Aluminium Compounds

• Many aluminium compounds are used in cosmetics
• They are toxic and cause allergic reactions

AZO Colours, AZO Compounds

• Resin used to thicken, stabilise and to prevent freeze damage of cosmetics, it can cause allergic reactions and is toxic

Fragrance

• Often listed in formulas or ingredients in skin care products and sometimes used in homemade beauty products
• They are synthetic and can have an accumulative effect causing skin problems
• Often contain hundreds of ingredients including carcinogens like methyl chloride

Formaldehyde

• Used in cosmetics as a preservative
• One of the most common and most toxic chemicals commonly used
• Formaldehyde is a noted cacogenic, it causes damage to the DNA and is recognised as the main trigger for chemical sensitivity

Isopropyl Palmitate Lanolate

• Coconut and lanolin derived, but contains synthetic chemicals
• Used in moisturising creams
• Can have allergic reactions and its actual toxicity is unknown

Lanolin

• Comes from the wool of sheep which is regularly dipped in chemicals

Synthetic cleansers

• Synthetic molecules are too big to penetrate the skin, thus a cause a clogging effect

Mineral Oils, Petroleum Jelly and Sorbolene Cream

• Mineral Oils have an occlusive effect on the skin. They form a barrier which prevents the evaporation of water through the skin
• This causes fluid retention, sometimes irritation and block pores
• Prolonged use of this oil actually removes sebum or the natural oils from the skin
• Both mineral oil and petroleum jelly have been shown to be allergenic
• Petroleum products are made from petrol

Parabens

• Cosmetic companies use parabens to extend the shelf life of the product, including:
  - Metyl paraben
  - Propyl paraben and
  - Butyl paraben
• Parabens in skincare products may create a mild oestrogenic effect which may alter the balance of the user’s hormones
• They have a proven cacogenic effect
• They keep the skin care product on the outer layer of the skin, so that no moisture can come in or out
• They are Toxic and made from a synthetic chemicals

Paraffin Wax

• Used in creams, lipsticks and eyebrow pencils
• Sourced from coal and petroleum
• Despite paraffin based creams often being recommended by dermatologists, many paraffin waxes are cacogenic
• Surfactants
• Are found in many cosmetics and hair care products. They hold the oils and water together
• Many are detergents which are harsh and drying to the skin, home made beauty products 

Polyethylene Glycols (PEGS)

• Suspected carcinogens