WHAT’S IN IT?
SODIUM LAURETH
SULFATE
Purpose
• Detergent
Adverse effects
• Skin dryness
• Eye irritation
• Penetration
enhancer
• Laureth
compounds can be
contaminated with
1,4 dioxane: a
carcinogen linked to
breast cancer.
COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
Purpose
• Detergent
Adverse effects
• Skin and eye irritation
• Penetration enhancer
• Can be contaminated with diethanolamine,
which when combined with formaldehyde
(released by other ingredients during storage)
produces carcinogenic nitrosamines (see
polyquaternium 7).
PEG-150 DISTEARATE, PEG-80 SORBITAN
LAURATE, PEG-14 M
Purpose
• Multiple, including thickener solvent,
emulsifier and surfactant
Adverse effects
• Penetration enhancer
• Skin irritation
• Peg-14M is considered unsafe to use on
damaged skin
• Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane
and ethylene oxide, which are linked to breast
cancer.
POLYQUATERNIUM-7
Purpose
• Forms film on the
skin that gives the
impression of
softness.
Adverse effects
• Contact
dermatitis
• Formaldehyde
releaser, thus a
potential carcinogen
• It may be
contaminated with
acrylamide, a central
nervous system
toxin.
TETRASODIUM EDTA
Purpose
• Preservative
Adverse effects
• Skin irritation
• Contact
dermatitis
• Contact allergies
• Eye irritation
• Penetration
enhancer.
PARAFFINUM
LIQUIDUM
Purpose
• Lubricant
emollient
Adverse effects
• Skin dryness
• Can be
contaminated with
polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs)
which studies link with
an increased risk of
breast cancer
• Penetration
enhancer.
POLYPROPYLENE
TEREPHTHALATE
Purpose
• Film former
• Type of polyester
providing a superficial
feeling of
smoothness to the
skin.
Adverse effects
• Carcinogen, linked
to pancreatic cancer
• Contains
phthalates: oestrogen
mimics linked to
breast cancer.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Purpose
• A pH adjuster
Adverse effects
• Skin and eye
irritation
• Also known as
lye, sodium
hydroxide is a
common component
of oven and drain
cleaners.
PARFUM
Purpose
• Fragrance
Adverse effects
• Can contain
artificial musks, which
are hormonedisrupting,
liver-toxic
and neurotoxic
• Triggers
asthmatic reactions
• Nervous system
reactions, such as
headaches, mood
swings, depression,
forgetfulness and
irritation are common.
METHYLPARABEN,
BUTYLPARABEN,
PROPYLPARABEN
Purpose
• Preservatives
Adverse effects
• Skin irritation
• Parabens are
oestrogen mimics:
butylparaben is the
most oestrogenic,
followed by
propylparaben,
ethylparaben and
methylparaben.