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Best Non-Toxic Exfoliator in 2024
Updated:
Nov 18, 2024
Written by Camille May
Cofounder & Product Curator
+ 1 more
Medically reviewed by Olushola Awoyemi
PhD Environmental Toxicology
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our use of affiliate links does not influence how we rate products. Learn more about our affiliate policy here.
What you should know when choosing non-toxic exfoliators on Welpr:
- Only the cleanest products make it onto Welpr.
- We use a score called the Welpr Rating to rank each product.
- The Welpr Rating is based on math, not opinion, ensuring it's free from human bias.
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Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Fruit Enzyme Cleanser - MyCHELLE Dermaceuticals
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$18.02
Product Details
- Formulated with concentrated fruit-infused actives and essential antioxidants to boost cell renewal and strengthen skin.
- Designed to remove dull, dead skin cells and promote a radiant complexion.
- Contains multi-fruit AHAs and antioxidants that purify pores and improve skin texture.
- Free from GMO, gluten, parabens, petroleum, phthalates, silicones, sulfates, urea, artificial fragrances, and artificial colors.
- Vegetarian, cruelty-free, and dermatologist and allergy tested.
- Part of the MyCHELLE Strengthen collection which aims to support strong, radiant skin.
- Received Environmental Working Group (EWG) verification.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Gentle
- Effective
- Rejuvenating
Cons Mentioned
- Irritating
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters (Beads), Bambusa Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Extract, Pectin (Fruit Enzymes), Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Juice, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Leaf Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus (Butcher's Broom) Root Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Bark Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Panthenol (D), Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil, Xanthan Gum, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydrolyzed Starch Phosphate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sucrose Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Alcohol, Maltodextrin
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Intensive Sugar Scrub - Isoi
Certifications
Highlights
Est. Price
$27.40
Product Details
- HOW TO USE: Wet face with lukewarm water.
- Apply a small amount to damp face and gently massage, focusing on dry and rough areas.
- Rinse well after use.
- Recommended to use twice a week following cleansing.
- Can also be used as a lip polish.
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Glycerin, Sucrose, Water, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Sophora Japonica Bud Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Hydrating Herbal Exfoliant - Qet Botanicals
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$44.00
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Avena Sativa (Gluten-Free Oat) Kernel Flour*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower*, Maris Sal (Himalayan Pink Salt), Sucrose (Cane Sugar)*, Camellia Sinensis (Matcha Green Tea) Leaves*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil* Organic Ingredient
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator - Humanrace
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$73.99
Product Details
- Combines glycolic, enzymatic, and rice particle exfoliation methods to remove dead skin cells and promote a balanced appearance.
- Formulated with 8% glycolic acid, 2% fruit AHAs, micronized rice particles, and enzymes from pumpkin, papaya, and pomegranate.
- Gentle enough for use 2-3 times per week.
- Helps protect skin against UV rays and environmental stressors while improving texture and clarifying the complexion.
- Founded by Pharrell Williams, with a mission to empower well-being through universal face and body products.
- To use: Gently massage 2-to-3 pumps in circular motions on clean, damp skin, avoid eye area, and rinse with lukewarm water; ideal for 2-3 times weekly use, adjustable based on skin response.
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid (8%), Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Potassium Hydroxide, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Water, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf (Lotus) Extract, Lactobacillus/Papaya Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Ferment Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Sodium Pca, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hectorite (Clay), Xanthan Gum, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Oceanly Face Scrub Bar - Attitude
Certifications
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$19.40
Product Details
- Smooths skin by eliminating dead cells from the surface.
- Contains naturally sourced ingredients like bamboo powder for refining skin texture and complexion, and laminaria digitata extract from algae with revitalizing properties.
- Includes peptides to rebuild the skin's moisture barrier.
- EWG Verified: contains no ingredients of concern according to Environmental Working Group standards.
- 100% vegan and cruelty-free formula.
- Comes in FSC-certified, plastic-free, and biodegradable paper packaging.
- Designed to cleanse effectively without drying out the skin.
- Performance-driven and environmentally friendly.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Gentle
- Effective
- Smooth
Cons Mentioned
- Residue
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Dicaprylyl Ether, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Bambusa Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Extract, Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Wax, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Aqua/Water/Eau, Glyceryl Caprylate, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rice Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Extract, Proline
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Sea Moss Exfoliator - Cocokind
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$19.16
Product Details
- Ultra-gently physical exfoliant that removes dead skin buildup and supports the skin's renewal process for a smooth, radiant-looking complexion.
- Contains upcycled wine powder and Irish moss powder that help to exfoliate and nourish the skin, supporting elasticity.
- Gentle enough for use three to four times a week.
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free.
- Formulated to not only fulfill their intended function but also to provide hydration and support the skin barrier, enhancing overall skin health and appearance.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- None
Cons Mentioned
- Clumpy
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Chondrus Crispus Powder, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Powder, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% - Naturium
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$17.99
Product Details
- Formulated with microencapsulated salicylic acid and a bioactive fruit complex to be gentle on the skin.
- Free from irritating fragrance ingredients.
- Designed to mimic the natural exfoliation process of young skin, aiding in oil balance and moisture retention.
- Targets unclogging pores, evening skin tone, and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles for a radiant complexion.
- Suitable for daily use as a leave-on exfoliant.
- Cruelty-free product, ensuring no animal testing.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Refreshing
- Exfoliating
- Effective
Cons Mentioned
- Smelly
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carrageenan, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Tocopherol
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Brightening Facial Scrub - Acure
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$10.99
Product Details
- Contains sea kelp super-nutrients that soften and detoxify the skin.
- Lemon peel and French green clay help exfoliate and purify.
- Incorporates Madonna lily to enhance skin brightness.
- Suitable for all skin types; designed to draw out impurities and remove dead skin cells.
- 100% Vegan formula, free from Parabens, Sulfates, Mineral oil, Petrolatum, and Formaldehyde.
- Certified cruelty-free, excluding animal testing in its development.
- Recommended use: Apply to wet face, scrub gently with fingertips, and rinse thoroughly; use three times per week for best results.
- Part of the Acure Brightening collection which aims to improve skin's appearance and increase radiance with plant extracts and antioxidants.
- Focuses on creating powerful skin and hair products through thoughtful ingenuity, combining super nutrients effectively.
- Committed to providing accessible skin and hair care products that enhance overall wellness and health.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Gentle
- Effective
- Natural
Cons Mentioned
- Coarse
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Water/Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Kaolin (French Green Clay), Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Glyceryl Laurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Laminaria Digitata (Kelp) Powder, Lilium Candidum Leaf (Madonna) Leaf Culture Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract*, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract*, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract*, Punica Granatum Extract*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Asphalatus Linearis (Rooibos) Leaf Extract*, Chlorophyll, Chrondus Crispus Extract, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Lemongrass) Leaf Oil, Mentha Virdis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Lavandula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Levulinate, Glucono-Delta Lactone, Potassium Sorbate
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Gommage Exfoliating Gel - Sonage
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$38.50
Product Details
- Non-abrasive, microbead-free exfoliator suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
- Gel peel formulation that brightens complexion, smoothens skin, and eliminates dead skin cells without causing irritation.
- Contains natural ingredients such as Locust Bean, Nettle Extract, and Lime Oil.
- Offers gentle exfoliation for even the most sensitive skin by removing surface dead skin cells, leaving a healthy glow.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Hydrating
- Gentle
- Effective
Cons Mentioned
- Expensive
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Sodium Olivate, Ceratonia Siliqua (Locust Bean) Gum, Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Bark Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Leaf Oil, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
VITAMINSCRUB Antioxidant Infused Exfoliating Face & Body Scrub with Vitamin C - CLEARstem
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$45.00
Product Details
- Antioxidant-infused formulation gently polishes and removes dead skin cells while unclogging pores.
- Contains vitamin C and green tea which brighten and calm the skin respectively, aiding in the reduction of hormonal acne.
- Incorporates bamboo particles for gentle skin resurfacing and pore clarity.
- Free from potential pore-cloggers and hormone disruptors, ensuring compatibility with sensitive skin.
- Made with natural and organic ingredients without added chemicals or perfumes.
- Developed by CLEARstem Skincare, combining clinical experience with revolutionary formulas to address multiple skin concerns.
- Product is cruelty-free, not tested on animals, and produced in the USA.
- Designed for daily exfoliation to enhance product absorption and improve skin texture.
- Enriched with Sea Buckthorn, Chamomile, Goldenseal, and Vitamin C Bioflavonoids for added skin nourishment and oil absorption.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Gentle
- Effective
- Scented
Cons Mentioned
- Drying
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Water/Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract Or Juice*, Propanediol, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Bambusa Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Extract, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium, Cocoyl Glycinate, Cocamide MIPA, Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl, Glucamide, Sclerotium Gum, Arthemis Nobilis Or Chamaemelum Nobile*, Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract*, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Capsaicin, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Hesperidin, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Lactic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil*, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Ormenis Mixta, Chamaemelum Mixtum, Or Ormenis Multicaulis*, Panthenol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Certified Organic*
Our Product Rating System
First, Camille (co-creator of Welpr) hand picks cleaner product options from a variety of sources.
Next, we collect information about each product's safety, consumer satisfaction, and eco-ethical standing.
Finally, we run all this information through an algorithm that calculates the Welpr Rating.
Welpr Rating:
5.0/5
Part 1: Product safety
We evaluate safety information from 3rd party organizations (e.g. EWG, Made Safe, etc.). Instead of relying solely on any one of these companies for safety information, we assess all of them.
Part 2: Consumer satisfaction
We scour the web for consumer ratings and reviews to verify products are not only cleaner options, but also effective. Products can either be Above Average, Average, or Below average for their respective category (e.g. cleaning products).
Part 3: Ethics & Environment
When you buy a product, you’re supporting that company with your dollars. We believe it’s important to support ethical companies, so we pool together certifications that verify a company's ethics and environmental impact.
Common Harmful Chemicals in Exfoliator
Chemical Name
Why it’s harmful
Triclosan
Triclosan is a synthetic pesticide with antibacterial properties commonly added to detergents, soaps, and various personal care products such as deodorants and toothpastes. Although it lacks the ability to combat viruses causing colds and flus, it's used in products like body washes, disinfectants, and some toothpastes to resist bacterial growth. In 2016, the FDA limited its use in antibacterial soaps, but the compound is still permitted in other products. The European Union prohibited its presence in food-contact items in 2010. Exposure to triclosan has been associated with hormone disruption, increased breast cancer risk, liver damage, and the development of resistant super-germs.
Sources:
Triclosan Exposure, Transformation, and Human Health Effects, Are antibacterial products with triclosan fueling bacterial resistance?, Antimicrobial agents, triclosan, chloroxylenol, methylisothiazolinone and borax, used in cleaning had genotoxic and histopathologic effects on rainbow trout, The Effects of Triclosan on Puberty and Thyroid Hormones in Male Wistar Rats, Triclosan is a potent inhibitor of estradiol and estrone sulfonation in sheep placenta, The in Vitro estrogenic activities of triclosan and triclocarban, Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It, Use Plain Soap and Water, Environmental Exposure of Aquatic and Terrestrial Biota to Triclosan and Triclocarban, Triclosan: Environmental Fate and Effects, Chemical Profile: Triclosan / Triclocarban, 5 Things to Know About Triclosan, Underarm Harm? Whats So Bad About Antiperspirants?, Some flame retardants and the antimicrobials triclosan and triclocarban enhance the androgenic activity in vitro, Triclocarban Enhances Testosterone Action: A New Type of Endocrine Disruptor?, Triclosan, a commonly used bactericide found in human milk and in the aquatic environment in Sweden
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium laureth sulfate, derived from ethoxylated lauryl alcohol, is a surfactant used in sudsy products like toothpaste, detergents, and shampoos. While it acts as a cleansing and emulsifying agent, it can sometimes contain toxic impurities such as 1,4-dioxane. This chemical has raised health concerns due to its potential to cause skin, lung, and eye irritation, organ toxicity, and, primarily because of contamination by 1,4 dioxane, cancer.
Sources:
The Dirty Dozen: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, 15 Toxic Trespassers, SKIP PRODUCTS MADE WITH SLES (AND SLS, TOO!), Campaign for Safe Costmetics: 1,4-DIOXANE, WHAT IS SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE: CHEMICAL FREE LIVING, A new formula for a mild body cleanser: sodium laureth sulphate supplemented with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside,
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is recognised as a skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant according to ICSC. It may cause allergic reactions and eye irritation as stated by the HSDB. Exposure may even result in eye burns, as per CAMEO. Depending on its form - which may range from a solid (90-98% purity), to a paste (30-41%), or an aqueous solution (28-50%) - it can significantly irritate skin and eyes, with adverse effects escalating with increased concentration. Despite these hazards, it is not a skin sensitizer according to CHEMINFO, while eChemPortal: ERMA and MSDSonline endorse its classification as an irritant.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas with a pungent smell that's naturally produced in small quantities in human bodies and is also known as methanal amongst other names. It's used in the production of various items such as fertilizers, paper, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde resins as well as in some foods and household products like antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics. Exposure to formaldehyde, which can occur through breathing contaminated indoor air, tobacco smoke, or ambient urban air can lead to respiratory symptoms, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat and has been linked to lung and nasopharyngeal cancer as well as leukemia. The EPA considers formaldehyde a probable human carcinogen (Group B1) and inhaling it can cause bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. Commercially, it's sold as formalin in solutions of 37%, 44%, or 50% and long-term exposure can cause first-degree burns, skin sensitization, squamous cell nasal cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstruction.
Sources:
Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk, Cleaning Products & Indoor Air Quality, No More Toxic Tub, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Preservatives, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Formaldehyde And Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives, Formaldehyde may be found in cosmetic products even when unlabelled, Formaldehyde Found in Popular American Beauty Products, Hair Salons - Formaldehyde in Your Products, Formaldehyde in cosmetic products
Phthalate
Phthalates, linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, and cancer, are banned in the European Union but remain prevalent in U.S. cosmetics. They are widely used in personal care products, such as nail polish, fragrances, and eyelash glue and other products. A significant loophole allows phthalates to be added to fragrances without disclosure. Health concerns include endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and potential carcinogenicity.
Sources:
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Phthalates, Product Profile: Hand Sanitizer, Phthalates in Cosmetics, Phthalates in cosmetic and personal care products: concentrations and possible dermal exposure, A Survey of Phthalates and Parabens in Personal Care Products from the United States and Its Implications for Human Exposure, Phthalates Factsheet, BPA and Phthalates: Chemicals found in our homes
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