Ingredients to avoid (and what to use instead)

Also listed as: Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben

Where it hides

Lotions, shampoos, deodorants, makeup

Why avoid

Endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen; detected in breast tissue and linked to reproductive concerns.

Cleaner swap

Look for 'paraben-free' lotions preserved with phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, or potassium sorbate.

Also listed as: DEP, DBP, DEHP, listed as 'fragrance'

Where it hides

Perfumes, nail polish, vinyl, scented lotions

Why avoid

Plasticizers linked to hormone disruption and reproductive toxicity. Often hidden under 'fragrance/parfum.'

Cleaner swap

Choose products labeled 'phthalate-free' and 'fragrance-free' or scented only with named essential oils.

Also listed as: PTFE, PFOA, PFOS, C8, Teflon

Where it hides

Non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, dental floss, food packaging

Why avoid

Bioaccumulate in blood for decades; linked to cancer, immune suppression, and thyroid disease.

Cleaner swap

Cast iron or stainless steel cookware, untreated cotton or wool outerwear with beeswax DWR, paper-only food packaging.

Also listed as: TCS, TCC

Where it hides

Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, deodorant

Why avoid

FDA banned from soap in 2017 — promotes antibiotic resistance and is an endocrine disruptor. Still appears in other categories.

Cleaner swap

Plain soap and water is just as effective. For toothpaste, choose triclosan-free fluoride or hydroxyapatite formulas.

Also listed as: DMDM hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Imidazolidinyl urea, Bronopol

Where it hides

Shampoo, body wash, keratin treatments, nail polish

Why avoid

Slowly release formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, into product over time.

Cleaner swap

Pick preservative systems like sodium benzoate + potassium sorbate, or refrigerated short-shelf-life products.

Also listed as: Benzophenone-3, BP-3

Where it hides

Chemical sunscreens

Why avoid

Coral reef toxicity (banned in Hawaii, Key West, and Palau) and hormone disruption in humans.

Cleaner swap

Mineral sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Also listed as: Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium laureth sulfate

Where it hides

Shampoo, body wash, toothpaste

Why avoid

Harsh surfactants; SLES can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen.

Cleaner swap

Decyl glucoside, coco-glucoside, or cocamidopropyl betaine for gentler cleansing.

Also listed as: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP)

Where it hides

Exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste (banned in US but still in some import brands)

Why avoid

Pass through wastewater treatment, accumulate in oceans, ingested by marine life.

Cleaner swap

Sugar, salt, jojoba beads, ground apricot kernel, or oat exfoliants.

Also listed as: Bisphenol-A, Bisphenol-S

Where it hides

Plastic bottles, canned-food linings, thermal receipts

Why avoid

Endocrine disruptors. 'BPA-free' often means BPS, which has similar effects.

Cleaner swap

Glass, stainless steel, or certified bisphenol-free packaging. Decline receipts or request email.

Also listed as: Sodium palmate, Palmitate, Elaeis guineensis

Where it hides

Soap, snacks, biofuel, cosmetics

Why avoid

Conventional palm production drives deforestation and orangutan habitat loss in SE Asia.

Cleaner swap

RSPO-certified palm oil, or products using shea butter, coconut, or sunflower oil instead.