FDC-n (FD&C): These are available in a variety of colours and are found in a huge range of products. Most are coal tar derived, and many scientists believe that adequate safety levels have not been established for each colour category. Some are basically just irritants while others are strong carcinogens. Some artificial colors also contain heavy metal impurities such as arsenic and lead. These metals are carcinogens. Artificial (Synthetic) Colors are labeled FD&C (Food, Drug or Cosmetics) or D&C (Drugs or Cosmetics). This designation is followed by a color and then a number e.g. FD&C Red No. 6. The FDA warns on its consumer website: "You may, however, want to avoid consuming huge quantities of any one color additive. Good sense is the best policy. As with many other food ingredients, don't overuse any one product. Practice everything in moderation.”  Coal tar has been known to cause acne and as a result some of the Drug & Cosmetic red dyes are comedogenic.

Fluoride: Used in a variety of tooth care products, especially toothpaste. It is supposed to stop tooth decay. Fluoridated toothpaste is of particular concern when used by young children who tend to swallow it after brushing their teeth. Scientists are now linking fluoride to dental deformity, arthritis, allergic reactions, and Crohn's disease. Fluoride causes the immune system to become unable to distinguish between the body’s own proteins and disease, which can lead to autoimmune conditions, such as asthma and Graves’ disease. Because fluoride is a mutagen, it can cause the uncontrolled spread of certain types of cells, including cancer. Because your body can only eliminate about half the fluoride you ingest, this toxin builds up in your system over time. This causes its negative effects to be multiplied the older you get.

Formaldehyde: It is a colourless gas with vapours that are extremely irritating to mucous membranes. Can be found in nail polish and hardeners, soap, cosmetics and hair growing products. Also known as DMDM hydantoin or MDM hydantion or Formalin. Causes dermatitis, and ingestion can cause severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding, vertigo, coma, and a loss of ability to urinate. It is very toxic when inhaled, a severe skin irritant, and a suspected carcinogen that is linked to cancer. It is banned from use in cosmetics in Japan and Sweden.

Fragrance: Almost all personal care products (including baby products) contain fragrance. Many of the compounds in fragrances are carcinogenic or toxic. Fragrances are the most common cause of allergies and irritant reactions to cosmetics. The FDA does not require manufacturers to list the ingredients of a "fragrance." When you see the word "fragrance," it can have up to 4,000 separate chemicals. There is often no way of knowing what these chemicals are, or if they are carcinogens since the label simply states "Fragrance", and these items do not have to list their chemical constituents. Some problems you may experience when exposed to these chemicals may be: headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, forgetfulness, irritability, hyperactivity, visual problems, clumsiness, watery eyes, stuffy nose, skin rash, skin discoloration, depression, mood changes, inability to concentrate, and sleep problems. Remember that a product labeled "unscented" may in fact contain a fragrance to mask other chemical odors. A product must be marked "fragrance-free" or "without perfume" to indicate nothing has been added to make it smell good. Some fragrance reactions occur only when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea: Also known as Germall II and Germall 115. Used in powders, baby shampoo, bath oils, colognes, eye shadows, blushes, hair tonics, and lotions. Causes dermatitis. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care products, antiperspirants, and nail polish contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients. These are the second most commonly used preservatives next to parabens. They have long been recognized as a primary cause of skin irritations. Additionally, they release formaldehyde, a toxic chemical, at very low temperatures (just over 10°). Neither of the Germall chemicals have good anti-fungal properties, so they must be combined with other preservatives. Exposure to formaldehyde releasing products may cause allergies, nose congestion, nausea, headaches, dizziness, ear infections, chronic fatigue, depression, asthma, chest pains, and loss of sleep. But more seriously, formaldehyde is toxic to the immune system, a human mutagen, and is carcinogenic.

Lanolin: Lanolin, an animal by-product, is made from the fatty secretions of sheep’s wool. Lanolin is not used in its pure form because it commonly causes allergies. Even so, cosmetic grade lanolin may be contaminated with carcinogenic pesticides such as DDT, dieldrin and lindane. Pesticides are likely to penetrate through your skin and into your bloodstream.

Methyl Chloroisothiazolinine: Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and causes adverse reactions.

Mineral Oil: Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil and petrolatum is mineral oil jelly. Both are used as industrial lubricants. Mineral oil is the main cause of that greasy after-feel on the skin; it can attract dirt and causes blackheads and eruptions. It can accelerate free radical damage, and as a consequence speeds up the aging process, because it causes toxins to build up in the skin. Mineral Oil is far cheaper than any natural oil and is colourless and odorless. Because of these properties it is often used in the cosmetic industry to fill up space in a bottle and to make the shelf life last between 3-5 years. It has no proven benefit to the skin. The skin cannot absorb mineral oil, so mineral oil remains in the pores. This means moisturizers don’t absorb as effectively. On top of this, mineral oil is not water soluble, so it cannot be rinsed off. It sits on the skin, drying your skin, clogging the pores and causing acne. It can also promote skin photosensitivity. Products that contain mineral oil and petrolatum can actually create the very conditions they are intended to treat. Petrolatum exhibits many of the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil.

Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC): This chemical is present in 90 per cent of sunscreen brands. The chemical is used as a filter for the more harmful UVB light. It has been suggested that human cells could be damaged if a sunscreen containing OMC penetrates the outer layer of dead skin and comes into contact with living tissue. Sunscreens should be treated with caution, and used only when it is impractical to stay indoors or to shield the skin from the sun with clothes.

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