This is the reference document for the vault. Everything is organised by category and concern level. Use it when checking a product label, doing a bathroom audit, or shopping.
Tier 1 — Avoid in all personal care products
These have the strongest evidence of harm and no functional advantage over safer alternatives.
| Ingredient | Also listed as | Found in | Concern | |-----------|----------------|----------|---------| | | E218 | Moisturisers, shampoos, cosmetics | Oestrogenic activity, accumulates in tissue | | | E216 | Same as above | Stronger oestrogen mimicry than methyl | | | — | Preservative in many products | Strongest oestrogenic activity of | | Isobutylparaben | — | Same as above | As above | | Formaldehyde | Formalin | Nail hardeners, some preservatives | Known carcinogen | | DMDM Hydantoin | — | Shampoo, conditioner, lotion | Releases formaldehyde | | Quaternium-15 | — | Same | Formaldehyde releaser | | Imidazolidinyl urea | Germall 115 | Preservative in many products | Formaldehyde releaser | | Diazolidinyl urea | Germall II | Same | Formaldehyde releaser | | Hydroquinone | 1,4-dihydroxybenzene | Skin lighteners | Linked to ochronosis, potential carcinogen | | Coal tar | Aminophenol, diaminobenzene | Hair dye, anti-dandruff shampoo | Carcinogenic compounds | | p-Phenylenediamine | PPD | Permanent hair dye | Carcinogen, potent sensitiser |
Tier 2 — Avoid in high-use leave-on products
These have meaningful evidence of concern. Priority for avoidance in moisturisers, body lotions, deodorants, and period products — lower urgency for rinse-off products.
| Ingredient | Also listed as | Found in | Concern | |-----------|----------------|----------|---------| | | | Almost everything | Undisclosed chemicals including phthalates, musks | | | | Chemical sunscreens | Oestrogenic activity, absorbed transdermally | | Octinoxate | Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate | Chemical sunscreens | Endocrine disruption | | Homosalate | — | Chemical sunscreens | Accumulates in body, hormone disruption | | Dibutyl phthalate | DBP | Nail polish, | Anti-androgenic, reproductive toxicity | | Diethyl phthalate | DEP | , hairspray | Anti-androgenic | | Cyclomethicone | D4, D5 (cyclopentasiloxane) | Hair products, skin care | Persistent environmental contaminant, D4 is endocrine disruptor | | | | Toothpaste, some soaps | Thyroid disruption, antibiotic resistance | | Triclocarban | TCC | Some soaps | Similar to | | PEG compounds | PEG-n (any number) | Emulsifiers in many products | Possible 1,4-dioxane contamination; penetration enhancer | | Sodium laureth sulphate | SLES | Shampoos, body wash | Possible 1,4-dioxane contamination | | BHA | Butylated hydroxyanisole | Preservative in cosmetics, food | Possible carcinogen |
Food Ingredients and Additives to Avoid
| Ingredient | Also listed as | Found in | Concern | |-----------|----------------|----------|---------| | Artificial food dyes | Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3 | Sweets, drinks, cereals, sauces | Behaviour effects in children; petroleum-derived | | Sodium nitrate/nitrite | E250, E251 | Processed meats | Forms carcinogenic nitrosamines | | BHA | E320 | Packaged snacks, cereals, oils | Possible carcinogen | | BHT | E321 | Same as BHA | Mixed safety evidence | | TBHQ | E319 | Fast food oils, packaged snacks | Oxidative stress concerns | | Potassium bromate | E924 | Flour, baked goods (mainly US) | Probable carcinogen, banned in EU/UK/Canada | | High-fructose corn syrup | HFCS, glucose-fructose syrup | US processed foods extensively | Liver stress, insulin resistance at high intake | | Brominated vegetable oil | BVO | Citrus drinks (mainly US) | Bromine accumulation, thyroid disruption | | Carrageenan | E407 | Some dairy alternatives, processed foods | Gastrointestinal inflammation in some people | | Monosodium glutamate | MSG, E621 | Many packaged foods | Generally safe but causes reactions in sensitive individuals | | Artificial sweeteners (heavy use) | Aspartame (E951), sucralose (E955), acesulfame K (E950) | Diet drinks, sugar-free products | Mixed evidence; gut microbiome effects with regular use |
Cleaning Product Ingredients to Avoid
| Ingredient | Also listed as | Found in | Concern | |-----------|----------------|----------|---------| | Quaternary ammonium compounds | Quats, DDAC, benzalkonium chloride | Disinfectant sprays, wipes, fabric softeners | Asthma, reproductive effects, antibiotic resistance | | | , | Nearly all conventional cleaning products | Same concerns as personal care | | 2-Butoxyethanol | EGBE | Some glass cleaners | Reproductive toxicity | | Alkylphenol ethoxylates | APEs, nonylphenol | Degreasers, some detergents | Oestrogenic activity, persistent environmental contaminant | | Chlorine bleach (regular use) | Sodium hypochlorite | Disinfectants, bleaches | VOCs from use, dangerous if mixed with other cleaners |
Contaminants (Not Ingredients — But Worth Knowing)
These appear in products without being intentionally added:
1,4-Dioxane — found as a manufacturing byproduct in products containing PEGs and sulphate surfactants. Not listed on labels. NSF/ANSI certification is one way to screen for it.
PFAS — in non-stick cookware, some food packaging, waterproof fabrics, period underwear. Look for brands with third-party PFAS testing certification.
Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury) — found in some conventional cosmetics, particularly certain lipsticks, eyeshadows, and skin-lightening products. Third-party testing by EWG has detected them in multiple brands.
Benzene — detected in some aerosol personal care products in recent recalls. Aerosol dry shampoos and hairsprays have been most implicated.
How to Check a Product Label Quickly
- Look for "" or "" — flag any leave-on product containing it
- Scan for the Tier 1 list: , formaldehyde releasers, hydroquinone, coal tar dyes
- For sunscreen: check if active ingredients are zinc oxide/titanium dioxide (mineral) or chemical filters ( etc)
- For cleaners: look for "quaternary ammonium" or "benzalkonium chloride" in the active ingredients
- For food: scan for artificial dyes (Red/Yellow/Blue numbers), nitrates, and BHA/BHT/TBHQ
The EWG Healthy Living app allows ingredient scanning by barcode. Imperfect but useful for a quick check.