The Welpr Rating is determined by a scoring formula. The formula takes into account the products safety, user satisfaction, and eco-ethical standing. Click here to learn more.
Best Non-Toxic Makeup Remover in 2024
Written by Camille May
Cofounder & Product Curator
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 remover 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.
Find Non-Toxic Makeup Remover
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.
The Cleanse Soft Foaming Cleanser + Makeup Remover - Ilia
Certifications
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$32.00
Product Details
- Formulated as a daily foaming cleanser that sweeps away impurities and makeup while maintaining skin's pH balance.
- The fragrance-free formula leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed without dryness or stripping.
- Features hydrating sugar complex and plant-based surfactants to create a soft lather for dissolving makeup, mineral SPF, and pollution without drying the skin.
- Includes Pentavitin, a plant-derived sugar complex known for its hydrating and soothing benefits, and Barsolve, which helps maintain balance by cleansing excess sebum.
- Designed for all skin types, including dry, oily, and sensitive.
- Effective in removing daily makeup and mineral SPF; may require a second cleanse for stubborn long-wear makeup.
- Safe for use around the eyes, being ophthalmologist-tested and suitable for contact lens wearers.
- Maintains the skin's natural pH level to prevent dryness, irritation, or acne.
- Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and sustainably sourced and packaged.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Gentle
- Hydrating
- Effective
Cons Mentioned
- Pricey
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, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Saccharide Isomerate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
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.
The Ultimate Makeup Remover Wipes - RMS Beauty
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$18.70
Product Details
- Gentle facial cleansing cloths formulated with moisturizing organic coconut oil.
- Designed for cleansing without irritation, safe for use near the delicate eye area.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Effective
- Moisturizing
- Travel-friendly
Cons Mentioned
- Greasy
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: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) 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.
Herbal Eye Make Up Remover - Eminence
Certifications
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$24.41
Product Details
- Product Type: Beauty
- Country of Origin: United States
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Organic
- Gentle
- Effective
Cons Mentioned
- Burning
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: Organic Phytonutrient Blend™ [Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Domestica (Plum) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Cerasus (Sour Cherry) Fruit Juice*, Myrciaria Dubia (Camu Camu) Fruit Extract*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Juice*, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Juice*, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract*, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Extract*, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract*, Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract*, Euphrasia Officinalis (Eyebright) Extract*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract*, Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Vegetable Glycerin* And Plant-Derived Maltodextrin*], Vegetable Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) (Chamomile) Flower Extract*, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Powder Extract*, Lavandula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Vegetable Heptyl Glucoside, Aqua (Water), Biocomplex2™ [Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Juice*, Malpighia Glabra (Barbados Cherry) Fruit Extract*, Emblica Officinalis (Indian Gooseberry) Fruit Extract*, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Fruit Extract*, Myrciaria Dubia (Camu Camu) Fruit Extract*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water*, Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Fruit Extract*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Plant-Derived Maltodextrin*, Vegetable Glycerin*, Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid) And Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10)
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.
Micellar Water - Be Natural Organics
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$28.00
Product Details
- 1-step cleansing
- No rinse formula
- Leaves skin fresh and hydrated
- Plant-based ingredients
- Contains sea fennel extract, sea kelp extract, and algae extracts
- Suitable for all skin types
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, Helichrysum Italicum Floral Water, Propanediol, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Sorbic Acid, Glycerin, Laminaria (Algae) Extract, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Water, Crithmum Maritimum (Sea Fennel) Extract, Glycerin, Laminaria Digitata (Sea Kelp) 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.
Gentle Cleansing Water - C'est Moi
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$9.99
Product Details
- Gentle, fragrance-free formula suitable for cleansing skin and removing makeup.
- Contains cornflower water, aloe vera, strawberry, kiwi, and apple extracts for a soothing effect.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Gentle
- Refreshing
- Non-toxic
Cons Mentioned
- Burning
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, Propanediol, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Decyl Glucoside, Sorbitol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract*, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract*, Xylitol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract*, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol
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.
Slaai Makeup Melting Butter Cleanser and Bamboo Booster - Drunk Elephant
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$38.00
Product Details
- Formulated with antioxidant-rich kiwi and strawberry seed extracts and virgin Marula oil for a dewy glow after rinsing.
- Designed for dry skin, melts away excess oil, grime, and makeup, and activates into a milk form when water is added for a clean rinse.
- Comes with a magnetic spoon for easy use and storage.
- Includes a Bamboo Booster with ultrafine bamboo spheres and charcoal powder to customize exfoliation.
- Usage includes massaging on dry skin, activating with water to rinse, and optional physical exfoliation 1-2 times per week with the Bamboo Booster.
- Product is made in the USA, adhering to rigorous testing and manufacturing standards without taking shortcuts.
- Certified cruelty-free with no animal testing involved at any stage.
- Contains a nourishing blend of fruit extracts and oils including blueberry, cranberry seed oil, acai fruit oil, watermelon seed oil, and baobab seed oil, which help moisturize and rejuvenate the skin.
- Kalahari Melon Seed Oil included for its soothing, moisturizing, and elasticity restoring properties.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Effective
- Gentle
- Moisturizing
Cons Mentioned
- Scent
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: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Lauryl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Fragaria Ananassa (Strawberry) Seed Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Glycerin
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.
La Micellaire Botanical Cleansing Water - Dore
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$24.00
Product Details
- Ultra-gentle, soothing, rinse-free cleansing micellar water formulated with botanicals to remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup.
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and leaves no residue.
- Incorporates cornflower water to cleanse, along with Damascena rose and aloe vera to hydrate, soothe, and reinforce the skin barrier.
- Cruelty-free, vegan, fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested skincare.
- EWG verified and plastic neutral certification.
- Manufactured in France using clean, simple, and effective ingredients.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Gentle
- Hydrating
- Softening
Cons Mentioned
- Pricey
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, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Xylitylglucoside, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Androxylitol, Sodium Levulinate, Xylitol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, 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.
Milky Oil Dual-Phase Waterproof Makeup Remover - Glossier
Certifications
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$25.00
Product Details
- Formulation: Liquid
- Ingredient Callouts: Vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free
- Dual-phase makeup remover combining micellar water and weightless oil
- Effectively removes long-wearing and waterproof makeup without tugging skin
- Contains comfrey root extract and pro-vitamin B5 for conditioning and soothing skin
- Leaves skin feeling fresh and soft
- Packaged in a mess-free squeezable bottle with dispenser
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, Isohexadecane, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panthenol, Glycerin, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride
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.
holi (cleanse) Natural Cleansing Face Oil - Agent Nateur
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$55.00
Product Details
- Purify, nurture, and hydrate your complexion with a gentle formula.
- Contains a nutrient-dense base of luxury oils to emulsify dirt, oil, and makeup.
- Includes calming plant extracts to enhance the natural luminance of your complexion.
- Non-GMO and gluten-free.
- Petrochemical-free.
- Suitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Suitable for all skin types.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Moisturizing
- Scented
- Non-stripping
Cons Mentioned
- Ineffective
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: Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice Bran) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Leaf) Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil, Myrciaria Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Phoenix Dactylifera (Date) Seed Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, *Benzyl Alcohol
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.
Organic/Wildcrafted Goodnight Oil Eye Makeup Remover - Living Libations
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$31.00
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Gentle
- Softening
- Effective
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: Jojoba – Simmondsia Chinensis, Prickly Pear – Opuntia Ficus Indica, Castor Oil – Ricinus Communis, Frankincense – Boswellia Carterii, Myrrh – Commiphora Myrrha
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.
Natural Water-Free Makeup Cleansing Oil - Fitglow Beauty
Certifications
Highlights
Est. Price
$48.00
Product Details
- Waterless formulation that melts away makeup, nourishes skin with antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins.
- Gently removes makeup, dirt, and impurities, including stubborn eye makeup.
- Suitable for all skin types and textures, leaves skin soft, radiant, and smooth.
- Features recyclable glass bottle packaging with a PCR (post-consumer recycled) pump.
- Contains cloudberry seed oil, cherry blossom, amaranthus squalane, and watermelon seed oil.
- Vegan and cruelty-free, using organic and natural ingredients.
- Free from parabens and silicones.
- 100% woman-owned company.
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: Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil & Prunus (Cherry Blossom) Serrulata Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera, Di-Ppg-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Amaranthus Squalane, Rosa Damascena (Rose) 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.
Cleansing Balm - DIME Beauty
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$38.00
Product Details
- Designed to melt away makeup and cleanse impurities, with a second use as an overnight hydrating mask featuring squalane and shea butter.
- Supports a double cleansing routine to help achieve clear, healthy skin.
- Can be used as an overnight mask for a dewy, hydrated appearance.
- Application involves massaging a quarter-size amount on dry face, then removing with a damp, lukewarm cloth.
- Features sustainable packaging and clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas.
- Each ingredient has a safe Environmental Working Group rating, ensuring daily usage confidence.
Pros & Cons
Pros Mentioned
- Moisturizing
- Hydrating
- Smooth
Cons Mentioned
- Thick
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: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Tristearate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Trihydroxystearin, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Vanilla, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Unsaponifiables, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Phenethyl Alcohol, Propylene Carbonate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bisabolol
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 Makeup Remover
Chemical Name
Why it’s harmful
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
Diethanolamine
Diethanolamine is a chemical found in various consumer products like shampoos, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Acute exposure in humans can result in irritation of the nose, throat, and skin. However, no detailed data is available on its chronic, reproductive, developmental or carcinogenic effects on humans. Studies on animals reveal that acute oral exposure can influence the liver, blood, kidney, and central nervous system, while dermal exposure has been connected with an increased incidence of liver and kidney tumors in mice. Production of first-degree burns, skin irritation, occupational asthma, kidney, and liver injury risk, and potential skin sensitization are some other adverse effects associated with diethanolamine.
Sources:
Chemical Safety Facts: Ethanolamines, NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Diethanolamine, California Environmental Protection Agency: Diethanolamine , International Agency for Research on Cancer: Diethanolamine, Initial List of Hazardous Air Pollutants with Modifications, What is the Toxics Release Inventory?, OPINION CONCERNING DIALKYL- AND DIALKANOLAMINES AND THEIR SALTS IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS, Ethanolamine Compounds (MEA, DEA, TEA And Others), WHAT ARE ETHANOLAMINE COMPOUNDS (DEA, MEA, OR TEA): CHEMICAL FREE LIVING, The Dirty Dozen: DEA-related ingredients, FDA: Diethanolamine, Chemical Profile: Diethanolamine ,
Toluene
Toluene is a clear, colorless liquid that naturally occurs in crude oil and the tolu tree. It's prominent in the production of gasoline, coke from coal, and various consumer products like paints, adhesives, and nail polish. Toluene is even added to gasoline, used to create benzene, and acts as a solvent. However, exposure to toluene, especially from inhalation, can have serious health effects. It primarily targets the central nervous system, inducing symptoms like fatigue, nausea, headaches, and in chronic cases, can cause severe dysfunction. Exposure has also been linked to developmental effects in children, but there isn't enough evidence to conclude its carcinogenic potential. Abuse of toluene can cause permanent brain damage, liver injury, and even potential birth defects or increased risk of spontaneous abortions in pregnant women. Despite these risks, cognitive deficits from toluene exposure below a threshold limit value (TLV) of 50 ppm remain extremely low.
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
Benzophenone
Benzophenone (BZP) is a photoinitiator, fragrance enhancer, and ultraviolet stabilizer, used in a variety of industrial applications. Despite not being registered as a pesticide in the U.S., it's involved in the production of insecticides and agricultural chemicals. Its toxic effects on humans are scarcely documented, but it presents little hormonal activity on cell lines. Animal studies show it possesses no estrogenic activity, but it can transform into derivatives with such activity under UV irradiation. It did not show reproductive toxicity or carcinogenicity in rats and mice, respectively, even at high doses. It can be bioactivated through specific enzymes. For aquatic life, fathead minnow larvae were more sensitive to BZP, ranking it in the middle of the toxicity order of six benzene derivatives.
Sources:
Benzophenone & Related Compounds, Chemical Profile: Benzophenone, Toxicological evaluation of benzophenone, Benzophenone – information sheet, Proposition 65 Warnings: Benzophenone, OEHHA: Benzophenone, FDA Removes 7 Synthetic Flavoring Substances from Food Additives List, Benzophenone-3, a chemical UV-filter in cosmetics: is it really safe for children and pregnant women? ,
DMDM hydantoin
DMDM hydantoin is a substance used in cosmetics that has the potential to cause allergic contact dermatitis, although rinse-off products generally have a low risk. According to various reports, skin sensitization patch testing has yielded positive results.
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.
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