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Reference

Master Ingredient Blacklist

Every ingredient worth avoiding, categorised by concern level, with a plain-English explanation of why.

12 min read·The Toolkit··

This is your comprehensive reference guide. Every ingredient is categorised by concern level and includes the names you'll actually see on labels.

Avoid
Caution
Lower Risk

Priority avoidance

These ingredients have strong evidence of harm. Eliminate them where possible.

Endocrine disruptors

Avoid

Parabens

Avoid

Endocrine disruptors found in cosmetics and lotions

Phthalates

Avoid

Hidden in "fragrance" — linked to hormone disruption

Oxybenzone

Avoid

Chemical sunscreen ingredient that mimics estrogen

Triclosan

Avoid

Antibacterial agent linked to thyroid disruption

Caution

Retinol (during pregnancy)

Caution

Generally safe but avoid during pregnancy

Silicones

Caution

Not toxic but may affect skin barrier over time

Lower Risk

Zinc Oxide Sunscreen

Lower Risk

Mineral sunscreen — stays on skin surface

Squalane

Lower Risk

Natural moisturizer derived from plants

Placeholder content listing (all forms), phthalates, BPA/BPS/BPF, , , octinoxate, and other known hormone disruptors.

Carcinogens and probable carcinogens

Placeholder content listing formaldehyde releasers, coal tar, certain hair dye chemicals, and others.

PFAS (forever chemicals)

Placeholder content listing PTFE, perfluoro compounds, and where they hide in products.

Moderate concern

These ingredients are worth reducing but lower priority than the above.

Placeholder content covering SLS/SLES, certain silicones, synthetic fragrances, PEGs, and others.

Often misunderstood

Placeholder content about ingredients that sound scary but are actually fine — sodium chloride, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, etc.

This list will be updated as new research emerges. Bookmark this page and check back periodically.

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