Toxic chemicals and toiletries we use every day without a second thought

Parabens

Parabens are a group of compounds widely used as antifungal agents, preservatives and antimicrobials in cosmetic products. They have been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and skin irritation.

While five of the parabens have been banned from being used in cosmetics in the EU the most common ones used in cosmetic products – methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben are still in use but the quantities that can be used are restricted.

Phthalates

These are a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals that are commonly used to make PVC soft and flexible but are also used as a solvent in cosmetics and in synthetic fragrances.

Fragrances are found in nearly all products such as shampoo,  deodorant and laundry detergent. Phthalate exposure has been linked to early puberty in girls and is a risk factor for later-life breast cancer.

Several phthalates have been banned in the EU but not all, including diethyl phthalate (DEP). Because the chemical constituents of ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ do not have to be listed on labels, one way to avoid phthalates altogether is to go for fragrance-free products or those free of synthetic fragrances.

SLS and SLES

These are two of the most commonly used detergents and foaming agents. They are found in shampoos and liquid soap products under the names of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES). Today there are more skin and environmentally products being made which SLS-freefree.

According to experts SLS is known to be irritating to the skin and can cause scalp problems when frequently applied as part of a shampoo. It is recognised as being one of the most irritating of the foaming agents used in shampoos.

Studies have found that exposure to the ingredient itself, not the products that contain it and has indicated potential health risks.

Synthetic fragrances

Synthetic fragrances can be found in most products ranging from skincare, and shampoos to household cleaning products. These fragrances often contain as many as 200 ingredients and as these ingredients are considered to be trade secrets, companies don’t have to declare the list of ingredients that go into creating them.

However, studies suggest that many of the ingredients used to make these synthetic fragrances could be having detrimental effects on our health such as

• Immune system damage.
• A cause and trigger of asthma attacks
• Hormone disruption, which can affect development and fertility.
• A potential neurotoxin (chemicals that are toxic to the brain).
• Increase in the proliferation oestrogen-responsive breast cancer cells.
• They have also been found to be toxic to aquatic life and can accumulate in the food chain.

Triclosan

Triclosan and triclocarban can be used as an antimicrobial in soaps. Its use in toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorants, cosmetics and hand soaps is restricted by the EU whilst the US banned its use in liquid soaps and bars of soap in 2016.

Due to public pressure, most companies have been quietly reformulating their products. Colgate was one of the few companies to still use it in its ‘Colgate Total’ toothpaste but even it has removed it now. In our soap guide, Dettol hand soap was the only product we found that contained triclocarban.

Triclosan, which is classified as a pesticide, can affect the body’s hormone systems – especially thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism – and may disrupt normal breast development.

The EU classifies triclosan as irritating to the skin and eyes, and as very toxic to aquatic organisms, noting that it may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Widespread use of triclosan may also contribute to bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents.