Do you know what's really in your skincare formulas?
What we put on our on our bodies is just as important as what we put inside them. Toxic skincare ingredients found in cosmetic products are absorbed into the bloodstream and have been linked to numerous health issues, from skin irritation to cancer.
Below is our list of toxic skincare ingredients to avoid. It's organized by the name of the ingredient, along with WHAT it is, WHERE it's found, WHY it made our list, and HOW it's listed on your labels.
7 Toxic Skincare Ingredients to Avoid
Bookmark this list of toxic skincare ingredients for empowered beauty choices!
1. Parabens
What: Preservatives
Where: Cosmetic products that have water and oil to prevent microbial growth and extend shelf life
Why: Endocrine disruptors, possibly carcinogenic, found in blood, can cause skin irritations
How: Methyl/ethyl/butyl/isobutyl/propyl paraben
2. MEA, DEA, or TEA
What: Surfactants (increases foam), emulsifiers (bind ingredients)
Where: Face and body washes, shampoos, hair colors
Why: Possibly carcinogenic, eye irritation, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, skin rashes and irritations
How: MEA (Monoethanolamine), DEA (Diethanolamine), or TEA (Triethanolamine)
3. Phthalates
What: Plasticizers, fragrance solvents
Where: Many perfumes and scented products
Why: Endocrine disrupters, respiratory toxicants, can cause birth defects and infertility in males, may lead to pregnancy loss in females, may alter childhood brain development
How: Commonly hidden under “fragrance” or “parfum” (unless identified as 100% essential oils); Anything with “phthalate” in its name, or DBP, DEHP, DMP, DEP
4. PEG Compounds
What: Surfactants (increases foam), emulsifiers (binds ingredients), humectants (retains moisture)
Where: Soaps, shampoos, creams, makeup
Why: May be contaminated with carcinogens like 1,4-dioxane, may cause birth defects and infertility
How: “PEG”
5. Sulfates
What: Surfactants (increases foam), emulsifiers (binds ingredients)
Where: Face wash, body wash, shampoos, soaps, toothpaste
Why: Redness, dryness, itchiness, may be contaminated with carcinogens like 1,4 dioxane
How: Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium salt sulphuric acid, monododecyl ester.
6. Synthetic Colors + Dyes
What: Synthetic colorants
Where: Tinted/colored skincare, bodycare, soaps
Why: Dyes are often derived from coal tar or other petroleum byproducts, can be carcinogenic
How: FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6
7. Artificial Fragrance
What: Scent
Where: Synthetically-scented cosmetics and perfumes
Why: The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 hidden chemicals. May cause headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation.If a product is all-natural, "fragrance" or "parfum" should be followed by a clarifier (i.e, "100% essential oils.")
How: “Fragrance” or “Parfum” (without a clarifier)
Savor Beauty's promise to you is to develop products that are:
CRUELTY-FREE
PARABEN-FREE
SULFATE-FREE
PHTHALATE-FREE
FORMALDEHYDE-FREE
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE-FREE
All Savor Beauty products are:
MADE IN NEW YORK
MADE WITH 100% NATURAL INGREDIENTS
MADE ETHICALLY
MADE BY HAND
MADE BY WOMEN