The 24 Forbidden Skincare Ingredients
Skin2Skin®, The Healthy Skincare Experts

Forbidden Skincare Ingredients to avoid:

Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40) – drying and irritating strips skin of natural acid mantle making skin vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses.

Anionic Surfactants – foaming agent may be carcinogenic can cause serious health threat.

Benzalkonium Chloride – used in acne products and a preservative irritant to the skin DO NOT Swallow Highly Toxic.

Butylate Hydroxyanisole (BHA) – is a proved human carcinogen and causes skin allergies.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) – irritant to the skin.

Dioxane – used in skin care cream to make strong chemicals milder that the State of California determined as a known cancer-causing ingredient.

Ethoxylated Surfactants – Foaming agent.

Isothiazolinone – preservative corrosive to the skin and eyes.

FD & C Color Pigments – synthetic colors made from coal and tar casing skin sensitivity and irritation may be carcinogenic.

Fragrance – can indicate the presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients, many are toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms my include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing, vomiting, and skin irritation. Fragrance can also affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, and irritability.

Imidazolidinyl Urea – trade name is Germall 115, releases formaldehyde, a carcinogenic chemical into cosmetics at over 10 C = 50 F.

Methylisothiazolinone & Methylchloroisothiazolinone – cause cosmetic allergies and potentially dangerous neuron-toxic effects use in shampoos & lotions.

Mineral Oil – petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic that clogs the pores, interferes with the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Will slow down skin function and cell development all resulting in premature aging. Can also be contaminated with PAH’s (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) a cancer-causing element.

Paraben preservatives (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl word starts with) – man made Parabens are known to be toxic and have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes.

Paraffin wax /oil – is a mineral oil wax Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) – potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin’s natural moisture factor increasing premature aging.

Petroleum by products used in cosmetics:

  • Mineral oil – see Mineral oil.
  • Paraffin wax – see Paraffin wax/oil.
  • Toluene- See below
  • Benzene – Used in synthetic fragrances sweet smelling evaporates fast, possible cancer-causing agent.
  • Parfum or fragrance—95 percent of chemicals used in fragrance are from petroleum. This one word can contain many, many chemicals that do not need to be listed and are likely endocrine disrupters.

Phthalates – a plastic softener or solvents is found in skin care products that are found in leading beauty care products including hair spray, deodorant, nail polish and fragrance / perfume. Studies have shown that it can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system and especially the developing testes of children.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) & Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES) – when combined with other chemicals they can create nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens. Frequently disguised in semi-natural skin care products.

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate – foaming agent may be carcinogenic can cause serious health threat.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) – foaming agent may cause eye damage, central nervous system depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, and server skin irritation.

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate – foaming agent may be carcinogenic can cause serious health threat.

Stearalkonium Chloride – used in hair conditioners and creams that causes allergic reactions is a fabric softener used as an alternative to proteins and herbals for hair health because it is cheaper and is considered toxic.

Talc – studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder in the genital area is associated with a 3-to-4-fold increase in the development of ovarian cancer. A crystal that is related to asbestoses if breathed can cause lung damage.

Toluene – found in nail polish, nail treatments and cuticle treatments are harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. This is a flammable liquid and vapor that can cause severe skin and eye irritation very toxic to the body, animals, and environment.