10 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Beauty Products (and Why They Matter)
Your skin isn’t an impenetrable shield — it’s a living organ that absorbs much of what you put on it. Once absorbed, chemicals can enter your bloodstream and circulate throughout your body. Some are inhaled as you breathe in vapors, others are accidentally ingested (think lipstick or lip balm).
Here’s a detailed look at 10 of the most concerning toxic ingredients in beauty products — and how they can impact your health.
After this Top 10 List, scroll down for Safer alternatives…
1. Parabens
Where found: Lotions, shampoos, makeup, deodorants.
What they are: Synthetic preservatives that prevent mold and bacteria growth in cosmetics.
How they enter your body: Easily absorbed through the skin and also inhaled from sprays or powders.
Why they’re toxic: Parabens mimic estrogen, binding to hormone receptors and disrupting the endocrine system. This hormonal interference has been linked to breast cancer, reduced fertility, and early puberty in girls.
Extra concern: Parabens can build up in tissues over time — they’ve been detected in breast tumor samples and even in umbilical cord blood.
2. Phthalates
Where found: Nail polish, hairspray, fragrances, lotions.
What they are: Chemicals that make plastics flexible and help scents and lotions last longer.
How they enter your body: Absorbed through skin contact, inhaled from fragranced products, or ingested through lip products.
Why they’re toxic: Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors. They can lower testosterone, interfere with reproductive development, and are linked to birth defects and developmental delays in children. Yikes…
Extra concern: They’re often hidden under the word “fragrance” on labels, making them hard to spot.
3. Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents
Where found: Nail polish, hair-smoothing treatments, shampoos, eyelash glue.
What they are: Preservatives and bonding agents that slowly release formaldehyde gas over time.
How they enter your body: Inhaled as fumes during application (especially in hair salons) or absorbed through the skin.
Why they’re toxic: Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen. It can trigger allergic skin reactions, asthma, and chronic respiratory problems. Even low-level exposure over time can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
4. Sulfates (SLS & SLES)
Where found: Shampoos, body washes, toothpaste, facial cleansers.
What they are: Detergents that create foaming and remove oil and dirt.
How they enter your body: Mainly through skin absorption and accidental ingestion (toothpaste).
Why they’re toxic: While not inherently dangerous in tiny doses, sulfates strip away natural oils, weaken the skin barrier, and increase permeability to other harmful chemicals. SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen.
Extra concern: The irritation they cause can worsen eczema, rosacea, and chronic dryness. Avoid sulfates in people and children who have these skin issues.
Sulfates
5. PEG Compounds (Polyethylene Glycols)
Where found: Creams, lotions, shampoos, sunscreens.
What they are: Petroleum-derived compounds that thicken, soften, and help products penetrate the skin.
How they enter your body: Absorbed directly through the skin — and because PEGs are penetration enhancers, they can pull other chemicals in with them.
Why they’re toxic: Often contaminated with ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) and 1,4-dioxane. They can also irritate the skin and disrupt the skin barrier.
6. Triclosan
Where found: “Antibacterial” soaps, toothpaste, deodorants.
What it is: A synthetic antimicrobial agent designed to kill bacteria.
How it enters your body: Through skin absorption, ingestion (toothpaste), or inhalation.
Why it’s toxic: Triclosan disrupts thyroid hormone function, may contribute to antibiotic resistance, and has been linked to gut microbiome imbalances. It also accumulates in the environment, harming aquatic life.
7. Toluene
Where found: Nail polish, nail polish remover, hair dyes.
What it is: A solvent derived from petroleum.
How it enters your body: Primarily inhaled as vapors or absorbed through skin contact.
Why it’s toxic: Toluene affects the central nervous system, causing dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Chronic exposure can damage the liver, kidneys, and brain — and in pregnancy, it can harm fetal development.
8. Oxybenzone & Octinoxate
Where found: Many chemical sunscreens, SPF lip balms, and foundations.
What they are: UV filters used to prevent sun damage in skin.
How they enter your body: Readily absorbed through the skin — oxybenzone has been detected in blood, urine, and breast milk.
Why they’re toxic: Endocrine disruptors that may interfere with thyroid and reproductive hormones. They can also trigger skin allergies and are known to damage coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
Many sunscreens contain Oxybenzone or Octinoxate
9. BHA & BHT (Butylated Hydroxyanisole / Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Where found: Lipsticks, moisturizers, some packaged foods.
What they are: Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life.
How they enter your body: Absorbed through skin contact and ingestion (lip products).
Why they’re toxic: Linked to hormone disruption, immune system effects, and possible carcinogenicity. BHA has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
10. Artificial Fragrances
Where found: Perfumes, lotions, shampoos, deodorants, candles.
What they are: Mixtures of hundreds of synthetic chemicals used to create a scent, often kept secret under “trade secret” laws.
How they enter your body: Inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or ingested in lip products.
Why they’re toxic: Many fragrance chemicals are allergens, hormone disruptors (including hidden phthalates), and respiratory irritants. They can trigger migraines, asthma attacks, and skin rashes.
Extra concern: Because “fragrance” is considered proprietary, companies don’t have to disclose the chemical makeup — making it impossible to know what you’re really using.
What’s really in that puff of vapor you’re spraying into the air??
Better, Safer Alternatives for Your Beauty Routine
Making the switch to non-toxic beauty doesn’t have to mean sacrificing results. Many clean brands have proven you can have high-performance products without questionable chemicals, which are often linked to endocrine issues and cancers.
Here are some safer swaps for common product categories:
1. Facial Moisturizers
Safer Picks:
Weleda Skin Food (rich and nourishing, plant-based)
Mad Hippie Face Cream (antioxidant-rich, no parabens or PEGs)
True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil (certified non-toxic, great for sensitive skin)
What's My Age Again SuperActive Facial Moisturizer
Butter Me Up Organics Sea Buckthorn Facial Moisturizer
Noorskin Daylight Vitality - Functional Facial Moisturizer
2. Shampoo & Conditioner
Safer Picks:
Acure Organics (affordable, sulfate-free, EWG verified options)
Rahua (uses plant-based surfactants, eco-conscious)
Innersense Organic Beauty (clean salon-quality haircare)
Babo Botanicals Eucalyptus Remedy Plant Based Shampoo & Wash
Attitude SUPER LEAVES | ESSENTIAL OILS, Nourishing Shampoo
3. Sunscreen
Safer Picks (Mineral-Based):
Badger Balm SPF 30 (zinc oxide, reef-safe)
Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen (broad spectrum, EWG verified)
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen (good for kids & sensitive skin)
Thinksport Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
4. Lip Products
Safer Picks:
Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lip Balm (phthalate- and petroleum-free)
Ilia Beauty Tinted Lip Conditioner (nourishing oils, clean pigments)
RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek (multi-use, food-grade ingredients)
Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain (PETA Cruelty-free)
Rejuva Minerals Pur Lips Lipstick
Maia's Mineral Galaxy Liquid Lipstick
5. Deodorants
Safer Picks:
Native Deodorant (aluminum-free, clean scents)
Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant (baking soda or sensitive skin formula)
Primally Pure (minimal ingredients, essential oil-based scents)
6. Nail Polish
Safer Picks (Low-Toxicity “5-Free” or Better):
Zoya (10-free formula, huge color range)
Ella + Mila (7-free, vegan)
Sundays (10-free, salon-quality)
Piggy Paint Nail Polish (one of the cleanest)
7. Makeup
Safer Picks:
Ilia Beauty (clean, high-performance)
Lily Lolo (mineral-based)
100% Pure (pigmented with fruit extracts, no synthetic dyes)
Rejuva Minerals
Counter Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation (previously Beauty Counter)
Maia's Mineral Galaxy Mineral Foundation
Well People
Crunchi
Your Secret Weapon: EWG’s Skin Deep® Database
If you’re ever unsure about a product, SkinDeep.org by the Environmental Working Group is one of the best tools out there.
How it works: You search by brand, product, or ingredient and see a safety score from 1 (lowest hazard) to 10 (highest hazard).
Why it’s great: It breaks down exactly why an ingredient is flagged, whether it’s linked to cancer risk, hormone disruption, skin irritation, or environmental concerns.
Pro tip: If your exact product isn’t listed, you can still search individual ingredients from the label.
Checking your products only takes a few minutes — and once you’ve done it for a few essentials, it becomes second nature.