Alkyl-phenol-ethoxylades: They are used as surfactants in some cleaning products and detergents, even though they do not biodegrade easily after they are washed down the drain. They can be found in shampoo, hair dye and spermicide. They can cause negative reactions and have been shown to be toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. Exposure to them may disrupt the body's natural hormone signals that regulate reproduction and development as it has been found to mimic estrogen in the body. Has also been found to reduce male sperm count. Has been found to cause estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells to multiply in a test tube, and animal studies have found smaller testicles and decreased sperm counts in rats whose mothers were exposed to octylphenol in the womb. Otherwise known as nonoxynol, octoxynol, nonylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol thoxylate, octylphenol ethoxylate
 
Aluminum: Used as an additive in coloured cosmetics, particularly eyeshadow. Also used in deodorants and anti-perspirants. Listed as carcinogenic, toxic and mutagenic. Aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that regular use of products with aluminum compounds can increase your risk of Alzheimer's by 300%. Since your body has no use for aluminum, it considers it a toxin and must treat it as such.

      Ammonium laureth sulphate: It is easily absorbed by the skin and can cause negative reactions. It is carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic. It is present in some hair and bubble bath products. 

Benzene: It is a known bone-marrow poison which is carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic. Benzene is a highly toxic material that can be deadly when you are exposed to a small amount (20,000 ppm) for as little as 5 - 10 minutes. The use of large quantities of benzene is now prohibited in many instances. But it is still used in combination with other chemicals in many personal care products.

Benzoyl peroxide can be found in many acne treatment products. This is primarily because of the antibacterial activity that it displays. Benzoyl peroxide is marketed under a variety of trade names in over 200 formulations. Benzoyl peroxide is absorbed in the skin, then metabolized to benzoic acid and finally excreted as benzoate in the urine. Benzoyl peroxide has been found to cause skin irritation in many cases including burning, blistering, crusting, itching, severe redness, and skin rash.

Butylated hydroxianisole (BHA) & Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT): BHA and BHT are preservatives commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products as well as in food products. BHT may cause harm if ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. When it is absorbed through the skin it is stored in the body tissues. There is a wide range of possible adverse effects; from mild irritation of the skin or eyes to severe destruction of the tissue. It is also irritating to the mucous membranes and the upper respiratory tract.

Calamine: Calamine contains about 5% Zinc Oxide (which can clog pores) and quite a bit of Phenol, which is very toxic to the skin. In 1992, the FDA tried banning calamine, but was unsuccessful.

Carbomer 934, 940, 941, 960, 961: Used as a thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer in creams, toothpaste, eye makeup, bathing products. It is known to cause irritations and allergic reactions. It has a highly acidic pH when diluted in 1% water solution.

Cocomidopropyl Betaine: Found in shampoo in combination with other surfactants. There are three types available: synthetic, semi-synthetic and naturally derived. The synthetic form has been found to cause eyelid dermatitis, and the semi-synthetic may cause similar effects. The natural form is less drying and more emollient. Be cautious of the synthetic or semi-synthetic form of this product.

DEA, TEA, and MEA: DEA is an emulsifier, wetting agent, pH adjustor and foaming agent. It is additionally used to convert acid to salt, which forms a cleansing base. DEA is generally listed on ingredients lists along with the compound that it is neutralizing e.g. Lauramide DEA, Stearamide MEA etc.

Diethanolamine (DEA) is also a synthetic solvent, detergent and humectant.  It is often used in brake fluid, industrial degreasers and antifreeze.  It is also found in personal care products such as liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner as well as. hair dye, lotions, cream, bubble bath, liquid dishwashing detergent & laundry soap. It is an irritant to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, hair and skin dryness. DEA and TEA are easily contaminated with nitrosamines, which are known to be carcinogens. The FDA did two studies showing that 27 out of 29 cosmetics contained high levels of Nitroso-Diethanolamine. DEA is easily absorbed through the skin, and can accumulate in the organs of the body. Animal tests have shown that it causes damage to the liver, kidney, brain, spinal cord, bone marrow, and skin. If it comes into contact with the eyes it can cause impaired vision.

Dimethylamine: Can cause allergic dermatitis. Has been shown to have carcinogenic properties.

Dioform: Present in many toothpastes and tooth whiteners . Can damage your tooth enamel and weaken their protective shell.

Disodium EDTA: May contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and/or dixane, both potent toxins.  EDTA is used as a stabilizer, viscosity adjuster and chelating compound in cosmetic products. These chelating agents are cytotoxic and weakly genotoxic, but not carcinogenic. Oral exposures to EDTA produced negative reproductive and developmental effects in animals. Clinical tests showed no absorption of an EDTA salt through the skin, however it is likely that EDTA could increase the penetration of other chemicals into the skin because of their ability to chelate calcium. Therefore EDTA could affect the safety of using other ingredients which had previously been determined to be safe, primarily because they were not significantly absorbed.

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