What’s in your dish soap?

Let’s face it, washing dishes is a necessary part of daily life, but exposure to some relatively common and harmful substances shouldn’t be. When was the last time you examined what’s in your dish soap ingredients? Would it be surprising to you to find out that the dish soap you use can be harming your family’s health? Prepare yourself as one of your home favorite soaps you may be using is toxic.  Regrettably, the majority of popular dish soaps have dangerous ingredients that might be contaminating the food you are eating. Here is a list of the main ones to keep away from and make sure they aren’t in your household products.

Ethoxylated Ingredients (prefixes PEG- and poly-, suffixes -eth and -oxynol)

Ethoxylation is a chemical process using ethylene oxide (EtO) to turn alcohol, acid, or triglyceride oil into a surfactant. This makes products interact better with each other and make them more effective cleaners. The biggest problem with these ingredients is their process of ethoxylation because it produces traces of 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens. It also produces polyethylene glycol compounds (PEGs).

California Proposition 65 lists ethylene oxide as a known developmental toxicant, and it also lists 1,4-dioxane as a cancer-causing ingredient. 1,4 Dioxane has been shown to be harmful to a developing fetus, as well as increased incidences in nasal cavity, gall bladder, and liver tumors after exposure in animal studies.

The prefixes and suffixes above will help to identify ethoxylated ingredients but here is a list of others found in common household, beauty, and self-care products:

• Acrylates/Steareth-20 Itaconate Copolymer
• Ammonium Capryleth Sulfate
• Ammonium Pareth-25 Sulfate
• Ammonium Myreth Sulfate
• Ceteareth -20
• Cocamidopropyl Betaines
• Disteareth-75 IPDI, -100 IPDI
• Emulsifying Wax NF
• Isosteareth-20
• Steareth – 2, -4, 10, 16, -20, 21
• Isosteareth -2, -10, -20
• Magnesium Laureth Sulfate
• Magnesium Oleth Sulfate
• PEG’s – ingredients listed as a polyethylene glycol or with a PEG- prefix such as PEG-20, PEG-40
• Phenoxyethanol
• Polyoxyethylene
• Polysorbate-20, -40, -60, -80
• Steareth-2, -4, -10, -16, -20, -21
• Sodium Coceth Sulfate
• Sodium Deceth Sulfate
• Sodium Oleth Sulfate
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Sodium Myreth Sulfate
• Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
• Zinc Coceth Sulfate

Parabens

Parabens are a type of preservative that is used in soaps to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Topical parabens have been detected in human breast tumors. This is concerning because parabens have been shown to mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen, which can encourage the growth of human breast tumors. Parabens can also cause diminished muscle mass and extra fat storing. In 2018, the American Contact Dermatitis Society named propylene glycol Allergen of the Year because of its potential to cause allergies and how frequently it is used in our products.

What to look for on the label:

• Ethylparaben
• Propylparaben
• Isobutylparaben
• Isopropylparaben
• Methylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Any ingredient which ends in –paraben

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are commonly used as foaming agents in lotions. SLS and SLES can cause skin irritation, dryness, and itching.They can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it vulnerable to damage.

Additionally, SLES, or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, is an ethoxylated ingredient. This means it was mixed with ethylene oxide during its formulation process. Unfortunately, this process has the possibility of creating 1,4 dioxane, which is a known carcinogen. However, this ingredient will not be listed on the ingredients list and would not be discovered unless specific testing were done in a lab. This is why I try to avoid all ethoxylated ingredients in my products at all costs.

Isothiazolinones

Isothiazolinones are a type of preservatives that are commonly used in lotions to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. They can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and sensitization. Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) are the isothiazolinones used in personal care products for their effectiveness as preservatives due to their relatively low cost.

However, you may also see these in your products as:

• Methylisothiazolinone (MIT, MI)
• Chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT, CMI, MCI)
• Benzisothiazolinone (BIT)
• Octylisothiazolinone (OIT, OI)
• Dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT, DCOI)
• Butylbenzisothiazolinone (BBIT)

Fragrance/Parfum

Fragrance, or parfum, is a common ingredient in lotions, personal care products and other everyday items such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, and soaps. The most frustrating fact about this ingredient is that it is a catch-all term that allows companies to conceal up to 3000 different ingredients just under this one word. This is completely legal, and it allows the companies to keep their “trade secret recipe” under wraps.

Unfortunately, many studies have shown that “fragrances” almost always contain phthalates which are endocrine disruptors and can be detrimental to your hormone health. They can also cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, migraines, sinus problems, and respiratory issues.

Be careful since some products with the label “unscented” nevertheless still contain fragrance, so it’s best to always check the ingredient label yourself rather than relying on the marketing on the bottle. I believe it’s equally important to point out that some companies are transparent about the ingredients in their fragrances.

Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers

While Formaldehyde is rarely used in its pure form, formaldehyde releasers are commonly used as preservatives in many cosmetics including our soaps. Formaldehyde is a well-known carcinogen, linked to leukemia, tumor formations, joint pain, heart irregularities, and a weakened immune system.

While Formaldehyde could be listed on an ingredients list, it’s unlikely. Here’s a list of formaldehyde releasers to stay away from:

• Formaldehyde
• Urea
• Imidazolidinyl Urea
• Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
• Benzylhemiformal
• 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
• 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
• Quaternium-15
• DMDM Hydantoin
• Methenamine
• Polyoxymethylen

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATs and QACs)

QUATs are commonly added to household products for their disinfecting properties but they can also be used as a surfactant. QUATs can disrupt key cellular processes and have been linked to a broad range of health issues including reproductive and development problems in animals. In one laboratory where studies were completed on mice, the staff switched from a chlorine-based disinfectant to QUATs, which resulted in fertility issues and neural tube defects in the mice. It has also been found that QUATs are resilient on surfaces, and it takes months to get rid of the residue. So, it is crucial not to use them on food preparation surfaces. They are related to a broad range of health issues that include skin and eye irritations, as well as respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies. Children are particularly at risk of developing complications. These chemical exposures have been linked to 5% of childhood cancer and 30% of childhood asthma.

Watch for ingredients that end in “ammonium chloride”, some examples are listed below:

• Alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride
• Didecyldimethylammonium chloride
• Dioctyldimethylammonium chloride
• Benzalkonium chloride
• Benzethonium chloride
• Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
• Behentrimonium chloride
• Cetrimonium chloride
• Stearalkonium chloride
• Methylbenzethonium chloride
• Cetylpyridinium chloride
• Quaternium-15
• Polyquaternium-7

Products that are labeled as “antimicrobial” or “antibacterial” most likely contain QUATs.

Triclosan

Triclosan is an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. This substance is labeled as an endocrine disruptor due to a study showing it increases testosterone levels in human infants from prenatal exposure, and also in multiple animal studies showing triclosan has antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic properties. Triclosan is also suspected to be a carcinogen. This substance is absorbed through the skin and can cause dermatitis, allergies, or skin irritation.

Sulphuric Acid

Sulphuric acid is commonly used is drain de-cloggers and toilet bowl cleaners but unfortunately can be found in some dish soaps as well. This chemical can cause burns and tissue damage on skin contact, can irritate the nose and throat and cause difficulty breathing upon inhalation, eye blindness, or even a hole in the stomach if it’s swallowed.

Unfortunately, Dawn Ultra Dishwashing detergent is an example of a dish soap that includes this ingredient.

Benzene (benzyl acetate and dichlorobenzene)

This chemical is absorbed into our bodies both by inhalation and ingestion, and while I don’t expect you’re chugging a gallon of dish soap, we are certainly eating off of our dishes, right?

Benzene products are irritating to the eyes, respiratory tract, and can even cause issues in the central nervous system. It also defats the skin which can cause extreme dryness and cracking.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is the main ingredient in anti freeze and is listed on the FDA government website as a known carcinogen. It is found in hand sanitizers, moisturizers, shaving creams, deodorants, and baby products. Propylene glycol weakens skin cells. It is linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, and organ system toxicity. You might also seen this listed as

• Propylene Oxide
• Polyethylene Glycol

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB)

Cocamidopropyl Betaine was named American Contact Dermatitis Society 2004’s “Allergen of the Year”. People with sensitivities to this chemical experience contact dermatitis which is itchiness, redness, and tightness of the skin. Severe reactions have included sores and blisters as well.

This product has a few names including, but are not limited to the ones named below:

• hydroxide inner salt
• 1-propanaminium
• Cocoyl amide propylbetaine
• Cocamide DEA
• CADG
• Cocoamphocarboxypropionate
• cocamidopropyl dimethyl glycine
• disodium cocoamphodipropionate

Ammonia

This chemical is extremely toxic and should be avoided. Many people aren’t aware that ammonia, even if in “trace” amounts, is present in their dish detergents. If combined with bleach to create a cleaning solution, the two will release fumes that can cause damage to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin.

Chlorine

Also known as sodium dichloroisocyanurate,this chemical has ben listed on both the EPA’s Community Right-To-Know list and the 1990 Clean Air Act. It is extremely toxic to fish and releases chlorine into the air when it’s being used to clean your dishes. 

Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative, stabilizer, and can even be found in the list of some fragrances. Japan’s Standards for Cosmetics have limited the use of this ingredient, and the European Union has labeled it as an irritant and classified it as toxic or harmful especially when used in products used around the mouth and lips.

In 2008, the FDA warned against using a specific nipple cream that contained phenoxyethanol due to it suppressing infants central nervous system and causing diarrhea and vomiting in breast-fed babies.

A list of ways Phenoxyethanol could be labeled:

• uxyl K-400 (mixture with methyldibromo glutaronitrile)
• P.E.
• Ethanol, 2-Phenoxy-
• Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether
• 2-Hydroxyethyl Phenyl Ether
• 2-Phenoxyethanol
• 2-Phenoxyethanol (RIFM)
• phenoxyethanolum (EP)
• 2-Phenoxyethyl Alcohol
• Phenoxytol

Dye

Along with our foods, detergents, shampoos, and basically every product on the market, soaps also have artificial dyes as well. Dyes can be a culprit for unexplained rashes or allergies with exposure to the product. A lot of the dyes used are carcinogens and almost all of them are endocrine disruptors.

Alkanolamines

• monoethanolamine (MEA)
• diethanolamine (DEA)
• triethanolamine (TEA)

Alkanolamines are used as wetting agents in cosmetics. DEA, specifically, is used to provide lather in shampoos. There is little to no information regarding the safety of this chemical in humans, but has shown to increase the incidence of liver and kidney tumors in mice from dermal exposure.

With alkanolamines the main concern is their interaction with other chemicals. It creates an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). This is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked to the development of stomach, esophagus, liver, and bladder cancers.

This list seemed never ending…I swear the more lists I do the longer they are becoming!

There are a lof of things on the market today from companies that clearly don’t care about our safety or health. Yet, there are quite a few companies that do!

I’m eager to share the products that I personally evaluated and feel at ease using in my house. As this ingredient list seems the most comprehensive one yet I believe that the swap list will also be the longest one yet of swap alternatives and you can find that here.

What’s in your hand soap?