I love makeup. Pretty lip glosses, rosy cream blushes, mascara, you name it. Yet, even after my attempts to use more organic, eco-friendly products last year, I never factored in my cosmetic purchases. Looking back, I don’t know why I didn’t care more about my makeup’s ingredients – I mean, those products are on my skin all day long!

Turns out, there are a lot of chemicals you should steer clear from while purchasing your cosmetics. Thanks to The Green Guide,** here is the Cosmetic Dirty Dozen. Look for these chemicals on the label while shopping and avoid at all costs.

1. Antibacterials – Overuse of antibacterials can prevent them from effectively fighting disease-causing germs like E. coli.

2. Coal Tar – This is a known human carcinogen used as an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, have been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies when injected under skin.

3. Diethanolamine (DEA) – DEA is a possible hormone disruptor, has shown limited evidence of carcinogenicity and depletes the body of choline needed for fetal brain development.

4. 1,4-Dioxane – A known animal carcinogen and a possible human carcinogen, this contaminant appears in products containing Sodium Laureth Sulfate. (This is in a lot of bath products, shampoos and body washes.)

5. Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde has a long list of adverse health effects, including immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and cancer in humans. (Yet it still turns up in some baby bath soaps and nail polish!)

6. Fragrance – The catchall term “fragrance” may mask phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause obesity and reproductive and developmental harm. (Essential-oil fragrances do not contain phthalates.)

7. Lead and Mercury – Brain-damaging mercury, found in the preservative thimerosol, is used in some mascaras.

8. Nanoparticles – The most problematic nanoparticles are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are used in sunscreens to make them transparent.

9. Parabens – Parabens, which have weak estrogenic effects, are common preservatives that appear in a wide array of toiletries.

10. Petroleum Distillates – Possible human carcinogens, petroleum distillates are found in several U.S. brands of mascara, foot-odor powder and other products.

11. P-Phenylenediamine – Commonly found in hair dyes, this chemical can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions.

12. Hydroquinone – Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there’s limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals.

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