Goodhabit’s ‘never will we ever’ list

What it is: A fragrance and flavor ingredient

What it does: Contributes to the composition of fragrances

Potential concern:

• Skin irritant
• Respiratory irritant
• Eye irritant

What it is: A solvent

What it does: Breaks down and dissolves ingredients – most commonly used in nail polish and fragrances

Potential concern:

• Organ toxicity
• Skin irritant
• Skin sensitizer

What it is: A fragrance and flavor ingredient

What it does: Contributes to the composition of fragrances

Potential concern:

• Skin irritant
• Respiratory irritant
• Eye irritant

What it is: Polyacrylamide 

What it does: Acts as a film forming agent and binder in skincare formulas

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Skin sensitizer 

What it is: Ethyl acrylate, Ethyl methacrylate, Methyl methacrylate, Butyl methacrylate, Hydroxypropyl methacrylate, Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate

What it does: Adhesive to apply artificial nails and eyelashes

Potential concern:

• Potential carcinogen
• Skin/eye irritation

What it is: SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol

What it does: Acts as a solvent

Potential concern:

• Skin irritant
• Skin sensitizer

What it is: Any animal derived ingredient, i.e., beeswax, carmine, lanolin

What it does: Acts as an emulsifier or coloring agent

Potential concern:

• Organ toxicity
• Skin irritant
• Sustainability
• Animal welfare

What it is: Meat, fat bone, or genital glands of animals

What it does: A perfuming agent and/or skin conditioning agent

Potential concern:

• Organ toxicity
• Skin irritant
• Sustainability
• Animal welfare

What it is: Aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum dichlorohydrate, aluminum salts

What it does: Blocks sweat ducts preventing sweat from reaching the skin’s surface

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Neurotoxicity
• Endocrine disruptor
• Organ toxicity

What it is: Synthetic form of aluminum, sometimes listed as alumina

What it does: Acts as an opacifying agent, skin protectant, and pH adjuster 

Potential concern:

• Organ toxicity
• Neurotoxicity

What it is: Elemental aluminum

What it does: A natural coloring agent that imparts a white color to skincare products and color cosmetics

Potential concern:

• Organ toxicity

What it is: Butylated hydroxyanisole & Butylated hydroxytoluene

What it does: Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor
• Organ toxicity
• Skin irritant

What it is: An industrial chemical used to make certain plastics and resins to prevent corrosion

What it does: Prior to being banned by the FDA in 2006, BPA was used in lipsticks, face, and eye products 

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor

What it is: Glycol ether 

What it does: A solvent used in perfume, cosmetics, and liquid soaps that also helps control a formula’s viscosity

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor
• Reproductive harm/toxicity
• Skin irritant

What it is: Oxybenzone, Benzophenone, Benzophenone-3, Octinoxate, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Octisalate, Homosalate

What it does: Protects skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays

Potential concern:

• Hormone disruptor 
• Endocrine disruptor
• DNA cell damage

What it is: Chlorhexidine and its salts (Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Chlorhexidine Diacetate)

What it does: A preservative and antimicrobial agent that prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in any product that contains water

Potential concern:

• Skin sensitizer

What it is: A by-product of coal processing (coal tar solution, P-phenylenediamine, Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene)

What it does: A colorant and anti-dandruff agent

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen

What it is: D4, D5, D6, D7

What it does: Used as a solvent & carrier fluid

Potential concern:

• Reproductive & developmental toxicity 
• Endocrine disruption concerns

What it is: A skin softening agent

What it does: Used as a moisturizer in lotions, creams, and bath products

Potential concern:

• Eye irritant

What it is: Diethanolamine (DEA), Cocamide DEA, Cocamide MEA, Triethanolamine (TEA), Monoethanlamine (MEA), Ethanolamine (ETA)

What it does: A surfactant and pH adjuster 

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen, may form carcinogenic nitrosamines
• Skin toxicity
• Endocrine disruptor
• Inhibited fetal brain development
• Reproductive harm
• Organ toxicity
• Allergen

What it is: 1,4 dioxane, ceteareth-20, steareth-20, emulsifying wax, PEGs, SLES, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (most ingredients ending in -eth)

What it does: Act as an emulsifying agent 

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen

What it is: Disodium EDTA, calcium disodium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, HEDTA, Others with -EDTA

What it does: A binding agent that improves stability

Potential concern:

• Organ toxicity
• Aquatic environmental harm

What it is: DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone , Quaternium-15, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol),Tosylamide / formaldehyde resin, Polyoxymethylene Urea, Glyoxal, Methenamine, Benzylhemiformal, 5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3 Dioxane, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, EDTA Salts

What is does: Preservative often used in cleansers

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Neurotoxicity
• Developmental toxicity
• Reproductive harm
• Allergy Trigger
• Skin/eye irritation

What it is: Glutaraldehyde

What it does: Acts as a preservative; prevents growth of harmful bacteria in any product that contains water

Potential concern:

• Skin irritant

What it is: A skin bleaching agent 

What it does: Reduces hyperpigmentation & uneven skin tone

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Organ toxicity

What it is: Lead acetate

What it does: An impurity typically found  in coloring agents

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor
• Organ toxicity
• Neurotoxicity

What it is: A heavy metal called thimerosal typically found in eye makeup

What it does: Used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent

Potential concern:

• Organ toxicity
• Neurotoxicity 
• Reproductive harm
• Developmental toxicity

What it is: Methoxyethanol 

What it does: A solvent used in perfumes as an additive. It also helps to control a formula’s viscosity

Potential concern:

• Organ toxicity
• Neurotoxicity
• Endocrine disruptor
• Developmental toxicity
• Reproductive harm
• DNA/Cell damage
• Skin irritant

What it is: Prior to being banned by the FDA in 1988, methylene chloride was used as a fragrance and flavor ingredient

What it does: Contributes to the composition of fragrance

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen

What it is: A non-biodegradable, solid synthetic plastic particle less than or equal to 5mm in size

What it does: Acts as an exfoliant

Potential concern:

• Aquatic environmental harm

What it is: A by-product of petroleum distillation

What it does: An occlusive emollient, meaning it helps keep skin hydrated by locking in moisture by forming a barrier on your skin’s surface

Potential Concern:

• Skin irritation
• Clogged pores
• Allergen
• Contact dermatitis
• Can be contaminated with PAHs which are linked to cancer

What it is: Extremely small particles (ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers) that have been synthetically engineered to be tiny, i.e., buckyballs, fullerenes, nanotubes, liposomes, or quantum dots

What it does: Provides UV protection, enhances a formula’s texture and penetration into the skin, an ingredient stabilizer, and/or acts as a preservative

Potential concern:

• Organ toxicity
• Endocrine disruptor
• Reproductive harm
• DNA/Cell damage
• Skin irritant
• Not typically included on an ingredient listing

What it is: Musk ketone, musk xylene, musk ambrette, musk moskene, musk tibetene,  

What it does: Acts as an additive in fragrance to give a musk like scent

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor
• Neurotoxicity
• Organ toxicity
• Bioaccumulation

What it is: Esters of para hydroxybenzoic acid (We prohibit all parabens, including Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Methylparaben, and Propylparaben)

What is does: Acts as preservatives and anti-microbial agent in skincare and cosmetic formulas

Potential Concern:

• Endocrine disruption
• Potential carcinogen
• Developmental, reproductive & immune toxicity
• Allergen

What it is: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether, DEA-C8-18 Perfluoroalkylethyl Phosphate, Teflon

What it does: Acts as a surfactant and adds a smooth, sleek finish to cosmetic products 

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor

What it is: Petroleum derived ingredients such as paraffin wax, mineral oil, toluene, benzene, PEGs, DEA, MEA, butylparaben, EDTA, propylene glycol, and isopropyl alcohol that can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and typically generate 1,4-dioxane 

What it does: They are typically used as moisturizers, occlusive agents, emulsifiers, solvents, and preservatives

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Organ toxicity
• Neurotoxicity
• Endocrine disruptor

What it is: A semisolid mixture derived from processed petroleum. Mineral Oil, Paraffin Wax, Liquid Paraffin, Liquid Petrolatum are also derived from petroleum distillation by-products

What it does: Used as a solvent  & carrier fluid

Potential concern:

• Unsustainable sourcing
• Possible PAHs contamination, which are linked to cancer

What it is: Solvents, diluents, and stabilizers that are derived from petroleum

What it does: Acts as a solvent, diluent, or stabilizer in fragrance formulas

Potential concern:

• Unsustainable sourcing
• Possible PAHs contamination, which are linked to cancer

What it is: DBP, DEHP, DEP, DMP & Others

What it does: Solubilizer most commonly found in synthetic fragrances

Potential Concern:

• Hormone disruptor
• Endocrine disruptor
• Reproductive harm
• May not be labeled on ingredient lists

What it is: An extract derived from human or animal placentas

What it does: Increases hair thickness and collagen production

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruption

What it is: A preservative and antimicrobial agent

What it does: Prevents growth of harmful bacteria in any product that contains water

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Organ toxicity
• Skin irritant
• Allergen

What it is: Galaxolide, tonalide

What it does: Acts as a fragrance additive

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor
• Neurotoxicity
• Bioaccumulation

What it is: PEG compounds

What it does: Used as thickeners, softeners and solvents

Potential concern:

• Possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens
• Endocrine disruptor
• Reproductive harm

What it is: Aminomethyl propanol

What it does: Adjusts a formula’s pH and acts as an ingredient stabilizer

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Reproductive harm
• Organ toxicity
• Skin irritant

What it is: Benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride

What it does: Acts as a preservative, anti-microbial agent, and surfactant

Potential concern:

• Skin, eye, and respiratory irritant
• Allergen

What it is: 2-methylresorcinol (derivative of resorcinol)

What it does: Colorant for hair dye, fragrance ingredient, and an anti-acne active

Potential concern:

• Endocrine disruptor
• Organ toxicity
• Skin irritant
• Allergen

What it is: A combination of retinol (pure vitamin A) and the fatty acid palmitic acid

What it does: Antioxidant

Potential concern:

• May speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight 

What it is: Bromostyrene, Deastyrene/acrylates/dvbcopolymer, Sodium styrene/divinylbenzene copolymer, Styrene oxide, Styrene

What it does: Synthetic polymer used as a film former in sunscreens and lotions

Potential concern:

• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity
• Potential Carcinogen

What it is: ALS/ALES, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, and all other sulfates

What it does:  Foaming agents commonly found in shampoos, face washes and shave creams

Potential Concern:

• Contamination with 1,4 - dioxane
• Organ toxicity
• Skin/eye irritation
• Allergen

What it is: A petroleum derived or mined mineral material 

What it does: Used to impart color in a formula

Potential concern:

• Unsustainable sourcing
• Possible heavy metal contamination, which is linked neurotoxicity (nervous system damage)

What it is: Fragrance/parfum that may contain any combination of 3,000 plus stock chemical ingredients

What it does: Adds fragrance to a formula to produce a scent or mask an odor

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor
• Organ toxicity
• Respiratory toxicity
• Reproductive harm
• Neurotoxicity
• Skin irritant
• Allergen

What it is: Acetone, alcohol, butoxyethanol, methyl cellosolve, petrolatum/paraffin, polyethylene glycol

What it does: Acts as a solvent, diluent, or stabilizer in fragrance formulas

Potential concern:

• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor
• Organ toxicity
• Respiratory toxicity
• Reproductive harm/toxicity
• Neurotoxicity
• Skin irritant
• Allergen
• Carcinogen
• Endocrine disruptor
• Reproductive harm/toxicity
• Skin irritant

What it is: Talcum, talcum powder, cosmetic talc, magnesium silicate

What it does: Dilutes color and acts as an absorbent

Potential concern:

• Asbestos contamination

What it is: Toluol, Benzene, Methylbenzene, Phenylmethane

What it does: A solvent usually found in nail polishes

Potential concern:

• Neurotoxicity
• Links to blood, brain and reproductive cancer
• Birth defects
• Reproductive, developmental and immune toxicity
• Skin & organ irritation

What it is: Microban

What it does: An antimicrobial agent

Potential concern:

• Endocrine disruptor
• Organ toxicity
• Skin irritant
• Aquatic environmental harm