nose, throat; headache, drowsiness, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion); ataxia, tremor; anemic pallor; In Animals: reproductive, teratogenic effects. Issues with: eyes, respiratory system, central nervous system, blood, kidneys, reproductive system, hematopoietic system

Found In: Cleaning compounds and cosmetics

AKA: EGME, Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, Glycol monomethyl ether, 2-Methoxyethanol

Use: Some metals are intentionally added as ingredients, while others are contaminants.

What is it: Lead is a potential impurity in many color cosmetics, including lipstick. Lead is a well-known and proven neurotoxin that has been linked to learning, language and behavioral problems.

Health Concern: Cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, environmental concerns (bioaccumulation)

Found In: Lip products, whitening toothpaste, eyeliner, nail color, foundations, sunscreens, eye shadows, blush, concealer, moisturizers, eye drops

AKA: Lead acetate, chromium, thimerosal, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, sodium hexametaphosphate. Note: products that contain contaminant metals will not list them on ingredient labels

EWG SCORE: 10 INCI SCORE:

Satisfactory

Use: Emulsifying, Skin conditioning

What is it: a soluble fluoro silicone fluid that exhibits foaming properties in water.

Health Concern: Evidence of acute aquatic toxicity; digestive system effects; nervous system effects

Found In: sunscreen, shampoos, conditioners, bath products, skin creams and lotions, shaving products, lipsticks and make-up.

AKA: siloxanes and silicones, 11-(2-(nonafluorononyl)ethoxy)-11-oxoundecyl methyl, 3-hydropoly(oxyethylene)oxypropyl methyl, dimethyl (10 mol eo average molar ratio

Use: a toxic chemical used in in nail products and hair dyes.

What is it: Toluene, found naturally in crude oil and in the tolu tree, is added to gasoline and is used in the making of many products including paint thinners, adhesives, rubber and hair dyes.

Health Concern: Developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, irritation

Found In: Nail polish, nail treatment, hair dyes

EWG SCORE: 10 INCI SCORE:

Controversial

Use: Binding

What is it: creates a weightless, invisible shield that repels dirt and oil to keep hair cleaner, longer.

Health Concern: Moderate Irritant

Found In: hair care preparations

AKA: (OFPMA)

EWG SCORE: 10 INCI SCORE:

Good

Use: preservative

What is it: synthetic antioxidants

Health Concern: tumors, interferes with hormone functions, liver, thyroid and kidney problems and affecting lung function and blood coagulation

Found In: lipsticks, moisturizers, and other cosmetics

AKA: Butylated Hydroxytoulene (BHT) Butylated hydroxytoulene

EWG SCORE:3 INCI SCORE: Controversial

Use: To extend shelf life and prevent rancidity

What is it: A light-colored crystalline product with a slight odor.

Health Concern: cause tumors, liver enlargement, neurotoxic effects, convulsions, and paralysis

Found In: Skin Care and food

AKA: tert-butylhydroquinone, tertiary butylhydroquinone, TBHQ, butylated hydroxyanisol

EWG SCORE: 1-2 INCI SCORE:

No rating

Use: can react with mineral acids to form salts.

What is it: colorless liquids or crystalline solids, though they may sold as pastes.

Health Concern: causes serious eye irritation, is harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects and causes skin irritation, causes serious eye damage

Found In: the formulation of creams and lotions, hair sprays, hair dyes and colors, eye and facial products, and other hair and skin care products.

AKA: Aminomethyl Propanediol

Use: Personal care products, household cleaning products.

What is it: A chemical group comprised of amino acids and alcohols.

Health Concern: Cancer, environmental concerns (bioaccumulation), organ system toxicity

Found In: Soaps, shampoos, conditioner, lotions, shaving creams, paraffin, waxes, eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, blush, makeup foundations, fragrance, suncreen

AKA: Triethanolamine, Diethanolamine, DEA, TEA, cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, DEA-cetyl phospate, DEA oleth-3 phosphate, lauramide DEA, linoleamide MEA, myristamide DEA, Olaeamide DEA, stearamide MEA, TEA-lauryl sulfate.

EWG SCORE: 5-6

INCI SCORE: Not So Good

Use: Increases shine, prevents dandruff, improved softness

What is it: mineral found in soil

Health Concern: Banned as unsafe for use in cosmetics. Use restrictions (high), Persistence and bioaccumulation (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (high), Ecotoxicology (low), and Occupational hazards (high)

Found in: Hand creams, Facial moisturizers, Mask, Hair styling aide, serums, hair treatment/serum, exfoliant scrub, moisturizers

AKA: SE, SELENIUM, SELENIUM (TOTAL), and SELENIUM, DISSOLVED

EWG SCORE: 8 INCI SCORE: Controversial

Use: Protects against UV light

What is it: Benzene-based fragrance enhancer and UV absorber

Health Concern: Endocrine disruption

Found In: body spray, hair treatment/serum, nail polish, fragrance, body oil, lipstick, aftershave, facial moisturizers

AKA:Benzophenone-4, Benzophenone-2, Benzophenone-3

EWG SCORE:3-4 INCI SCORE: Controversial

Use: Petrolatum, or petroleum jelly, derived from petroleum, is often used in personal care products as a moisturizing agent.

What is it: Petrolatum is a byproduct of petroleum refining.[1] With a melting point close to body temperature, petrolatum softens upon application and forms a water-repellant film around the applied area, creating an effective barrier against the evaporation of the skin’s natural moisture and foreign particles or microorganisms that may cause infection.[2] Petrolatum is odorless and colorless, and it has an inherently long shelf life. These qualities make petrolatum a popular ingredient in skincare products and cosmetics.

Health Concern: Cancer. The primary concern with petrolatum is the potential contamination with PAHs. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) considers PAHs as a class to contain reasonably anticipated carcinogens

Found In: Lotions, Cosmetics

AKA: Paraffin, Petrolatum, Petroleum, Mineral Grease (Petrolatum), Mineral Jelly, Petrolatum, Petrolatum Amber, Petrolatum White, Petroleum Jelly, And Yellow Petrolatum

EWG SCORE: 1-4 INCI SCORE:

Not So Good to Controversial

Use: Colorant

What is it: Finely ground particles of alulminum

Health Concern: Enhanced skin absorpition, Use Restrictions (high), Neurotoxicity (high), and non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)

Found In: hair color and bleach, lip glos, eyeliner, eye shadow, under eye cream, bubble bath, moisturizer, blush, setting powder/spray, brow liner, bronzer, conceraler, mascara, mask, sunscreen, lip liner, nail polish.

AKA: Aluminium, Aluminium Flake, Aluminum, LP Pigment 5, Pigment Metal 1

EWG SCORE: 4-9 INCI SCORE: Not So Good

Use: Synthetic scent

What is it: chemical compound commonly used as a perfume in cosmetics and laundry powders

Health Concern: Endocrine disruption, associated with allergies and contact dermatitis, possible human reproductive or developmental toxin

Found In: perfume, fragrance for men, hand soap, hair color and bleach, lip gloss, eyeliner, eye shadow, under eye cream, bubble bath, moisturizer, blush, setting powder/spray, brow liner, bronzer, conceraler, mascara, mask, sunscreen, lip liner, sunless tanning, makeup remover, skin lightener, makeup primer.

AKA: 2-(4-Tert-Butylbenzyl)Propionaldehyde, Benzenepropanal, 4(1,1dimethylethyl)Ã Methyl, Benzenepropanal, 4-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-.Alpha.-Methyl-, Butylphenyl Methlypropional, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Butyphenyl Methylpropional, Lilial, And P-T-Butyl-Alpha-Methylhydrocinnamic Aldehyde

EWG SCORE: 7 INCI SCORE:

Controversial/At Risk

Use: Scent or flavoring

What is it: Engineered scent or flavoring agent that usually contains dozens of chemical ingredients used to create fragrances. Because they are considered “Trade Secrets,” they do not need to be disclosed.

Health Concern: Severe skin and respiratory irritation, trigger allergies, migraines and asthma attacks, Potential carcinogen, Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Birth defects

Found In: All types of hair products, body products, cosmetics

AKA: All types of hair products, body products, cosmetics

EWG SCORE: 8

INCI SCORE: Satisfactory

Use: to help condition skin and soften hair

What is it: a colorless and odorless liquid which may be derived from either petroleum, natural gas, or vegetable sources.


Health Concern: While Propylene glycol is generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (FDA 2017) for uses in food and tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, it has been associated as a skin irritant and enhances skin's absorption of ingredients.

Found In: conditioner, hair treatment, shampoo, mascara, hair products, detangler, serums, hair spray, facial moisturizer, body firming lotion, body wash, lip balm, etc

AKA: 1,2-Dihydroxypropane, 1,2-Propanediol, 2-Hydroxypropanol, Methylethyl Glycol, Propane-1,2-Diol, Propylene Glycol

EWG SCORE: 4 INCI SCORE: Not Good

Use: Propellant in aerosols

What is it: Butane is a hydrocarbon and a highly flammable, colourless, odourless, easily liquefied gas.


Health Concern: Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Multiple, additive exposure sources (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate), and Contamination concerns (high).

Found In: Aerosol Products

AKA: N-Butane

EWG SCORE: 3-6 INCI SCORE: Not Good

Use: Propellant in aerosols

What is it: Isobutane is a colorless gas with a faint petroleum-like odor.


Health Concern: Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Multiple, additive exposure sources (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate), and Contamination concerns (high).

Found In: Aerosol Products

AKA: 1,1-Dimethylethane, 2-Methyl- Propane, 2-Methylpropane, Propane, 2-Methyl- Propane, 2methyl, Trimethylmethane

EWG SCORE: 3-6 INCI SCORE: Not Good

Use: Create a less harsh product

What is it: Ethoxylation is the process of reacting ethylene oxide with other chemicals to make them less harsh.

Health Concern: a manufacturing process can result in two toxic contaminants linked to breast cancer and other cancers: ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.

Found In: shampoo, liquid soap, bubble bath, hair relaxers.

AKA: PPPG, PEG, polysorbate and ingredients that end in –eth such as laureth, steareth, ceteareth.


EWG SCORE: 1-3 INCI SCORE: Not So Good

Use: Exfoliator

What is it: Promotes skin cell turnover, improves skin tone, helps unclog pores, helps thicken the dermis to slow down the formation of wrinkles

Health Concern: form small molecules called free radicals that damage DNA. Use restrictions (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), and Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)

Found In: Skincare and haircare

AKA: Axerophthol Palmitate, Hexadecanoate Retinol, Retinol Palmitate, Retinol, Hexadecanoate, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), And Vitamin A Palmitate


EWG SCORE: 9 INCI SCORE: Good

Use: its ability to help reduce water loss from skin and keep it moisturized.

What is it: a clear, odorless liquid and a common ingredient in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products.

Health Concern: Lipid pneumonitis if ingested in reclined body position, Fecal incontinence, Intestinal malabsorption, Impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, Rectal discharge of mineral oil, Anal itching and irritation, Abdominal cramps, Nausea

Found In: Antibacterial soaps and detergents, toothpaste and tooth whitening products, antiperspirants/deodorants, shaving products, creams, color cosmetics.

AKA: Deobase, Heavy Mineral Oil, Light Mineral Oil, Liquid Paraffin, Liquid Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Mineral Oil Hydrocarbon Solvent (Petroleum); Mineral Oil (Saturated Parrafin Oil), Paraffin Oil, Paraffin Oils, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petroleum White Mineral Oil, Prolatum Oil, And White Mineral Oil, Petroleum
North Authentic Products: Most of our products don't include this ingredient.

EWG SCORE: 1-3 INCI SCORE: None provided

Use: Gives lotions and creams a silky, powdery feel. Adds shine and reduces frizzing to hair products.

What is it: a silicon-based cyclic compound; may be associated with environmental toxicity.

Health Concern: Build up, drying of hair, Enhanced skin absorption, Endocrine disruption (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), and Ecotoxicology (low)

Found In: hair products, skin products, cosmetics, sunscreen,

AKA: Cyclomethicone and Cyclopentasiloxane, Decamethyl


EWG SCORE:3

INCI SCORE: Controversial