Aluminum (Pure Aluminum Powder) - Linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease; causes birth disorders in animals.

Aluminum Chloride - Human endocrine disruptor linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease; causes brain disorders in animals.

Benzoyl Peroxide - Frequently used in acne products, the MSDS states: “Facilitates action of known carcinogens.  Possible tumor promoter.  May act as mutagen; produces DNA damage in human and other mammalian cells in some concentrations.  Also, toxic by inhalation.  May be harmful if swallowed and in contact with skin.  Eye, skin and respiratory irritant.”

Bismuth Oxychloride - It is a by-product of copper & lead refining. It resembles arsenic & antimony chemically & is considered a heavy metal. Though it is a natural by-product, it often causes itching, rashes & mild to severe cystic acne. If you have had a reaction to mineral cosmetics in the past it is likely because of the bismuth oxychloride.

DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (Triethanolamine) - This foam booster is a skin / eye irritant and causes contact dermatitis.  Easily absorbed through skin to accumulate in body organs, even the brain.  Repeated use resulted in major increases of liver and kidney cancer.

Dioxin - Won’t appear on an ingredient list.  Often contained in antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, emulsifiers, PEGs and ethoxylated cleansers like Sodium Laureth Sulfate.  Dioxin causes cancer, reduced immunity, nervous system disorders, miscarriages and birth deformity.  It’s a hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects measured in the parts per trillion–one drop in 300 Olympic-size swimming pools!  Our bodies have no defense against its damage.  Most visible example was Yushchenko, the Ukrainian President, who suffered from dioxin poisoning and looked old overnight.

DMDM Hydantoin & Urea (Imidazolidinyl) - Just two of many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, cancer, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep.  Exposure may irritate the respiratory system, trigger heart palpitations or asthma, aggravate coughs and colds.

FD&C Color & Pigments - Synthetic colors from coal tar contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins in skin, causing skin sensitivity / irritation.  Absorption can cause depletion of oxygen and death.  Animal studies show almost all are carcinogenic.

Formaldehyde - Linked to leukemia, pancreatic, skin, lung, and liver cancer; banned in Canada and Japan but determined safe to use in U.S. cosmetics.

Hydroquinone - Suspected liver and stomach carcinogen; causes liver cancer; banned in Canada.

Methyl Methacrylate - Causes cancer and stomach bleeding in animals; strong neurotoxin.

Mineral Oil (Liquid Petrolatum) - Causes blood and skin cancer in animals.

Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl) - Used as preservatives and aren’t always labeled “parabens.”  They’re used in deodorants and antiperspirants and have been found in breast cancer tumors.  Parabens, as xenoestrogens (hormone disruptors), may contribute to sterility in male mice and humans.  Estrogen-like activity causes hormone imbalance in females and early puberty.

PEG (Polyethylene glycol) - Made by ethoxylating Propylene Glycol.  Dangerous levels of dioxin have been found as a by-product of the ethoxylation process.  PEGs are in everything including personal care, baby care and sunscreens.

PEG-100 Stearate - Linked to cancer in animals; suspected endocrine disruptor.

Phthalates - Xenoestrogens are commonly found in many products, usually not listed on labels.  Health effects include damage to liver/kidneys, birth defects, decreased sperm counts and early breast development in girls and boys.

Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol - Petroleum plastics act as surfactants (wetting agents, solvents). EPA considers PG so toxic it requires protective gloves, clothing, goggles and disposal by burying.  Because PG penetrates skin so quickly, EPA warns against skin contact to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities.  There is NO warning label on products where concentration is greater than in most industrial applications.

Silica - Linked to esophageal cancer, mesothelioma, sarcoma, renal disease, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchitis, rheumatoid arthritis.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - Detergents and surfactants that pose serious health threats.  Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and 90 percent of personal-care products that foam.  Animals exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and even death.  SLS may also damage skin’s immune system by causing layers to separate, inflame and age.

Sunscreen chemicals - Avobenzone, benzphenone, ethoxycinnamate, PABA are commonly used ingredients that are known free radical generators and are believed to damage DNA or lead to cancers.

Talc - Talc is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos.  Talc particles cause tumors in human ovaries and lungs.  Numerous studies have shown a strong link between frequent use of talc in the female genital area and ovarian cancer.  Talc particles are able to move through the reproductive system and become imbedded in the lining of the ovary.  For the last 30 years, scientists have closely scrutinized talc particles and found dangerous similarities to asbestos.  Responding to this evidence in 1973, the FDA drafted a resolution that would limit the amount of asbestos-like fibers in cosmetic grade talc.  However, no ruling has ever been made and today, cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by the federal government.

Toluene - Toluene is a human reproductive and developmental toxin.  It may affect the nervous system with symptoms like tiredness, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, and memory loss.  It is thought to cause liver damage and skin irritation.  In high levels it may affect the kidneys.  Toluene has been linked to birth defects in laboratory animals.

Triclosan - Synthetic “antibacterial” ingredient with chemical structure similar to Agent Orange!  EPA registers it as a pesticide, posing risks to human health and environment.  Classified as a chlorophenol, chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans.  Tufts University School of Medicine says triclosan is capable of forcing emergence of “super bugs” it cannot kill.