It seems like all of a sudden, there’s much ado about toxicants in beauty and wellness products these days. But believe me, it’s for a very good reason. Unfortunately, not every ingredient in the products we use is safe for our bodies.
Good for us, however, education has created a greater awareness about ingredient toxicity and ultimately, a growing demand for safer and better. So all the ado is simply the amplification of voices in unison for safer and healthier ingredients. We deserve them and we’re getting them.
It’s also important to note that living in a toxicant-free world is currently impossible. While you cannot control the toxicant in the environment and even all that’s in your home, you can control the toxicant load that’s absorbed and taken into your body. You can decide what you put on your skin. You can decide what you put in your mouth, and you can decide what lurks around your household.
Limiting the toxic load in your body, limits the toxic overload in your liver and allows the liver to effectively do the job it’s meant to do, detoxify.
There are thousands, yes, thousands of toxicants found in beauty and wellness products, and of course, food (but that’s a whole other blog). So if you’re a newbie this list is a great way to break the ice and get familiar with thirteen toxins that might be lurking in your beauty and wellness products.
Coal Tar Dyes
What it’s used for: an active ingredient in OTC drug products. Biocides: used to kill lice, gets rid of dandruff
Concerns: allergen, immunotoxicity, carcinogen (cancer-causing), organ system toxicity
Found In: hair products-hair dyes, shampoos, scalp treatments, lotions, soaps, cosmetics
Dimethicone
What it’s used for: a.k.a. polymethylsiloxane, is an anti-foaming agent, skin conditioner, skin lubricant
Concerns: organ system toxicity, irritant, allergens
Found In: bath & body products, skin-care products
Formaldehyde
What it’s used for: a preservative
Concerns: immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, skin irritant, carcinogen. reproductive toxicity
Found In: bath & body products, eyelash glue, nail polishes
** Other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: DMDM Hydantion, IMIDAZolidinyl urea, Diazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, 1-4 Dioxane, methenamine
Heavy Metals
What it’s used for: heavy metals include MERCURY (preservative, antimicrobial), LEAD, IRON, ARSENIC, CHROMIUM.
Concerns: organ system toxicity, reproductive toxicity, irritant, carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, environmental hazard
Found In: eye drops, cosmetics, whitening toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturizers
Hydroquinone
What it’s used for: skin lighter; bleaching the skin, which decreases melanin production in the skin cells
Concerns: organ toxicity, skin irritant, carcinogen
Found In: some cosmetics, skin lightening creams
Mineral Oil
What it’s used for: skin moisturizer
Concerns: Allergen, carcinogen, organ toxicity
Found In: bath & body products, skin-care products, cosmetics
Nanomaterial
What it’s used for: preservatives, UV filters, stabilizer
Concerns: reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity,
Found In: deodorants, toothpaste, shampoos, lotions, foundation, anti-aging creams, and nail polish
Paraben
What it’s used for: a preservative and a hormone disruptor that mimics the hormone estrogen
Concerns: immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, skin irritant, a carcinogen. reproductive toxicity
Found In: bath & body products, oral care products, personal care products, cosmetics
Phthalate (pronounced “tha-late”)
What it’s used for: a plasticizer used to moisturize and soften the skin, blend ingredients and create flexibility
Concerns: carcinogen, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruptor, developmental toxicity,
Found In: nail polish (with dibutyl phthalate), personal care products, fragrances, hair spray
Polysorbate
What it’s used for: are ethoxylated ingredients (polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80 etc.) and are used as an emulsifier, denaturant, fragrance ingredient, surfactant
Concerns: organ system toxicity, carcinogen
Found In: bath & body products, hair products, skin-care products
Propylene Glycol
What it’s used for: a.k.a. anti-freeze. Changes the structure of the skin to allow ingredients to penetrate the skin.
Concerns: neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity
Found In: cosmetics, food, moisturizers
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate
What it’s used for: a cleansing agent/surfactant, denaturant that creates a lather to increase the effectiveness of cleansers
Concerns: organ system toxicity, irritant, a hormone disruptor
Found In: bath & body products, shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste,
Talc
What it’s used for: absorb moisture, smooth or soften products, prevent caking, and make makeup opaque
Concerns: organ system toxicity, carcinogen, irritation
Found In: Baby powder, body and shower products, lotions, feminine hygiene products, eyeshadow, foundation, lipstick, deodorants and face masks.

Dixie Lincoln- Nichols is a biological science educator, health and wellbeing consultant and Qigong instructor. Her work has been featured in media outlets like, Oprah Mag, SELF, Yahoo and more. She is the founder of Inside Outer Beauty Market, a multi-cultutal retailer curating and creating products to support the body inside and out. Visit the site at www.iobeautymarket.com