The following information is from the Skin Deep site.  It is not our intent to scare you or advise you on the use of any ingredient in any product on the market.  It is our intent to make you aware of sites & information that can help you make your own decisions.  Not all chemicals are bad and not all natural ingredients are good.  Even essential oils can be harmful for people with certain conditions or if used in unsafe amounts. 

Cosmetics companies in the United States may use any ingredient or raw material, except for color additives and a few prohibited substances, without government review or approval (FDA 2005, FDA 2000).

• More than 500 products sold in the U.S. contain ingredients banned in cosmetics in Japan, Canada or the European Union.
  
• Nearly 100 products contain ingredients considered unsafe by the International Fragrance Association.
• A wide range of nanomaterials whose safety is in question may be common in personal care products.
  
• 22% of all personal care products may be contaminated with the cancer-causing impurity 1,4-dioxane, including many children’s products.
• 60% of sunscreens contain the potential hormone disruptor oxybenzone that readily penetrates the skin and contaminates the bodies of 97% of Americans.
• 61% of tested lipstick brands contain residues of lead.

A good resource to check on banned or retricted cosmetic ingredients is the European Union site:  http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/index_en.htm

Canada also has a good site for information and is easier to use than the EU site:  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/cosmet-person/index-eng.php   The Canadian government recently created a Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist that includes hundreds of prohibited and restricted chemicals and contaminants such as formaldehyde, triclosan, selenium, nitrosamines and 1,4-dioxane — all of which are allowed in U.S. products.

Products/Ingredients you may want to avoid (use your own good judgement and be sure to do your own research).  Check the Skin Deep site for more information on ingredients.  They also usually list whether the ingredient is banned in Canada or by the European Union.

• Anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA and BHA acids.
• Borax (Sodium Borate) - Just because borax is a naturally occurring mineral made of boron, sodium, oxygen and water, does not mean it is safe. What's disturbing is how often it is used in baby products and how especially harmful it may be for babies. It can be very irritating to sensitive skin.  Whether organic or non-organic, you may want to consider borax for household cleaning and pest control only. Borax is known to be toxic and has been linked to cancer, kidney problems, reproductive difficulties and genetic birth defects in any use. Even organic borax can be toxic when ingested or applied to the skin.  Borax may be especially toxic to babies.  The Canadian Hotlist says it should not be used on broken skin or on children under age 3.  Skin Deep rates it a 5-6, a moderate hazard.  As with any cleaning agent, pesticide or herbicide - apply responsibly and use with caution.  You will find borax in many handmade liquid soaps and lotions.  REMEMBER THAT WHAT GOES ON YOUR SKIN GOES INTO YOUR BLOODSTREAM.
  
• DEAs (Diethanolamine) - A wetting agent in shampoo that creates a rich lather and gives lotions a creamy consistency. Not harmful alone but can react with other chemicals to form a potent carcinogen called NDEA, linked to stomach, liver, esophagus and bladder cancer.
• Grapefruit Seed Extract - Used as a "natural" preservative in soaps and lotions.  There is quite a bit of controversy over GSE.  I've looked at many sites on grapefruit seed extract and the majority say it has potential endocrine disrupting activity.  It is also said that it isn't the grapefruit seed extract that preserves the product, but the chemicals that are added to it.  Commercially available GSE sold to consumers is made from the seed, pulp, glycerin, and synthetic preservatives all blended together.At the very least it has the potential to be a skin irritant.  Personally, I would take great pains to keep away from children since regular high level exposure to these types of substances might affect the development of their reproductive systems.  Wikipedia has information on GSE:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapefruit_seed_extract 

• Hair relaxers, perms and dyes, especially dyes with ammonia, peroxide, PPD (p-phenylenediamine diaminobenzene), all dark permanent hair dyes. Hair relaxers contain estrogen from placenta and may lead to early puberty and breast cancer.
  
• Lanolin - Though lanolin itself is natural and non-toxic, derived from the wool of sheep, any chemical used on the sheep or wool may contaminate the lanolin.  If used in lotions, soaps, etc. the maker should make sure to order it from an organic farm that promises it doesn't use these chemicals and pesticides on their animals.  Many humans seem to develop an allergy to lanolin products when applied to the skin repeatedly. Especially when used in lotions and creams that don't wash off. This is especially true with the use of lanolin alcohol.

• Laureths - Almost always contaminated by the carcinogens 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide. Very dangerous.
  
  

• Lipstick - An estimated 61 percent of lipsticks on the market contain lead, for which there are no safe levels.
• Liquid hand soaps with triclosan.
• Nail polish and removers with formaldehyde.
• Skin lighteners with hydroquinone or mercury.
• Nano-technology -- Much touted, not regulated, no knowledge of long-term effects as products penetrate deeply into skin, even into organs.
• PABA -- Used in sunscreens, can cause photo-allergic reactions including acne and painful, pus-filled blisters. Banned in many countries.
• Parabens -- Used as a preservative, known to be toxic and can cause skin reactions, affect hormones and have been found in breast cancer tumors.
• PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) -- Potentially carcinogenic petroleum product used in cleansers to dissolve oil. Can also reduce skin's moisture factor and increase the appearance of aging.
• Phthalates -- Found in PVC plastic such as shower caps and curtains, fragrances and some nail polish. Linked to birth defects, especially in male infants.
• Phenoxyethanol -- An aromatic ether alcohol used as a preservative in cosmetics, ointments, toiletries and wipes. The manufacturer says "harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. May cause reproductive defects. Severe eye and skin irritant."
• Propylene Glycol -- A petroleum derivative used to maintain moisture in products, it can penetrate the skin to weaken protein and cell structure. Can also remove barnacles from boats. Can cause brain, liver and kidney abnormalities.
• Sodium Laurel or Laureth Sulphate -- a detergent used in shampoo to create foam, often described as "comes from coconut." Causes rashes and hair loss.
• Synthetic fragrances -- Among the most dangerous ingredients. A leading cause of cosmetic-related allergy and irritation, watery eyes, nausea, mood changes, depression, irritability, anger, memory lapse and more.
• Talc - Used especially as baby powder and in deodorant and antiperspirant products. Long term use may produce the same effects as long term exposure to asbestos. It is mined from the same place as asbestos. It is a carcinogen. It irritates the respiratory system, especially in infants. Talc particles have been found in tumors of female patients who use products with talc in them regularly on their undergarments or pads to absorb moisture.