Everlasting Organics · Ingredient Transparency
Ingredients to Avoid
in Body Care.
Your skin is your body's largest organ — it absorbs what you put on it. These are the ingredients most commonly found in conventional skincare that we believe have no place on your body or your family's.
Know What You're Putting On
Transparency means more than listing clean ingredients — it means calling out the ones we avoid and why. Use this guide to read labels with confidence and make empowered choices for your skin and your health.
Warning Classification Legend
Primary Offenders — Most Common Toxic Ingredients to Avoid
These are the ingredients with the most documented concerns. Look for them first whenever you read a body care label — they appear frequently across lotions, cleansers, shampoos, sunscreens, and more.
Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life in body care products. Both are linked to hormone disruption and potential cancer risk with repeated exposure.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Artificial colorants derived from petroleum or coal tar that may be contaminated with heavy metals. Some are linked to skin sensitivity and cancer with long-term use.
Used as emulsifiers or pH adjusters. These can react during formulation to create carcinogenic nitrosamines — compounds linked to liver and kidney cancer.
DEA: Diethanolamine
TEA: Triethanolamine
A known human carcinogen sometimes released slowly by preservatives used in water-based products. Can also cause skin irritation, contact dermatitis, and allergic reactions.
Petroleum-derived ingredients that form an occlusive barrier on the skin. While they can lock in moisture, they do not nourish the skin — and when not properly refined, they may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are classified as possible carcinogens. They also clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing naturally.
Chemical sunscreen ingredients associated with hormone disruption and coral reef damage. Oxybenzone absorbs through the skin and has been detected in blood, urine, and breast milk. Many chemical UV filters have similar concerns.
Among the most common preservatives in personal care products. Parabens mimic estrogen in the body and have been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and breast cancer. They have been found in breast tumor tissue.
Petroleum-based thickeners or softeners that may be contaminated with carcinogenic byproducts like 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide during the manufacturing process. They also act as penetration enhancers, potentially driving other harmful ingredients deeper into the skin.
Commonly hidden under the word "fragrance" on ingredient lists. Associated with endocrine disruption, reproductive harm, and developmental toxicity — particularly concerning for pregnant women and young children.
A harsh synthetic surfactant that strips the skin's natural oils, disrupts the moisture barrier, and can cause dryness, redness, and irritation — especially with repeated use. Particularly problematic for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
A broad umbrella term that can legally contain hundreds of undisclosed chemicals — including phthalates, allergens, and neurotoxins. Companies are not required to disclose fragrance ingredients, making it one of the most deceptive entries on any label.
Synthetic fragrance compounds used to create musky scents in perfumes and body care products. Many are bioaccumulative — meaning they build up in human tissue over time — and some have been linked to endocrine disruption and environmental toxicity.
A solvent found primarily in nail products and hair dyes. Linked to immune suppression, reproductive toxicity, and neurological damage with repeated exposure.
An antimicrobial agent linked to hormone disruption, skin irritation, and potential antibiotic resistance. Banned in many countries but still found in some U.S. personal care products.
Secondary Offenders — Lurking in Labels
These don't always appear, but when they do — they carry serious risks. They often hide under vague or technical labels and may show up in specialty or "natural" branded products.
Used for antiperspirant properties in deodorants. Aluminum compounds block sweat glands and may be linked to neurotoxicity and breast cancer, particularly when applied to freshly shaved skin near lymph nodes. Research is ongoing.
A preservative and antimicrobial agent known to cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, and skin sensitivity with repeated exposure.
Used as solvents and skin-conditioning agents. While generally considered low risk alone, they enhance skin penetration of other ingredients — potentially driving harmful co-ingredients deeper into the body.
A synthetic preservative often used as a paraben alternative. While considered safer than parabens, it can irritate skin and mucous membranes and may impact the nervous system in higher doses. Particularly concerning in products used on infants.
Vitamin A is beneficial in nighttime skincare — but studies suggest that retinyl palmitate may accelerate skin damage and tumor formation when exposed to sunlight. It is not a concern in nighttime formulas.
Silicone-based compounds used to create silky textures in skin and hair products. Certain types — particularly D4 and D5 — are linked to hormone disruption, reproductive toxicity, and environmental persistence. They bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.
A soft mineral used for its silky feel and oil-absorbing properties. When not properly purified, talc can be contaminated with asbestos — a known carcinogen. Particularly concerning in products used near the body's most sensitive areas.
Every product we make is built on what we choose not to include.
Our full ingredient transparency extends to every label, every product, and every promise we make to you and your family.