The Dirty Dozen: 12 of the most toxic ingredients commonly found in beauty products

The Dirty Dozen 12 OF THE MOST TOXIC INGREDIENTS

C OMMONLY FOUND IN BEAUT Y PRODUCTS

Welcome to the Dirty Dozen! Over the next twelve pages you'll get an inside look at the beauty industry's dirty little secrets.

When it comes to nasty ingredients in personal care products, these 12 are the worst.

Think of this as your personal guide of what not to buy so you can keep you and your family safe.

Are you ready? Let’s go!

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Parabens W H AT I T I S

There's a good chance that you've read parabens on an ingredients list somewhere. It's a pretty common ingredient because it's used as a preservative in cosmetics, increasing shelf life and preventing mold and bacteria growth.

They're commonly listed as Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, I sopropylparaben – they usually always carry the word “paraben” in them, so you shouldn’t have a hard time spotting them.

WHY IT’S BAD Parabens are believed to disrupt hormone function by mimicking estrogen. Too much estrogen can trigger breast cell division and the growth of tumors, which is why parabens have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.

In 2004, a British study found traces of five parabens in the breast tissue in 19 out of 20 women studied. While their findings didn’t prove that parabens cause cancer, it did show that they were able to penetrate the skin and stay in the tissue. Parabens also aren’t great for the environment. They pollute waterways and can be found in the tissue of marine mammals.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S Happily, there are plenty of safer options out there. Choose products with natural preservatives like vitamins and essential oils, such as Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vitamin E (tocopherols), Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Rosemary Oil Extract, or Potassium Sorbate.

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Parabens Cheat Sheet

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Sulfates W H AT I T I S

Sulfates are aggressive chemicals used to create that sudsy lather we all love.

The most common sulfates are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Sulfates give you a nice soapy wash when cleaning your hair or skin, making them key players in most household soaps, shampoos, detergents, and cleaners.

WHY IT’S BAD Unfortunately, sulfates are also brutally drying. They dry out your skin, make your hair brittle and prone to breakage, and can even cause skin irritation. Sulfates can also be contaminated with dioxane, which has been known to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Because there is no requirement to list where sulfates are derived from, there is also the question as to their manufacturing process. While some can be more naturally-derived, through mineral salts and fatty alcohols from plants, many sulfates are also derived from petroleum.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S A lot of natural beauty companies replace sulfates with a safer alternative, such as vegetable oils or other sugar or vegetable-derived cleansers (commonly called glucosides) instead. And while you may not get as good of a lather, your scalp and hair will thank you.

S u l fat e s

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Sulfates Cheat Sheet

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Synthetic Fragrances W H AT I T I S

Great scented products can certainly make us smell amazing. Whether it’s our skincare, haircare or even laundry soap that contains fragrance, the desire for an addictive scent is undeniable, and that’s what Synthetic Fragrances are all about.

WHY IT’S BAD Unfortunately, synthetic fragrances are linked to a staggering number of health risks. The chemicals that synthetic fragrances are made with are the problem here. These chemicals (including phthalates which help make the scents linger longer) have been classified as allergens, hormone disruptors, asthma triggers, neurotoxins, and carcinogens. The bottom line: fragrances can be toxic.

Scarily for us, manufacturers aren’t required to list their fragrance ingredients on product labels because they are considered “trade secrets. That’s why you will often just see the ingredient “fragrance,” “parfum,” or “perfume.” So while it looks like a single ingredient, this one word can be masking a cocktail of toxic ingredients. Oh, and this doesn’t only apply to skincare. Be careful of candles, air fresheners, and anything else you breathe.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S There are great alternatives to chemical fragrances, such as essential oils, essential oil blends, or extracts from plants which can add a lovely scent to your skin and hair care products. Essential oils can even be diffused for your air freshening needs.

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Synthetic Fragrance Cheat Sheet

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Synthetic Dyes W H AT I T I S

Synthetic dyes add color and vibrancy to beauty products. When our great-grandparents were young, colorants were made from natural ingredients. This isn't the case today. Most products that currently line the shelves, including high-end cosmetics, use synthetic dyes. Commonly you can find these synthetic dyes and artificial colors listed on ingredient lists as Yellow #6, Green #3, Red #40 or FD&C* lakes (lakes are insoluble pigments) or colorants. *Food, Drug, and Cosmetics.

WHY IT’S BAD Artificial colors and dyes are made from petroleum-derived ingredients or coal tar. These ingredients are known to cause allergies, skin sensitivities, and eye irritation. These colorants are also used in food and have been linked to hyperactivity, allergies, and attention disorders.

The color yellow #6 that is frequently found in lipsticks has been linked to allergies, chromosomal damage in DNA, asthma, and eczema. It is banned in some European countries, such as Norway and Sweden. Artificial colors are also suspected of being carcinogenic (cancer-causing), so its best to avoid them.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S Luckily, there are quite a lot of natural alternatives to synthetic dyes. Think beetroot powder, chlorella powder, and in mineral makeup you can look for fruit or plant-derived colorants (berries for example) or iron oxides which are mineral-derived.

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Synthetic Dyes Cheat Sheet

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Petroleum W H AT I T I S

You'd be amazed at how many products can be made from petroleum. In fact, there are over 6,000 products out there made from the stuff. A word of caution, petroleum goes by many names including: Mineral Oil, Parrafin, Petrolatum, White Oil and Petroleum. Petroleum is often promoted as moisturizing or hydrating in products such as: lip balm, lotions, balms, soaps, baby oils and so forth. You can also find petroleum in fertilizer and insecticide. While terms such as Mineral Oil can sound pretty harmless, don't be fooled – if you see this on the ingredient list of a beauty product, it's just a fancy way for saying that it includes petroleum.

WHY IT’S BAD Petroleum derived ingredients can have quite an adverse effect on your body.

They may contain contaminants, can clog your pores, increase your risk of acne and blackheads, or trigger dizziness and headaches. Even worse, when exposed to petroleum-derived products, your skin absorbs the chemicals (some of which can potentially cause cancer), filtering into your bloodstream. It's dangerous for everyone, but especially for children and pregnant women and their babies.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S Thankfully, there are a lot of natural alternatives out there to petroleum, which include unrefined coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, organic waxes and butters like shea, cocoa, mango.

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Petroleum Cheat Sheet

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Formaldehyde W H AT I T I S

Formaldehyde works as a preservative in cosmetics, prolonging self-life and preventing bacterial or fungal growth. It's listed on abels as DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium-15, Bronopol, 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane and Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.

WHY IT’S BAD Formaldehyde is easily absorbed through the skin and filtered into the bloodstream, causing chest pain, nose and throat irritation, respiratory issues, allergies in children and even an increased risk of cancer.

The American Cancer Society states that “[e]xposure to relatively high amounts of formaldehyde in medical and occupational settings has been linked to some types of cancer in humans but the effects of exposure in small amounts is less clear.” While the effects of exposure to small amounts of formaldehyde are “less clear,” it’s probably best to simply stay away from known toxins. In our opinion, it’s best to simply stay away from known toxins.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S Better, natural preservatives include rosemary extract, radish root ferment filtrate, vitamin E (tocopherols), potassium sorbate and many others.

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Formaldehyde Cheat Sheet

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Heavy Metals W H AT I T I S

Heavy metals are naturally occurring metals with high densities, such as cadmium, mercury, lead, arsenic, and aluminum. It’s not just light bulbs or thermometers that contain toxic metals like mercury. Makeup, moisturizers, foundations, lip glosses, eye drops, teeth whitening treatments, and toothpaste often include heavy metal ingredients. Stay away from ingredients like Cotton Seed Oil, Aluminum, Petroleum, Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, FD&C colorants, dyes.

Note, you will very rarely—if ever—see a heavy metal listed clearly on a label, so it’s important to know what ingredients to look for.

WHY IT’S BAD Heavy metals are toxic to the body and can be poisonous when accumulated in your soft tissue. While some heavy metals are essential minerals for the body, they are assimilated in VERY small amounts (think zinc, chromium, manganese, and iron). Too much of them can lead to heavy metal poisoning resulting in headaches, sickness, abdominal pain, organ failure, and can also cause "inexplicable" ailments from infertility to seizures.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S Look instead for clean oils such as organic oils of jojoba, rosehip seed, argan, apricot, olive, and sunflower. As for colorants and pigments, try plant or fruit powders such as beets or berries.

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Heavy Metals Cheat Sheet

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Triclosan W H AT I T I S

Great scented products can certainly make us smell amazing. Whether it’s our skincare, haircare or even laundry soap that contains fragrance, the desire for an addictive scent is undeniable, and that’s what Synthetic Fragrances are all about.

WHY IT’S BAD Unfortunately, synthetic fragrances are linked to a staggering number of health risks. The chemicals that synthetic fragrances are made with are the problem here. These chemicals (including phthalates which help make the scents linger longer) have been classified as allergens, hormone disruptors, asthma triggers, neurotoxins, and carcinogens. The bottom line: fragrances can be toxic.

Scarily for us, manufacturers aren’t required to list their fragrance ingredients on product labels because they are considered “trade secrets. That’s why you will often just see the ingredient “fragrance,” “parfum,” or “perfume.” So while it looks like a single ingredient, this one word can be masking a cocktail of toxic ingredients. Oh, and this doesn’t only apply to skincare. Be careful of candles, air fresheners, and anything else you breathe.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S There are great alternatives to chemical fragrances, such as essential oils, essential oil blends, or extracts from plants which can add a lovely scent to your skin and hair care products. Essential oils can even be diffused for your air freshening needs.

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Triclosan Cheat Sheet

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Propylene & Butylene Glycol W H AT I T I S Also known as solvents, these two nasties of the beauty product world, are used as preservatives in a large assortment of cosmetic products. They can be found listed on labels as Dihydroxypropane, Propanediol, Methyl Glycol, Trimethyl Glycol, Butanediol, Dihydroxybutane or simply as propylene glycol and butylene glycol. You can find them in anything from mascaras to concealers, soaps, shampoos, hairspray, creams, lotions and everything in between. You even find it in the liquid used in e-cigarettes.

WHY IT’S BAD According to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on Propylene Glycol, the chemical is a strong skin irritant and has been linked to dermatitis. It can also inhibit skin cell growth and can damage cell membranes, cause rashes, dry skin and surface damage.

Butylene Glycol has been linked to many of the same skin conditions and irritations, but additional side effects can include depression, drowsiness, and hives.

It also clogs your pores‌ so definitely not something you want on your body.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S More natural alternatives to these toxic chemicals in beauty products include vegetable-derived glycerin, organic oils, butters and as well as other natural ingredients.

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Propylene & Butylene Glycol

Cheat Sheet

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Phthalates W H AT I T I S

Phthalates are a group of chemicals that make plastics more flexible and are used in a wide variety of products, such as toys, vinyl flooring, wall coverings, detergents, lubricating oils, food packaging, pharmaceuticals, blood bags and tubing, and even some cosmetic and personal care products. Yep. You read that right. For example, they are used in nail polish to prevent it from getting brittle and cracking. See them in hairspray for a flexible hold and as solvents, odor maskers, and as hair conditioners. When reading a label, look for Phthalate, DEP, DBP, DEHP, and Fragrance. But you will rarely see “phthalates” listed on an ingredient list. A loophole in federal law allows phthalates (and other chemicals) to be added to fragrances without disclosure.

WHY IT’S BAD Health concerns stemming from phthalates include endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and even cancer. Research has found in adult male humans that reduced sperm quality and male infertility are associated with some phthalates. The National Toxicology Program and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found sufficient evidence in laboratory animals that phthalates are carcinogenic.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S Safer options include resins such as Peru Balsam or essential oils to avoid “fragrance” and organic oils and butters for moisturization, hydration and conditioning. ​ 17

Phthalates Cheat Sheet

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Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, + Octinoxate W H AT I T I S

These nasty, man-made chemicals are most commonly used as UV filters in products like sunscreen and SPF lip balm. You will see them listed as active ingredients on the drug facts of chemical sunscreens. These chemicals absorb into your skin to create sun protection, whereas non-toxic mineral sunscreens create a protective layer on top of your skin.

WHY IT’S BAD Where do we start with the long list of reasons these chemicals are bad? As far as humans are concerned, there is a large range of side effects including skin allergies, acne, lowered testosterone and hormone disruption, phototoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and the list goes on.

Not only are these toxic chemicals harmful to you, but they are also detrimental to the environment. They have been found to bleach the coral in our reefs, damaging their DNA and harming their development - all from the wash off of humans wearing it into the ocean.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S A non-toxic alternative is to go for mineral sunscreens that contain non-nano zinc oxide, which provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Non-nano is important here because it ensures that the particle size of the zinc is large enough so as not to be absorbed through the skin.

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Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, + Octinoxate

Cheat Sheet

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Retinol W H AT I T I S

Retinol—or Vitamin A—is a popular ingredient in beauty products because it's touted as a great way to prevent skin aging and is considered "natural;" however not all naturally occurring substances are necessarily good for you or without undesirable by-products. When reading ingredient labels, look for Retinol, Vitamin A, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, all-trans Retinoic Acid, and Tretinoin.

WHY IT’S BAD Retinol slowly breaks down your skin's natural protective barrier, causing long-term damage. Other side effects include burning, stinging, redness, and even excessively dry skin if used regularly—not to mention photosensitivity and increased risk of skin cancer when used on sun-exposed skin. Is this just the cost of looking younger? Not necessarily, since there are plenty of ingredients that promote youthful skin without painful side effects.

S O M E N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S Luckily, there are plenty of natural anti-aging alternatives, including bakuchiol, mango butter, seaweed extract, chicory root and always good organic oils like Argan, Rosehip Seed, and Jojoba.

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Retinol Cheat Sheet

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LIKE YOU, WE'RE BEAUTIFUL FROM THE INSIDE OUT Here at Beauty by Earth, we’re devoted to pure, effective ingredients that overflow with natural goodness. Our award-winning, non-toxic and always cruelty-free products unleash your natural beauty while helping you, your family and the planet thrive. Why? Because we believe everyone deserves skincare products that bring out their best, without hidden toxins or ludicrous price tags.

I N G R E D I E N T S R E A L LY D O M AT T E R !

We’re on a mission to create the most effective products with the cleanest ingredients that can be found on earth. Again, don’t just take our word for it – check out our safety ratings on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database®.

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