What’s in your lotions? The best way to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized is using lotions, but are they healthy for you and your skin? The good news is that there are alternatives that are healthy for you and non-toxic. The vast majority of lotions you’ll find on store shelves are NOT the safe kind. They contain substances that could lead to skin irritations or even worse, health problems. Unfortunately, good news sometimes comes with bad news.
Lotions are a leave-on product, meaning that we even need to be more aware of the ingredients because we are letting them sit on our skin and absorbed. Whereas something like shampoo or conditioner gets washed out and is only absorbed for a very short while.
I went ahead and did some research and compiled a list of ingredients that we should be avoiding in our lotions at all cost. These will NOT be included in my safe lotion swaps post.
SLS/SLES
Parabens
Retinyl palmitate
Formaldehyde/formaldehyde releasers
BHA
Isothiazolinones
Fragrance/Parfum
DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (Triethanolamine)
PEG
Propylene Glycol
Mineral Oil
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.
Retinyl Palmitate
Retinyl palmitate is a form of Vitamin A that is often used as an anti-aging ingredient in lotions and other skin care products. However, it can be unstable in sunlight and may increase the risk of skin cancer.
In a study done in 2010, topical retinyl palmitate was shown to accelerate cancer growth in hairless mice. This study confirmed the results of earlier studies that stated retinyl palmitate formed free radicals that could damage DNA in the presence of sunlight, and encouraged excess skin growth.
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 conditioners. Formaldehyde is a well-known carcinogen, linked to leukemia and tumor formations.
While Formaldehyde could be listed on an ingredients list, it’s unlikely. Here’s a list of formaldehyde releasers to stay away from:
- Formaldehyde
- Diazolidinyl 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
BHA & BHT (Butylated Hydroxyanisole & Butylated Hydroxytoluen)
BHA is often used as an antioxidant and preservative in lotions. Studies show that it can be a possible human carcinogen and will cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. It can also cause endocrine disruption, organ-system toxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity. It is harmful to fish and other wildlife as well. BHA and BHT are also used in cosmetics, hair care products, and other personal care products as a fragrance component.
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 cosmetic products, all of which I personally choose to avoid:
- Methylisothiazolinone (MIT, MI)
- Chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT, CMI, MCI)
- Benzisothiazolinone (BIT)
- Octylisothiazolinone (OIT, OI)
- Dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT, DCOI)
- Butylbenzisothiazolinone (BBIT)
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. The biggest problem with these ingredients is their process of ethoxylation because it produces traces of 1,4-dioxane, 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
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
Petrochemicals
These are incredibly pervasive in beauty products; so many common ingredients are derived from them. A huge health concern with petroleum products is that they can generate 1,4-dioxane, a substance known to potentially contribute to some cancers. It’s also a kidney toxin, neurotoxin, and a respiratory toxin, not to mention a leading groundwater contaminant. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that an alarming 22 percent of all conventional personal care products contain unsafe levels of 1,4-dioxane. EWG also found that “these trace contaminants in petroleum-based ingredients often readily penetrate the skin…and their presence in products is not restricted by government safety standards.”
Some of the common ingredients in beauty products that are petrochemical-derived include:
- Parafin wax
- Mineral oil
- Toluene
- Benzene
- Anything with PEG (polyethylene glycol)
- Anything with DEA (diethanolamine) or MEA (ethanolamine)
- Butanol and any word with butyl: butyl alcohol, butylparaben, butylene glycol
- EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
- Any word with propyl—isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, propyl alcohol, cocamidopropyl betaine
- Parfum or fragrance—95 percent of chemicals used in fragrance are from petroleum. This one word can contain many, many chemicals that don’t need to be listed and are likely endocrine disrupters.
Mineral Oil
Mineral Oil is a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. Mineral oil is a well-known and very common ingredient found in almost all the many lotions, but it’s not always the best choice for our skin. In certain weather conditions this oil can actually clog pores, cause breakouts, and prevent our skin from breathing. This leads to dryness and irritation.
Disodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA is used in shampoos as a chelating agent, meaning it binds with metal ions and deactivates them, preventing your product from deterioration.
This compound causes skin and eye irritation, is harmful if inhaled, may cause respiratory irritation, and can even cause damage to the organs through prolonged exposure.
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium benzoate is a preservative commonly used in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic chemical produced when benzoic acid; which is found naturally in some fruits and spices, is combined with sodium hydroxide. Since sodium benzoate contains a natural ingredient, it is probably safe, right? After all, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Canadian Health Protection Branch have pronounced this chemical preservative to be acceptable when consumed in low amounts. In fact, the FDA has granted sodium benzoate GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. A small percentage of people are hypersensitive to sodium benzoate and can experience asthmatic attacks, hives, or other allergic reactions when they consume the preservative. A more common problem, however, is the combination of sodium benzoate and citric acid and/or ascorbic acid (vitamin C). When these ingredients get together, they form benzene, a cancer-causing chemical associated with leukemia and other blood cancers.
Parabens
Another ingredient to avoid is parabens. Parabens are a type of preservative that is commonly used in personal care products to extend their shelf life by preventing the growth of bacteria and mold. Studies have found that parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, which can lead to a variety of health problems. 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.
What to look for on the label. Some of the possible parabens that may be found include:
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Benzylparaben
- Any ingredient which ends in -paraben
It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of parabens that may be found in personal care products, and there may be others as well. Be sure to check the ingredient list for any of the above names or for the word “paraben” in general.
DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (Triethanolamine)
DEA, MEA, and TEA are commonly used as emulsifiers and pH adjusters in lotions. They have been connected to cancer and organ system toxicity in studies that have shown they can be absorbed through the skin.
These ingredients can react with nitrites and become nitrosamines – a carcinogen. Additionally, it’s possible for DEA, MEA, and TEA to be contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane (another carcinogen) as they go through the ethoxylation process of being mixed with ethylene oxide during formulation.
Fragrance/Parfum
Fragrance, or parfum, is a common ingredient in lotions, personal care products and other everyday items such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, candles. 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.
Good news, not all lotions have these ingredients!
Knowing what we put in, on, or around our bodies is always a good idea. This information is not intended to frighten you or make you feel guilty for purchasing lotion from the stores. This information is intended to educate you, empower you, and show you that you have the power of choice when it comes to selecting things that are absolutely safe for you and your family.
Lotion is a leave on product as opposed to a rinse off product like shampoos, body washes, or conditioners, as I indicated at the beginning of this post. And therefore, if you’re trying to start slowly with a product switch, I’d suggest leave ons as being more crucial that rinse offs.
The good news is that I have compiled a list of lotions that are completely safe and that I would feel confident using on my entire family if you find the search to be daunting. You may trust me when I say that I am aware of how difficult and overwhelming the work may seem. I’m right there with you.
Feel free to browse my list of safe alternatives for lotions and please do let me know if you decide to try any. I haven’t had a chance to try every single item I have suggested so please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. I appreciate reading reviews from real individuals who are being genuine. These non-toxic products can be a complete hit or a complete miss. It might be challenging to switch things, especially cosmetics so the reviews may be very helpful to others to decide which product is better suited for them.
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