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Chemical Name Uses Possible Effects Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate Surfactant with emulsifying characteristics. Detergent
like qualities. See Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Butylparaben Preservative Skin irritant, may cause eye irritation and dermatitis
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) Preservative and antioxidant Causes dermatitis BHT (butylated hyroxytoluene) Toluene based preservative derived from petrochemicals
Causes dermatitis and is a known skin and eye irritant
Butyl Stearate Is a stearic acid used in cosmetics, emulsifier
Causes allergic reactions Cocamide DEA or MEA Synthetic surfactant Causes allergic reactions and contact dermatitis
Coco-betaine Synthetic surfactant Causes allergic skin rashes Coal Tar Is a by-product of coal production May cause dermatitis and skin cancer. Know carcinogen
DEA (diethanolamine) Emulsifying agent, solvent, detergent, used to adjust
pH value Causes allergic skin reactions, irritations, dry hair
and skin Diazolidinyl urea Antiseptic and preservative, also used as a pesticide
May cause dermatitis and release formaldehyde
DMDM Hydantoin Preservative, used in shampoos, conditioners and hand
creams Causes dermatitis, contains formaldehyde
EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid)
Binding agent and antioxidant, enables surfactants to
work more effectively, also found in soaps, cosmetics and baby lotions
May be irritating to skin and mucous membranes. May
cause allergies, rashes, asthma Formaldehyde Preservative used in shampoos and cosmetics
Acutely toxic by inhalation, internal dose or
topically Imidazolidinyl urea Preservative found in liquid soap, baby shampoo,
lotions, creams, moisturisers, also known as Germal 115 One of the most common preservatives causing contact
dermatitis Isopropyl Alcohol Petrochemical-based antibacterial and solvent used in
hair colouring, hand lotions and after-shave. Also used in antifreeze
Known skin irritant and damaging to the eyes
Isopropyl myristate Emollient and lubricant, used to lessen greasy feel of
products Causes allergic reactions, aggravates acne
Isopropyl palmitate See isopropyl myristate See isopropyl myristate Lanolin Obtained from sheep's wool, emollient, emulsifier
Can be contaminated with pesticides causing allergic
reactions Methylchloroisothiazolinane A preservative used in shampoo and liquid soap
Causes allergic reactions Mineral Oil Petrochemical ingredient used in many creams,
moisturisers and lotions Causes skin to develop clogged pores and skin can't
breathe Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl) Synthetic preservative used in cosmetics and soaps
Causes skin irritations and contact dermatitis
Paraffin Used as thickener in cosmetics See mineral oil PEG (polyethylene glycol) Synthetic binder and softener May cause hives and eczema Petrolatum (petroleum jelly) See mineral oil See mineral oil Polysorbate Fatty acid ester used in cosmetics Known skin irritant and scalp drier Propylene glycol Petrochemical based surfactant and solvent used in
creams, lotions, moisturisers, foundations, cosmetics, transparent melt
and pour soap, used in antifreeze and brake fluid Causes allergic reactions and contact dermatitis
Quaternium Preservative used in cosmetic creams Causes allergic reactions and rashes Sodium Laureth Sulfate See Sodium lauryl sulfate See Sodium lauryl sulfate Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Synthetic foaming agent, emulsifier and surfactant
used in shampoo, liquid soap, toothpaste, facial cleansers, bubble baths
Causes skin, eye and hair damage, irritant
Sorbolene Used as a base moisturiser, cream or lotion for many
handmade cosmetics, contains mineral oil, petrolatum or paraffin
Clogs the pores and can cause and irritate eczema
TEA (triethanolamine) Preservative, pH adjuster, emulsifier used in lotions,
shaving creams, soaps, shampoo and conditioners Known skin and eye irritant Tetrasodium EDTA See EDTA See EDTA Triclosan Preservative commonly found in deodorant and
antibacterial soaps Skin irritant Trisodium EDTA See EDTA See EDTA
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