Ingredients to Avoid

So you want to read labels do you?

Given that MERCURY is known to cause brain damage even at low levels, not only are we curious as to why it is allowed in cosmetics but also we are also curious as to why companies would knowingly use mercury in their products. It is also on the ingredient list of some eye drops as well. Also listed as: Thimerosal, Mercury, Mercuric Oxide, Phenyl Mercuric Acetate, Phenyl Mercuric Benzoate 

Banned from gasoline and house paint when it was discovered that it damages the developing brain of a child, LEAD is still allowed in hair dye. We are still trying to figure this out as well. (If you can figure that out, we would like to know!) It has been banned in Canada and Europe but is still allowed here in the US. Listed as: Lead Acetate

The next ingredient on our list will break your heart. You know it and love it….FRAGRANCE. Yes, sadly enough Fragrance is a huge loophole in federal law. Companies don’t have to disclose the ingredients in the “fragrance mixture” making this a huge concern for consumers given that fragrances can contain neurotoxins and is one of the top 5 allergens in the world. We recommend buying fragrance free or naturally scented products from reputable companies. **Note: Unscented and Fragrance Free are NOT the same thing. Unscented products still have fragrance but use other chemicals to mask the scent. Fragrance free is just that…fragrance free. 

ANIMAL PARTS. Need we say more? The hard part is recognizing an “animal part” ingredient when you see it. The EWG lists 17 pages of animal part ingredients. We will save you the effort, if you see “tallow” anywhere in the word, avoid it. Got it? 

HYDROQUINONE SKIN LIGHTNER. As with most beauty products, we are looking for something to enhance, well, our beauty. How does “disfiguring and irreversible” black and blue lesions sound? Not so beautiful, huh? This is a possible effect of using Hydroquinone. In worst-case scenarios, these lesions have been known to become intensively black bumps the size of caviar all over…permanently. That’s forever, girls. Also listed as: Hydroquinone 

Sperm damage, feminization of little boys and infertility… more and more studies are linking these problems with PHTHALATES (tha-lates). Pregnant women should also avoid nail polish with this ingredient and everyone who uses products with fragrance in them are susceptible to exposure of phthalates. Also listed as: Diethyl phthalate, Dibutyl phthalate 

Would you believe that emollients in your face creams are made in the same factories where gas is made for your car? It’s true. PETROLEUM BYPRODUCTS are a favorite for cosmetics companies due to their cheap prices. If this sounds unhealthy to you, it is. Many carcinogenic (cancer-causing) ingredients that are in cosmetic products come from petroleum byproducts. Baby products such as petroleum jelly and baby shampoo also include some of these carcinogenic ingredients. Know what to look for so that you can avoid it. Also listed as: Petrolatum, Petroleum Distillates, Petroleum Wax, Petroleum Naphtha, 2-Nitro-P-Phenylenediamine

Sure they may remove dirt from the skin and hair, but SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE are known to be skin and eye irritants even at very low doses. At moderate and high doses, it causes organ system toxicity and cancer. What’s more is that this has been studied and established for many years, and we are still testing this on animals. Why should any animal have to repeatedly be subjected to pain and discomfort in the name of our vanity?

You may also see Sodium Lauryl Sulfate listed as:  Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, Sulfuric Acid, Monododecyl Ester, Sodium Salt, Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid, Monododecyl Ester, Monododecyl Ester Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate, Sulfuric Acid Monododecyl Ester Sodium Salt. 

And you'll probably see Sodium Laureth Sulfate listed as:  Dodecyl Sodium Sulfate, PEG- (1-4) Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Salt, Polyethylene Glycol (1-4) Lauryl Ether Sulfate,Poly (Oxy-1,2-Ethanediyl), A-Sulfo-W (Dodecyloxy, Polyoxyethylene (1-4) Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Sodium PEG Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Polyoxyethylene Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Polyoxyethylene Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Salt PEG (1-4) Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Salt Polyethylene Glycol (1-4) Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Salt Poly (Oxy-1,2-Ethanediyl), A-Sulfo-W (Dodecyloxy)  

PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG) is manufactured synthetically from petroleum and naturally from corn. Either way it can cause kidney and liver abnormalities, reproductive harm at moderate doses and results in rashes, dry skin and surface damage to the skin. We don’t know about you, but here at MOI we generally think of rashes as something to be avoided. PG is also a Penetration Enhancer, which means that products containing PG are absorbed more readily by the skin. This would be a good thing if our products were all sunshine and rainbows. But given the ingredient list on many of our products, we wouldn’t want them sitting on top of our skin much less getting a free ride into our dermis. Also listed as: 1,2 –Dihydroxypropane, 2-hyrdroxypropanol, Methylethyl Glycol, 1,2 –Propanediol, Propane-1,2-Diol  

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) This ingredient is used to break down oil or used to thicken products, but is sometimes contaminated with 1-4 dioxane, a potential carcinogen that can penetrate the skin. PEG also causes developmental and reproductive toxicity at low levels as well as organ system toxicity at low levels. Also listed as: PEG-7 

PARABEN PRESERVATIVES. This group is subject to much debate so we will present you with the information and let you make your own decision. Some studies have linked parabens with breast cancer and male reproductive problems. There is disagreement around the validity of the study that started this discussion. Critics state the “study” was not a clinical study rather a retrospective comparison of breast tumors with no other factors taken into consideration. Proponents of the study point to the fact that 18 of the 20 breast tumors contained parabens. The EWG does not list parabens on their list of ingredients to avoid, but does list parabens as a high risk ,7 out of 10. At MOI we believe that it is worth listing given the controversy. Parabens have been shown to be endocrine disruptors at low doses as well as cause reproductive toxicity at low levels. There are four kinds of paraben preservatives; ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben. Also listed as: 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, Benzoic Acid, 4-Hydroxy-; P-Carboxyphenol; P-Hydroxybenzoic Acid; P-Salicylic Acid; 4-Hydroxy- Benzoic Acid; Parabens; Benzoic Acid, 4Hydroxy 

*Note: We do have products at MOI that contain parabens. We feel through much research and in speaking with the companies, that these products are still much safer options to mainstream products. Ecco Bella uses parabens in their MD Formulated Skin Care Line. Baby Bouquet and Soulstice Spa Univeral Body Lotion and Perfecting Body Balm also contain trace amounts of parabens.

PETROCHEMICALS. These are petroleum-derived compounds that have varying degrees of effects on the skin and the body, depending on the ingredient and usage. They can be spotted on labels by the prefixes or suffixes propyl-, methyl-, eth-, or –ene. Two of the most popular are isopropyl alcohol and mineral oil. 

IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA. Don’t worry about the pronunciation of this word as much as the spelling. Read it. Memorize it. Know this one when you read labels. This ingredient is known to cause skin irritations, migraines, allergies and asthma. Our real concern at MOI is the view expressed in PETA’s Caring Consumer. This ingredient is “Excreted from urine and other bodily fluids. In deodorants, ammoniated dentifrices, mouthwashes, hair colorings, hand creams, lotions, shampoos, etc. Used to "brown" baked goods, such as pretzels. Derivatives: Imidazolidinyl Urea, Uric Acid. Alternatives: synthetics.” Oh… and it releases formaldehyde. As if you needed any more reasons to avoid this substance. 

DMDM HYDANTOIN. Restricted from cosmetics in Japan, this little guy also releases formaldehyde and causes skin irritations, migraines, asthma and allergies. According the EWG, this is a high risk substance rating as high as a 9 out of a possible 10. 

FD&C COLOR PIGMENTS. Often obtained from coal tar (see below) these colorings can cause skin sensitivity and may be carcinogenic. These are easily spotted on labels with the prefix FD&C followed by a number. 

COAL TAR. A perfect 10, according the EWG. This little gem has all the major concerns. Cancer, organ system toxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity and contamination concerns. Coal tar is used in dandruff shampoos, scalp treatments, eczema/damaged skin treatment, bath oils, salts and soaks, redness/rosacea treatments and anti-itch creams. Banned in Canada and by the European Union for use in cosmetics, coal tar is listed as a known human carcinogen by several agencies. Listed as: Coal Tar, Tar, Coal, Coal Tar Solution 

DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA), MOMOETHANOLAMINE (MEA), and TRIETHANOLAMINE (MEA).  This ingredient is frequently listed as Cocamide DEA on labels and is found in shampoos, bubble baths, exfoliants and scrubs, hair colors and bleaches, body washes and cleansers. There is strong evidence these are human skin toxicants and human immune system toxicants and moderate evidence that DEA and MEA cause cancer.  

Also listed as: Amides, Coco, N, N-Bis (2-Hydroxyethyl)-, N, N-Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) Coco Amides; N, N-Bis (2-Hydroxyethyl) Coco Fatty Acid Amide; Coco Amides; N, N-Bis (2-Hydroxyethyl_-; Coconut Diethanolamide; Coconut Fatty Acid Diethanolamide; Coconut Fatty Acid Diethanolamide; Cocoyl Diethanolamide;Diethanolamine Coconut Fatty Acid Condensate; N, N-Bis (2-Hydroxyethyl)-Amides, Coco; N, N-Bis (2-Hydroxyethyl)-Coco Amides   

Still have questions? Contact Us!