Your Guide to Non-Toxic Skincare

On most skincare product labels, you will see a list of ingredients. While some are familiar, like water, many have complex, intimidating names. Now here's the thing: these ingredients aren't necessarily harmful — their toxicity depends on how much is used. Even something as basic as water can be toxic if you drink too much!

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There isn’t a certification or set of laws that determines if a product is toxic or non-toxic. And a product's toxicity isn’t inherently related to its sustainability. They’re two different factors to consider.

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In Commons’ brand ratings for cleaning, beauty, and personal care products, we watch out for ingredients that harm the environment, including petrochemicals and uncertified palm oil, and ingredients derived from these sources. We also check for microplastics and reef-harmful sun care (both of which are petrochemical-derived), and flag ingredients like cocoa or mica that have environmental impacts from sourcing.

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But we know that many sustainability-minded folks are also diligent about how the ingredients they consume and come in contact with can affect their health.

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So we’ve compiled a list of ingredients commonly associated with toxicity concerns to give you more info about what they are, what they’re made from, and what we know about how they affect human health.

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Parabens

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Parabens are synthetic preservatives that have been linked to hormone disruption and imbalance in the body. These chemicals can interfere with the endocrine system and are often not clearly labeled on product ingredients.

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Commonly found in body wash, shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, and deodorants. If you’re trying to avoid parabens, also look out for ingredients such as Butylparaben, Isopropylparaben, and Methylparaben.

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Phthalates

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Phthalates are chemicals that pose health concerns due to their link to hormone disruption. Many of these chemicals aren't explicitly disclosed on product labels, often hidden under the generic terms such as fragrance or fragrance oils. Some of the commonly used Phthalates, such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), are endocrine disruptors and can interfere with reproductive functions.

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Commonly found in fragrance-containing skincare products like body wash, lotions, shampoos, and nail polishes. You can also check your labels for DBP (dibutyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), and DEHP (di-2-ethylhexylphthalate)

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PFAS or PFCs

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PFAS are used in products for their oil, stain, and water-repellent properties. These are persistent chemicals that don't break down in the environment. They have also been linked to several serious health issues, including cancer, hormone disruption, liver toxicity, and obesity.

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Commonly found in lipsticks, eyeshadows, moisturizers, nail polishes and enamel, blushers, and cleansers. Look for ingredients that contain "perfluoro" or "fluoro" in their names, though they’re often abbreviated (e.g. PFOA).

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Formaldehyde

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Formaldehyde in personal care products comes primarily from preservatives like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, and imidazolidinyl urea. These formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs) can pose health risks even at low concentrations (250 parts per million). While FRPs themselves haven't been directly linked to cancer, when combined with amines, they can form harmful nitrosamines that penetrate skin. Also, formaldehyde in cosmetics is a known skin irritant that can cause allergic reactions and rashes.

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Commonly found in nail polish, nail glue, eyelash glue, hair gel, hair-smoothing products, baby shampoo, body soap, body wash, and color cosmetics..

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Ethaloamine compounds such as MEA, DEA, and TEA

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Ethanolamines are commonly used in personal care products as emulsifiers, fragrances, and pH adjusters. When combined with certain preservatives, they can form nitrosamines, which are recognized as potential and known carcinogens by various studies. For instance, DEA can form nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), which has been linked to liver cancer and kidney tumors. DEA can also impact male reproductive health, cause organ toxicity, and potentially affect memory function and brain development in offspring through maternal exposure.

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Commonly found in products that foam, such as facial cleansers, soaps, and hair products. Also found in eye makeup, fragrances, and sunscreens.

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Cyclic Silicones

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Cyclic silicones are often used in cosmetics that soften, smooth, and moisturize our skin. They are concerning due to their potential reproductive and developmental toxicity. They can disrupt the endocrine system and are environmentally persistent, accumulating in the food chain.

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Commonly found in conditioners, hair serums, foundations, and lipsticks. Look for ingredients that end in "-siloxane" or "-methicone" on product labels such as Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, and Cyclomethicone.

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Triclosan

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Triclosan, originally a surgical antimicrobial agent, is now widely used in consumer products like soaps and detergents to prevent bacterial growth and odors. Research has shown that triclosan disrupts the endocrine system, specifically affecting thyroid function and balance.

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Commonly found in toothpastes, deodorants, and eye shadow.

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Fragrance

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Synthetic fragrances are concerning because they often contain multiple undisclosed ingredients that aren't listed on product labels. This makes it impossible to know whether the brand is using any toxic ingredients in its fragrance formulation. It's best to avoid brands that don't disclose their complete fragrance ingredients.

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Commonly found in perfumes, colognes, body lotions, creams, shampoos, and conditioners.

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