The library
Ingredients to Avoid
Thirty plain English guides to the chemicals found in everyday soap, skin care, hair care and cosmetics. Each one explains what the ingredient is, the names it hides behind on a label, what researchers and regulators have found, and how to avoid it.
Aluminum in Antiperspirants: Separating Concern From Myth
Aluminum is the active ingredient that makes antiperspirant work. Here is what the science says about the common fears, and the few real cautions.
Benzalkonium Chloride and Quats in Hand Soaps and Wipes
Benzalkonium chloride is the active ingredient in many alcohol free sanitizers and antibacterial wipes. Here is how quats work, what concerns researchers, and when plain soap is enough.
Benzene Contamination in Aerosol Sprays and Dry Shampoo
Benzene is never supposed to be in personal care products, yet testing found it in some aerosol sprays. Here is how contamination happens and how to sidestep it.
BHA and BHT: Synthetic Antioxidant Preservatives
BHA and BHT are synthetic antioxidants added to keep oils fresh in lipsticks, creams, and foods. Here is why one draws more concern than the other.
Chemical Hair Relaxers and Straighteners: What Research Shows
NIH research has linked frequent use of chemical hair straighteners to higher uterine cancer risk. Here is what the science says, what these products contain, and gentler paths.
Cyclic Silicones D4, D5 and D6: Smooth Feel, Lasting Footprint
Cyclic silicones give products their silky, quick drying feel. The main concern is not your skin but where they go afterward. Here is the full picture.
DEA, MEA and TEA: Ethanolamines and Nitrosamine Risk
Ethanolamines thicken shampoos, boost foam, and adjust pH. The main concern is what they can form when combined with certain other ingredients.
Formaldehyde Releasers: DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15 and More
Some preservatives work by slowly releasing tiny amounts of formaldehyde. Here is how to recognize them on a label and why many people prefer to skip them.
Hydroquinone and Skin Lighteners: Risks and Gentler Options
Hydroquinone fades dark spots by slowing pigment production, but it is no longer sold over the counter in the US. Here is why, and what gentler routes exist.
Lead, Mercury and Heavy Metals in Cosmetics
Lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium can find their way into makeup through mineral pigments and contamination. Here is what is allowed, what is not, and where the real risks lie.
Methylisothiazolinone (MI): The Allergen of the Decade
Methylisothiazolinone is a water based preservative that caused a sharp rise in allergic skin reactions in the 2010s. Here is how to recognize it and keep it out of your routine.
Microplastics and Liquid Polymers in Beauty Products
The US banned plastic microbeads in rinse off scrubs, but tiny plastics and synthetic polymers still appear in many beauty products. Here is how to recognize them.
Mineral Oil and Petrolatum: Petroleum on Your Skin
Mineral oil and petrolatum are cheap, stable, and very good at sealing in moisture. They also come from petroleum. Here is a fair look at both sides.
Nitrosamines: Contaminants That Form Inside Your Products
Nitrosamines are never listed on a label because no one adds them. They form inside some products when amines meet nitrosating agents. Here is how to keep the odds low.
Octocrylene and Homosalate: The Other Chemical UV Filters
When oxybenzone left many sunscreens, octocrylene and homosalate often filled the gap. They have their own open questions worth knowing about.
Oxybenzone and Octinoxate: Chemical Sunscreen Filters Under Scrutiny
Two of the most familiar chemical sunscreen filters face questions about absorption, hormones, allergies, and coral reefs. Here is what the evidence shows.
Parabens in Cosmetics: What They Are and Why People Avoid Them
Parabens are among the most widely used preservatives in personal care. Here is what they are, why they drew concern, and how regulators weigh the evidence.
PEG Compounds and 1,4-Dioxane Contamination
1,4-dioxane never appears on a label, because no one adds it on purpose. It forms during a common manufacturing step. Here is how to read between the lines.
PFAS "Forever Chemicals" in Makeup and Personal Care
PFAS are added to some long wear and waterproof cosmetics for their slip and staying power. Here is what they are, why they persist, and how to read past them on a label.
Phenoxyethanol: The "Paraben Free" Preservative Swap
When parabens fell out of favor, phenoxyethanol stepped in. Regulators consider it safe at low levels, but there are real reasons some people prefer to skip it.
Phthalates in Personal Care Products: The Hidden Plasticizers
Phthalates make plastics flexible and help fragrances linger. They rarely appear on cosmetic labels, which is exactly why they are worth understanding.
PPD and Resorcinol: Chemicals in Permanent Hair Dye
Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) gives permanent hair color its staying power, and it is also one of the most common causes of allergic reactions to dye. Here is what to know before you color.
Propylene Glycol: Penetration Enhancer and Skin Irritant
Propylene glycol is one of the most common ingredients in personal care. It is low in toxicity, but it can irritate or sensitize some skin. Here is a fair look at both sides.
SLS and SLES: Why Harsh Sulfates Strip Your Skin and Hair
SLS and SLES make the rich foam in most shampoos and body washes. They clean well, sometimes too well. Here is what the research actually supports.
Synthetic Dyes and Coal Tar Colors in Cosmetics
Bright soaps, shampoos, and lipsticks often get their color from certified synthetic dyes. Here is how they are regulated and how to read them on a label.
Synthetic Fragrance: What "Parfum" Can Hide on a Label
One word on a label can stand for a blend of many chemicals. Here is what "fragrance" and "parfum" really mean, and why they matter for sensitive skin.
Synthetic Musks: Galaxolide, Tonalide and Bioaccumulation
Synthetic musks give perfume, lotion and laundry soap a lingering clean scent. Some are persistent enough to build up in people and wildlife. Here is what is known.
Talc and Asbestos Contamination: What Shoppers Should Know
Talc is a soft mineral used in powders and makeup. The main concern is asbestos contamination during mining, plus questions about inhalation and long term use.
Toluene, DBP and the "Toxic Trio" in Nail Products
Toluene, dibutyl phthalate and formaldehyde earned the name "toxic trio" in nail care. Here is what each does, what the "free" labels really promise, and how to protect your nails.
Triclosan and Antibacterial Soap: Why the FDA Pulled It
For years antibacterial soap seemed like the safer choice. The FDA concluded that triclosan offered no proven benefit over plain soap and water.