aluminum ingredients
Skin irritants, can cause Alzheimer's, lung disease.

ammonium ingredients
Toxic, carcinogenic.

aroma
Usually a mix of synthetic and natural fragrances-see fragrance below

benzoates
Implicated in a wide variety of health problems including testicular cancer, cell mutation, and other cancers.

benzyl alcohol
Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Severe irritant for eyes, skin and respiratory system; petrochemical.

BHA and BHT
Cancer, encourage the breakdown of vitamins such as vitamin D; can cause lipid and cholesterol levels to increase; endocrine disrupter.

coal tar
(petrochemical. look for cade tar or pine tar instead) low-level exposure is linked to cancer.

colorants (FD&C, D&C and other coal tar dyes)
Carcinogens, topical irritants, may cause acne and skin irritations; may contain aluminums, some have caused tumors in rats; low-level exposure is linked to cancer.

dimethicone
Cancer suspect; pore clogging; caused tumors and mutation in lab animals.

dea ingredients
(all ingredients with DEA after the first word such as cocamide - dea) cause cancer.

DMAE-Dimethylaminoethanol
Science has not yet reached a conclusive, supportable, position on the exact function(s) of DMAE; it is marketed as "face lift in a bottle," however, what it does is temporarily paralyze the small muscles of the face, making it seem like wrinkles are less visible; no long term results of application are yet known.

formaldehyde
Is often hidden in other ingredients, banned in Sweden and Japan mainly because of its inability to inhibit the growth of acid producing bacteria and it's implication in cancer.

fragrance
Highly allergenic; no one has to list the chemicals used in fragrances; contains large quantities of toxins and chemicals not disclosed.

glycerin 
Look for vegetable glycerin; glycerin without the vegetable qualifier usually means petrochemical.

hydroquinone
Toxic, irritant, banned in Europe, used as a bleaching agent; allergenic and highly toxic.

Idebenone
A synthetic analogue of coenzyme Q10.

imidazalidol urea
Strong irritant, may contain formaldehyde.

laureth family 
(sodium lauryl sulfate, any ingredient with laureth or lauryl in the name) carcinogenic, skin irritants; contains ammonium salts, mutagen; acne producing.

mineral oil
Often used in lip balms, body lotions and face creams. Extremely cheap petrochemical made out of petroleum. Covers skin like a plastic wrap; interrupts skin oxygenation; may cause premature aging of skin.

methylisothiazolinone

agent found in some shampoos and hand creams and widely used in industrial settings inhibits the development of particular neuron structures that are essential for transmitting signals between cells.

octyl stearate
Acne producing, contact dermatitis, allergic reactions.

oxybenzone
Chemical sun protector, very allergenic; promotes cell growth in uterine cancer cells and breast cancer cells.

paba
May cause formation of nitrosamines, cause photosensitivity, being studied for carcinogenic implications.

parabens-petro-chemicals 
(methyl, propyl, etc. - paraben family) implicated in a multitude of health problems, estrogenic, cancer causing, allergenic, found in breast tissue, replicates in DNA, stored in fat cells.

PEG ingredients
Carcinogens, acne promoters, contact dermatitis.

petroleum 
(petrolatum, mineral oils, vaseline) acne producing, may be carcinogenic, causes dry skin, respiratory toxin, may cause dizziness.

phenoxyethanol

ether alcohol preservative; synthetic preservatives are considered by leading dermatological associations to be the number one cause of contact dermatitis.

phenonip 
Preservative blend of Phenoxyethanol, Methylparben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, & Isobutylparaben.

phthalates 
Carcinogens, mutation agents, stored in fat cells-they make perfume set and plastics bend. found in most mainstream cosmetics, glues, nail polish and some plastics.

propylene glycol
Well known " anti freeze", found in many skin care products. Easily absorbed solvent that causes contact dermatitis, skin irritations, acne and allergies.

stearics
(acids and other types) carcinogenic.

talc
Can contain asbestos, do not use on babies, linked to ovarian cancer, respiratory toxin.

TEA ingredients 
(not tea, but rather ingredients with TEA in front such as Tea lauryl sulfate) severe irritants, can contain ammonium salts, eye irritant, sensitizer; may cause formation of carcinogens, mildly toxic.

tocopherol acetate
Synthetic vitamin E, contact dermatitis and cancer suspect, carcinogen.

triclosan 
Chemical preservative and bactericide; destroys skin-protecting microorganisms; permeates skin and can cause severe liver damage.