The Dirty Ingredients List

The ingredients most worth avoiding in skincare and personal care are undisclosed "fragrance", formaldehyde-based hair-smoothing products, the preservative methylisothiazolinone (MI), PFAS "forever chemicals" and antibacterial triclosan, plus cyclic silicones and plastic microbeads for environmental reasons. A second group is worth limiting rather than fearing: some phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, loose talc, ethoxylated ingredients, long-chain parabens, two sunscreen filters and the contaminant benzene. And four famous "nasties", aluminium in antiperspirant, methyl- and ethylparaben, SLS and petroleum jelly, don't deserve their reputation. Below, every ingredient is ranked by how strong the evidence actually is, with Australian rules, the names it goes by on a label, and a simpler swap.

Most "dirty ingredient" lists online are copy-pasted scare sheets. They throw everything with a long name into one bucket, call it toxic, and sell you a "clean" alternative that often isn't much better. This one is sorted by evidence, and it says so when the evidence doesn't help us.

How we ranked each ingredient

• Tier 1 – Leave it on the shelf. Strong evidence of a real problem in normal use (a common allergy, a clear exposure risk or lasting environmental harm), usually with regulators acting on it, and an easy swap.
• Tier 2 – Worth limiting. A real concern, but it depends on the product, the dose, how it's made or whether it's been contaminated.
• Tier 3 – Overhyped. It's on every scare list, but the evidence doesn't back the fear.

One thing first: "chemical" isn't a dirty word. Water is a chemical. So is beeswax. In Australia, the ingredients in cosmetics and soaps, including the ones sold as "organic" and "natural", are regulated as industrial chemicals by AICIS. The useful question isn't "is it a chemical?" It's "what does this one do, how much of it is there, and is there a better option?"

A note on Australian and overseas rules. We've used Australian sources wherever we can: the TGA, AICIS, the ACCC, Cancer Council and Australian dermatology research. On many of these ingredients, Europe or parts of the US have acted and Australia hasn't, so we point to overseas regulators to show where the evidence is heading. That doesn't mean products on Australian shelves are unsafe or illegal. Products sold here have to meet Australian rules. It means the rules differ between countries, so it pays to read the label yourself.

The list at a glance

Tier 1: Leave it on the shelf

1. Undisclosed fragrance ("Fragrance" / "Parfum")

What it is: One word on the label that can stand for dozens of ingredients. Fragrance blends are treated as trade secrets, and Australia's mandatory cosmetics labelling standard lets a brand list the whole blend as a single ingredient.

Where you'll find it: Almost everywhere: shampoo, body wash, moisturiser, deodorant. "Unscented" isn't the same as "fragrance-free". An unscented product can still contain a masking scent added to cancel out the smell of the base.

Label names: Fragrance, Parfum, Aroma, Perfume, Flavour (in lip and mouth products).

Why it's on the list: Fragrance is one of the most common causes of allergic skin reactions to cosmetics, and with "parfum" you can't see which allergens you're getting. Europe now makes brands show them. Since 31 July 2026, new cosmetics placed on the EU market must name each of more than 80 fragrance allergens on the label when they're above 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products, up from the old list of 26. Products already on shelves there have until 31 July 2028. Australia has no equivalent rule. Fragrance is also the main route for the phthalate DEP into your body (see #8).

The honest bit: Many of those allergens, like limonene and linalool, occur naturally in essential oils, and the EU treats plant-derived allergens the same as synthetic ones. So "natural fragrance" isn't automatically gentler. The problem with "parfum" is that it's a black box.

The better option: Genuinely fragrance-free, or products that name every scent ingredient so you can avoid the ones you react to.

2. Formaldehyde in hair-smoothing products

What it is: Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and a strong skin allergen. Some keratin and "Brazilian" smoothing products contain it, or methylene glycol (formaldehyde dissolved in water), which gives off formaldehyde gas when the hair is heated with a flat iron.

Where you'll find it: Salon smoothing services and some at-home kits.

Label names: Formaldehyde, Formalin, Methylene Glycol, Methanediol.

Why it's on the list: Heating releases formaldehyde into the air you and your hairdresser breathe. A 2022 US National Institutes of Health study of 33,497 women estimated that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners would develop uterine cancer by age 70, compared with 4.05% of frequent users (more than four times in the previous year). To be fair to the evidence: the study didn't record brands or ingredients, formaldehyde is one suspect among several, and uterine cancer is still rare.

The US FDA first planned to propose a ban on formaldehyde in these products in 2023 and has missed its own deadlines repeatedly. Its July 2026 regulatory agenda now targets November 2026 for publishing the proposal. As of late October 2026, no ban is in force.

The better option: Skip formaldehyde-based smoothing. If a salon offers a smoothing service, ask to see the product's safety data sheet and check it for formaldehyde, formalin or methylene glycol.

3. Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)

What they are: Strong, cheap preservatives that took over when "paraben-free" became a selling point.

Where you'll find them: Wet wipes (including baby wipes), shampoo, conditioner, body wash, liquid hand soap. Also paint and household cleaners, which cosmetic rules don't cover.

Label names: Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, MI, MCI, "Kathon CG".

Why it's on the list: This is the clearest example of a "free-from" swap backfiring, and Australia was hit hard. Melbourne dermatologists reported in the Medical Journal of Australia that MI reactions among their patch-test patients rose from 3.5% in 2011 to 11.3% in 2013, with baby wipes a major source (summarised by the TGA). Their later paper, The methylisothiazolinone contact allergy epidemic in Australia, found rates peaked at around one in five patients tested in 2015.

Regulators did act. The EU banned MI from leave-on cosmetics, including wet wipes, from 12 February 2017, then cut the limit in rinse-off products. Australia followed: from 1 October 2017 the Poisons Standard scheduled MI in leave-on skin products, which effectively took it out of them, and limited how much rinse-off products can contain.

Regulation works, and the numbers show it. Across Europe, allergy to the MCI/MI mix fell from a peak of 7.6% in 2013–14 to 4.4% in 2017–18, while in North America, where rules were looser, it climbed to 10.8%, and MI alone reached 15.0%. A 2026 review of 115 studies covering more than 1.5 million dermatitis patients found MI allergy in 5.48% of those tested for it. Those are people already being tested for a rash, not the general population, but it's still one of the most common preservative allergies there is.

The better option: Avoid it in anything you leave on your skin, especially wipes. Use a soft cloth and water for babies, and bars or water-free balms where you can. If you have a rash you can't explain, check your products, including cleaning products, for MI.

4. PFAS ("forever chemicals")

What they are: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They make products waterproof, long-wearing and smooth. They're called "forever chemicals" because they barely break down, in the environment or in the body.

Where you'll find them: Long-wear and waterproof makeup (foundation, mascara, lipstick), some pressed powders, some shaving creams and some dental floss.

Label names: Anything with "fluoro" in it: PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene, the same family as Teflon), Perfluorohexane, Perfluorodecalin, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether, C9-15 Fluoroalcohol Phosphate.

Why it's on the list: Mostly persistence. Once they're made, they don't go away. Direct evidence that wearing PFAS makeup harms the person wearing it is limited, but governments are acting on the build-up. As of March 2026, fourteen US states had enacted bans on intentionally added PFAS in cosmetics. Maine and Minnesota plan to ban all unnecessary PFAS uses by 2032, and New Mexico is targeting all non-exempt products by 2032.

The Australian angle most lists miss: from 1 July 2025, Australia banned the import, manufacture and use of three PFAS (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS). Those are older industrial PFAS, not the fluoro-ingredients usually found in makeup. Australia has no cosmetic-specific PFAS ban, so the label is your only check.

The better option: Plant waxes (candelilla, carnauba), beeswax, plant oils and mineral pigments. For floss, silk or plant-fibre floss coated in beeswax does the job without a fluoro-coating.

5. Triclosan and triclocarban

What they are: Antibacterial agents sold as extra germ-killing power.

Where you'll find them: "Antibacterial" soap and body wash, and some deodorants and toothpastes.

Label names: Triclosan, Triclocarban.

Why it's on the list: Little upside, so even modest concerns tip the balance. In 2016 the US FDA banned triclosan, triclocarban and 17 other ingredients from consumer antiseptic washes because manufacturers hadn't shown they work better than plain soap and water, or that they're safe for long-term daily use. Concerns include hormone effects seen in animal studies and a possible role in antibiotic resistance. The EU stopped approving triclosan for human hygiene biocidal products in 2017.

In Australia, the chemicals stayed legal after the US ban. Several big manufacturers removed them voluntarily, but no law made them.

The better option: Plain soap and water. It lifts germs off your skin so they rinse away, and that's all everyday washing needs.

6. Cyclic silicones (D4, D5, D6)

What they are: Lightweight silicones that give products a silky "slip" and then evaporate.

Where you'll find them: Hair serums, primers, foundation, "dry touch" moisturisers, some deodorants.

Label names: Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), Cyclohexasiloxane (D6), Cyclomethicone.

Why it's on the list: This one is about the environment, not your skin. The EU's chemicals agency found these silicones are very persistent and build up in living things, and that cosmetics are the main source of their release. D4 and D5 have been capped below 0.1% in EU wash-off products since 31 January 2020. D6 joined that cap on 6 June 2026, and from 6 June 2027 the cap covers leave-on products too. D4 is also on the EU's list of banned cosmetic ingredients. They're in Tier 1 because the environmental evidence was strong enough for a ban and the swap is easy, not because they're dangerous to touch.

The better option: Light plant oils like jojoba (technically a liquid wax), olive-derived squalane, or a simple balm for frizz.

7. Microplastics and plastic glitter

What they are: Tiny solid plastic particles added for texture, scrubbing or sparkle.

Where you'll find them: Exfoliating scrubs, glitter makeup, some body washes, and film-forming ingredients in long-wear makeup.

Label names: Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Nylon-12, Polyethylene Terephthalate (often in glitter), some "Acrylates Copolymer" ingredients.

Why it's on the list: They wash down the drain and don't break down. The EU's microplastics restriction banned microbeads and loose plastic glitter sold on its own from 17 October 2023. Cosmetics then follow a staged timetable: rinse-off products by October 2027, leave-on products by October 2029, and makeup, lip and nail products by October 2035, which must carry a "contains microplastics" label from October 2031. Loose glitter sold as a cosmetic follows those cosmetic deadlines, not the 2023 date.

The better option: Sugar, salt, ground oats or jojoba beads for scrubs, and mineral-based shimmer for sparkle.

Tier 2: Worth limiting

8. Phthalates

What they are: A family of chemicals used to make plastics flexible and scents last longer.

Where you'll find them: Mostly hidden inside "fragrance" in perfume, aftershave, scented lotion and hair products.

Label names: Rarely listed, because they sit inside "parfum". When listed: Diethyl Phthalate (DEP), Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP).

Why it's on the list: Some phthalates interfere with male reproductive development in animal studies. But the two with the strongest evidence, DBP and DEHP, are already listed in Schedule 10 of Australia's Poisons Standard for cosmetic use, which bans them from cosmetics here. The one you're most likely to meet is DEP, which is found mainly in scented products, and the evidence against DEP is much weaker.

Phthalates leave the body quickly, so your choices make a fast difference. In the HERMOSA study, 100 teenage girls switched to products labelled free of phthalates, parabens and some other chemicals for three days, and the DEP breakdown product in their urine dropped by 27.4% on average. That shows exposure falls. It doesn't show what that exposure was doing to them.

Why we moved it from Tier 1: The phthalates with solid evidence of harm are already out of Australian cosmetics. What's left is a real but weaker concern, which is Tier 2 by our own definition.

The better option: Fragrance-free products, or products that name every scent ingredient.

9. Formaldehyde releasers in everyday products

What they are: Preservatives that slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde to stop bacteria growing.

Where you'll find them: Shampoo, body wash, baby wash, liquid soap, some nail products.

Label names: DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol (Bronopol), Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.

Why it's on the list: If you're allergic to formaldehyde, these can set it off. The EU now requires products to carry the warning "releases formaldehyde" when the total released is above 0.001% (10 ppm). That has applied to new products since 31 July 2024 and to everything on EU shelves since 31 July 2026.

Why we moved it from Tier 1: The proven problem is allergy in people already sensitised, and it's far less common than MI. In European patch testing from 2009 to 2012, formaldehyde releasers caused reactions in under 1% of patients, compared with 4.5% for MI. The amount released in a rinse-off product is small, and we haven't found evidence that it raises cancer risk at those levels. The heated, breathed-in formaldehyde in smoothing products (#2) is a different exposure, which is why that stays in Tier 1.

The better option: If you know you react to formaldehyde, avoid these entirely. Otherwise, limit them where an easy swap exists. Water-free products like balms, bars and oils don't need them at all, because bacteria need water to grow.

10. Talc (especially loose powder)

What it is: A soft mined mineral that absorbs moisture and gives powders a silky feel.

Where you'll find it: Body and baby powder, dry shampoo, loose and pressed makeup.

Label names: Talc, Talcum Powder, Magnesium Silicate.

Why it's on the list: Talc is mined near asbestos, and the two can end up mixed. In 2024, the World Health Organization's cancer agency classified talc as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A), citing a consistent rise in ovarian cancer among women who used body powder in the genital area. It also said the human evidence was limited, and that asbestos contamination or study bias couldn't be ruled out. Testing isn't getting better: in November 2025 the US FDA withdrew its proposed rule requiring standard asbestos testing for talc cosmetics.

Why we moved it from Tier 1: Like benzene and 1,4-dioxane, the main issue is contamination plus how the product is used (loose powder near the genitals, or puffed into the air around a baby), not every product that contains talc. That's Tier 2 by our definition. Loose body and baby powder is the part to take most seriously.

The better option: Arrowroot, cornflour (corn starch), tapioca starch or kaolin clay. All absorbent, with no asbestos question attached.

11. Ethoxylated ingredients (SLES, PEGs and anything with "-eth")

What they are: Ingredients made gentler or more water-friendly through a process called ethoxylation, which can leave behind a contaminant called 1,4-dioxane. It's never on the label, because nobody adds it on purpose.

Where you'll find them: Shampoo, body wash, bubble bath, liquid soap, moisturisers, baby wash.

Label names: Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, anything starting with "PEG-", anything containing "-eth-" (Ceteareth, Steareth, Oleth, Laureth), "-oxynol-", or "Polysorbate".

Why it's on the list: 1,4-dioxane has been linked to cancer and doesn't break down easily in water. New York caps it at 1 part per million in personal care and household cleaning products since 31 December 2023, and 10 ppm in cosmetics since 31 December 2022. The last company waivers expired on 30 December 2025, so every product sold there must now comply. We couldn't find an equivalent product limit in Australia.

New York's own regulator makes the key point: having one of these ingredients doesn't mean a product contains 1,4-dioxane. Only testing can tell you. Good manufacturers purify their ingredients. You just can't tell from the label which ones did.

The better option: True soap (oils fully reacted with lye), or sugar-based cleansers like Coco-Glucoside and Decyl Glucoside, which aren't made by ethoxylation. To be even-handed: true soap is alkaline and can feel drying on some skin.

12. Long-chain parabens

What they are: Parabens are a family of preservatives, and they're not all the same. This is where most "paraben-free" marketing gets lazy.

Where you'll find them: Moisturisers, sunscreens, makeup, shampoo.

Label names to watch: Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Phenylparaben, Benzylparaben, Pentylparaben, and of lesser concern, Propylparaben and Butylparaben.

Why it's on the list: In lab tests, the longer the paraben molecule, the more it tends to mimic oestrogen. The EU banned isopropyl-, isobutyl-, phenyl-, benzyl- and pentylparaben in 2014. It still allows propyl- and butylparaben, but caps them at 0.14% combined and bans them in leave-on products for the nappy area of children under three. A cap rather than a ban is exactly what Tier 2 means.

The better option: Products that don't need heavy preservation (water-free balms, bars and oils), or products that use the short-chain parabens (see Tier 3).

13. Oxybenzone and homosalate (chemical sunscreen filters)

What they are: UV filters that absorb sunlight.

Where you'll find them: Chemical sunscreens, SPF moisturisers, SPF lip balms.

Label names: Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), Homosalate.

Why it's on the list: Australia's own regulator flagged them. In July 2025, the TGA's safety review of seven sunscreen ingredients found that five were fine, but for homosalate and oxybenzone the margin of safety fell below its benchmark of 100 when sunscreen was applied to the whole body at the maximum allowed concentration, which is 15% for homosalate and 10% for oxybenzone. The TGA recommended lower limits because of uncertainty about effects on the hormone system. Europe's homosalate limit is already 7.34%.

What's changed since: The TGA's March 2026 consultation paper said an interim decision was expected in early 2026. As of late October 2026, we couldn't find a published final decision. The TGA has been clear throughout that all sunscreens available in Australia are safe and that it isn't recommending any change in how people use them.

Important: This is not a reason to stop wearing sunscreen. UV exposure causes around 95% of melanomas and 99% of non-melanoma skin cancers in Australia, and Cancer Council recommends sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or above. Please don't make your own sunscreen. Homemade mixes have never been SPF-tested, so you have no idea how much protection you're getting. Choosing a formula without these two filters is a reasonable personal preference, not an emergency.

The better option: A broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen based on zinc oxide, SPF 30 or higher.

14. Benzene (a contaminant, not an ingredient)

What it is: A known human carcinogen. It's never on a label because nobody adds it on purpose. It gets in through contaminated aerosol propellants, or forms as some ingredients break down.

Where you'll find it: Aerosol sprays (dry shampoo, spray deodorant, spray sunscreen) and some benzoyl peroxide acne products.

Why it's on the list: It keeps turning up. In 2022, Unilever recalled dry shampoo aerosols sold in the US, including Dove, Suave and TRESemmé, after tracing elevated benzene to the propellant. But scale matters. When the US FDA tested 95 benzoyl peroxide acne products, six had elevated benzene and more than 90% had undetectable or extremely low levels. The FDA said that even with daily use for decades, the cancer risk from the benzene it found was very low. A real issue, not a reason to panic about every product.

The better option: Skip aerosols. Choose sticks, creams, powders and pumps. If you use benzoyl peroxide, store it somewhere cool and throw it out once it's expired.

Tier 3: Overhyped

A list that calls everything dangerous is useless. These four are on every scare list, and the evidence doesn't match the fear, even where that doesn't help us.

15. Aluminium in antiperspirant

The claim is that it causes breast cancer. Cancer Council Australia says there's no evidence for it: the link started as an email hoax, and the popular story that antiperspirant traps harmful substances in your lymph nodes gets the biology backwards, because breast cancer starts in the breast and spreads to the lymph nodes, not the other way round. It also points to a study of 1,600 women that found deodorant users were no more likely to develop cancer. The US National Cancer Institute reaches the same conclusion.

The honest reasons to skip aluminium are that it can irritate some people, or that you'd simply rather not block your sweat glands. That's a preference, not a health emergency.

16. Methylparaben and ethylparaben

The short-chain parabens have a better safety record than most of the preservatives that replaced them. In European patch testing, parabens caused reactions in under 1% of patients, and North American clinics have reported rates of 0.6% to 1.0% for decades. Compare that with MI in Tier 1. "Paraben-free" doesn't automatically mean safer. It just means a different preservative is doing the job, and sometimes a worse one.

17. "SLS causes cancer"

It doesn't, and we couldn't find any cancer agency or regulator that says otherwise. That rumour has been circulating for decades. The honest issue with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is that it's a strong detergent that can strip and irritate skin, especially if you have eczema, a sensitive scalp or mouth ulcers. Avoid it if it bothers you, not because of cancer. Don't confuse it with SLES, which is in Tier 2 for the separate 1,4-dioxane reason.

18. Petrolatum and mineral oil

What they are: Highly refined by-products of petroleum. They form a waxy film that holds water in the skin.

Label names: Petrolatum, Petroleum Jelly, Paraffinum Liquidum, Mineral Oil, Paraffin.

The claim: That petroleum jelly is toxic. Highly refined, cosmetic-grade petrolatum has a good safety record. The genuine concern is poorly refined grades, which can carry contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. That's why the EU only allows petrolatum in cosmetics when its full refining history is known and the starting material isn't a carcinogen.

It's also very good at its job. Petrolatum is the strongest occlusive there is: at just 5% in a product, it cuts water loss from skin by more than 98%. Nothing we use beats that.

Why we moved it from Tier 2: Our old version of this list put petrolatum in "worth limiting" and suggested plant butters and tallow bring nutrients your skin can use. That second claim isn't supported, and we've taken it out. For cosmetic-grade petrolatum, there's no real safety case against it. Choosing something else is a values call, not a safety one.

Where we stand: LIP SERVICE is built on tallow, beeswax and castor oil because we'd rather make a lip balm from a short list of animal fats, waxes and plant oils than from a fossil-fuel by-product. Petroleum jelly seals better, and it costs less. If maximum sealing is all you want, it's a perfectly good choice.

Claim vs what the evidence says

Does "natural" automatically mean safe?

No. We'd be hypocrites to write this list and pretend everything from a plant is harmless.

• Essential oils contain allergens. Lavender, citrus, tea tree and others naturally contain compounds like linalool and limonene, which become more irritating as they oxidise with age. A Melbourne clinic published a 2019 study of patients allergic to lavender. Our own LIP SERVICE contains cedarwood and orange oil at 1% combined, and orange oil contains limonene. We list both, so you can check. Use essential oils at low levels, and keep old bottles out of skincare.
• Plant oils can cause reactions too. Ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid in castor oil, is one of the most common current causes of allergic reactions to lip products. LIP SERVICE contains castor oil. These reactions are uncommon, but if your lips itch, sting or swell after any balm, ours included, stop using it.
• Bicarb soda can irritate. It's good at controlling odour, but at high levels it can leave some people with red, stinging armpits. Good natural deodorants balance it with gentler ingredients like magnesium hydroxide and arrowroot.
• Water-based products need a preservative. A "preservative-free" lotion full of water is a bacteria farm, and big brands get this wrong too. In March 2025, Henkel recalled 1,068 units of a shampoo after its testing found Klebsiella oxytoca, a bacterium that can cause eye, nose and skin infections. The safest "natural" approach isn't skipping the preservative. It's making products that don't contain water.

Who should pay the most attention to this list?

• People with eczema or sensitive skin. Fragrance, MI and harsh detergents like SLS are the most likely to cause trouble. If a rash keeps coming back, ask your GP about a referral to a dermatologist for patch testing. It's the only reliable way to find out exactly what you react to.
• Parents of babies. Check wipes for MI, skip loose talc powder, and remember that Cancer Council recommends keeping babies under 12 months out of direct sun as much as possible when the UV index is 3 or above, rather than relying on sunscreen.
• People who are pregnant. Phthalates and formaldehyde smoothing products are the reasonable ones to limit. Talk to your GP or midwife about anything specific.
• Hairdressers and beauty workers. You're exposed every working day, not now and then. Formaldehyde smoothing products and MI in wash products matter more for you than for your clients.
• Anyone who has a reaction. Stop using the product and see your GP or pharmacist if it doesn't settle. You can report an unsafe cosmetic to Product Safety Australia. Sunscreens are therapeutic goods, so problems with them go to the TGA.

How to read a cosmetic label in 60 seconds

1. Ingredients are listed from most to least. Under Australia's mandatory labelling standard, ingredients at 1% or more go in descending order, and anything under 1% can follow in any order. The first three to five ingredients make up most of the product.
2. Look for "Fragrance" or "Parfum". It's the biggest black box on any label.
3. Scan for the red flags: "-isothiazolinone", "fluoro", "cyclo...siloxane", "PEG", "-eth-", the formaldehyde releasers, and any paraben starting with iso-, phenyl-, benzyl- or pentyl-.
4. Check whether it contains water ("Aqua"). If it does, find out what's preserving it.
5. Count the ingredients. A short list isn't automatically better, but you can look up every item in a few minutes. With 40 ingredients, you can't.

Where BLEEK stands

We make things with as few ingredients as possible, so you can check every one of them yourself. No hidden fragrance: if something gives a product its smell, it's named on the label. Where we can, we skip the need for a preservative entirely by keeping water out of the product. And we'll tell you where our choices fall short, like the fact that petroleum jelly seals better than the LIP SERVICE tallow lip balm.

You don't need to throw everything out tomorrow. Start with the product you use most, every single day, and replace it when it runs out.

Frequently asked questions

What ingredients should you avoid in skincare?

The strongest cases are undisclosed fragrance, formaldehyde-based hair-smoothing products, the preservatives MI and MCI, PFAS, triclosan, and, for environmental reasons, cyclic silicones and plastic microbeads. Phthalates, formaldehyde releasers, loose talc, ethoxylated ingredients, long-chain parabens, oxybenzone, homosalate and benzene are worth limiting. Which ones matter most for you depends on your skin and what you use every day.

Are these ingredients toxic?

"Toxic" depends on the dose, how often you're exposed and how it gets into your body. Formaldehyde breathed in from a heated smoothing product is a very different exposure to a trace released in a shampoo you rinse off. That's why we rank by evidence instead of calling everything toxic.

Are products on Australian shelves unsafe if they contain these ingredients?

No. Products sold in Australia have to meet Australian rules, and many of the ingredients here are legal and used within limits. This list is about making better-informed choices, not about anything being illegal.

Is fragrance-free the same as unscented?

No. "Fragrance-free" should mean no fragrance ingredients at all. "Unscented" means it doesn't smell of much, which can include a masking scent added to cover the smell of the base. Check the ingredient list either way.

Do I need to throw out everything on this list?

No. Start with the product you use most and replace it when it runs out. If you have a rash, a baby or a job in a salon, start with the Tier 1 ingredients most relevant to you.

Sources

Australian sources

• AICIS, Cosmetics and soap – industrialchemicals.gov.au
• Product Safety Australia (ACCC), Cosmetics ingredients labelling mandatory standard – productsafety.gov.au
• TGA, Scheduling proposal and history for methylisothiazolinone – tga.gov.au
• TGA, Scheduling proposal for butyl benzyl phthalate (lists DBP and DEHP in Schedule 10) – tga.gov.au
• TGA, Safety review of seven active sunscreen ingredients (2025) – tga.gov.au
• TGA, Consultation: improvements to the regulation of sunscreens in Australia (March 2026) – consultations.tga.gov.au
• Queensland Government, Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (PFAS) – business.qld.gov.au
• Cancer Council Australia, Can deodorants and antiperspirants with aluminium cause cancer? – cancer.org.au
• Cancer Council Australia, Sun smart position statement – cancer.org.au
• Cancer Council Australia, Sunscreen fact sheet – cancer.org.au
• Flury, Palmer and Nixon (2018), The methylisothiazolinone contact allergy epidemic in Australia, Contact Dermatitis – onlinelibrary.wiley.com
• Bingham et al. (2019), Contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis caused by lavender: a retrospective study from an Australian clinic – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• DermNet, Contact reactions to lipsticks and other lip care products – dermnetnz.org
• ABC News (2016), Antibacterial soaps in spotlight as companies remove chemicals – abc.net.au
• The Conversation (2025), How safe are the chemicals in sunscreen? – theconversation.com
• The Daily Aus (2025), TGA recommends sunscreen brands change their recipes – thedailyaus.com.au

International sources

• CIRS Group (2026), EU fragrance allergens expanded to 81 substances – cirs-group.com
• Ceway (2026), EU fragrance allergen labelling before 31 July 2026 – news.ceway.eu
• US National Institutes of Health (2022), Hair straightening chemicals associated with higher uterine cancer risk – nih.gov
• CNN (2026), FDA misses another deadline on proposed ban on formaldehyde in hair-straightening products – cnn.com
• ChemLinked (2026), US FDA sets November 2026 timeline for formaldehyde ban proposal – chemlinked.com
• ChemLinked (2022), EU lowers the labelling threshold for formaldehyde releasers – chemlinked.com
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