When we think of self-care, we often imagine soothing lotions, luxurious shampoos, or refreshing body wash. But many of these everyday personal care products — shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, soaps, scrubs, perfumes, styling sprays — quietly contain ingredients that can harm our health. In this second installment of our three-part series, we’ll unpack what to watch out for, why it matters, and how to choose safer alternatives.

Why Personal Care Products Matter

• Absorption through skin: Unlike cleaning products we rinse off, many personal care products sit on our skin for long periods. Ingredients can penetrate and absorb. According to EWG, skin is our largest organ, and substances applied to it can make their way into the bloodstream. 
• Cumulative exposure: We often layer many products — shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, perfume — which means exposure adds up. EWG’s Toxic Twenty report estimates that, on average, American women use about 12 personal care products containing 168 different chemicals daily. 
• Lack of regulation: The U.S. regulatory framework for cosmetics is weak. Many ingredients are not pre-tested for long-term health impacts. 

Key Toxic Ingredients to Watch For

Here are some of the worst offenders commonly found in personal care products — and why they’re problematic.

1. Phthalates
   • What are they? A group of chemicals used to make fragrances last longer, soften plastics, and in some fixatives. (Marion Institute)
   • Health risks: Endocrine disruption. Studies (including epidemiological and lab research) suggest phthalates can interfere with hormone systems. (PubMed)
   • Where they hide: Often under the vague ingredient “fragrance” in deodorants, perfumes, styling products. (EWG)
   • Notorious examples: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) are particularly concerning. (EWG)
2. Parabens
   • What are they? Preservatives (like methylparaben, propylparaben) commonly used to prevent microbial growth. (PubMed)
   • Health risks: Weak estrogen mimics; potential endocrine disruption. Some studies show links to reproductive toxicity (though evidence is mixed). (PubMed)
   • Where they hide: Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorants.
   • Notorious examples: Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben. (EWG)
3. Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
   • What are they? Formaldehyde itself is a known carcinogen; some preservatives slowly release formaldehyde over time (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15). (EWG)
   • Health risks: Cancer risk, respiratory issues, allergic skin reactions. A recent study found that many lotions and soaps used by Black and Latina women contained formaldehyde releasers. (Health)
   • Where they hide: Lotions, shampoos, soaps, hair-straightening treatments, some styling products.
   • Notorious names: DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, diazolidinyl urea. (EWG)
4. Triclosan / Triclocarban
   • What are they? Antibacterial agents once common in soaps, deodorants, and toothpaste.
   • Health risks: Endocrine disruption (thyroid), possible effects on reproductive hormones, development of bacterial resistance. (EWG)
   • Where they hide: Antimicrobial soaps, some deodorants.
5. Synthetic Fragrance (“Fragrance”)
   • What is it? A catch-all term that can hide dozens (even hundreds) of individual chemicals, many of which are not disclosed.
   • Health risks: Allergies, respiratory irritation, hormone disruption (due to phthalates), and more. EWG’s hazard scoring highlights undisclosed fragrance as a major concern. (EWG)
   • Where it hides: Just about everywhere — perfume, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, styling products.
6. Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs), Polysorbates
   • What are they? Used as surfactants, emulsifiers, thickeners. (Sisel – Sisel Products Shop Online)
   • Health risks: They can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen. (Sisel – Sisel Products Shop Online)
   • Where they hide: Lotions, creams, hair products.
7. Isothiazolinones (e.g., Methylisothiazolinone)
   • What are they? Preservatives to prevent microbial growth, especially in water-based formulas.
   • Health risks: Strong skin sensitizers, allergenic; used in some dangerous product categories like hair dyes. (EWG)
   • Where they hide: Shampoos, conditioners, creams, hair dyes.
8. Other Concerns:
   • Polycyclic musks: used in synthetic fragrances; can accumulate in the body. (PubMed)
   • UV filters: Some chemical sunscreen filters (e.g., certain benzophenones) may have endocrine activity. (PubMed)

Notorious Brand-Name Examples & Disparities

• According to EWG’s recent report, over 4,000 personal care products marketed to Black women were analyzed — only 21% rated as low hazard. (EWG)
• Ingredients of concern frequently found in these products: undisclosed fragrance, parabens, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, quaternary ammonium compounds, etc. (EWG)
• In hair-coloring products, EWG’s analysis found that common hazardous chemicals include p-phenylenediamine, resorcinol (linked to allergic reactions and cancer), and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. (EWG)

Evidence & Studies: What Science Says

1. Endocrine Disruption
   • A critical review (published on PubMed) looked at phthalates, parabens, UV filters, antimicrobials, and other common personal care ingredients. It found that many of these compounds show endocrine-disruptingpotential in lab and animal studies; though human data are less consistent, the evidence is strong enough to warrant concern. (PubMed)
2. Regulatory & Exposure Gaps
   • EWG’s Toxic Twenty report (PDF) highlights systemic issues: minimal regulation, weak pre-market safety checks, and widespread presence of potentially hazardous chemicals in daily-use products. 
3. Formaldehyde Exposure in Real Life
   • A study (reported by Health.com) showed that over half of a group of Black and Latina women in South Los Angeles were using lotions or soaps with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. (Health)
4. Disparities in Hazardous Ingredient Use
   • EWG’s more recent analysis shows that products marketed specifically to Black women have a higher prevalence of undisclosed fragrance and other problematic chemicals. (EWG)

How to Use the EWG Database (and Why It Matters)

• The EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database is a powerful tool to check the hazard levels of personal care products. (EWG)
• Tips from EWG for safer choices:
  • Avoid triclosan, parabens in acne and hygiene products. (EWG)
  • Be cautious of “fragrance” or “parfum” — these often conceal phthalates. (EWG)
  • Look for EWG VERIFIED® products when possible, as they meet stricter transparency and safety standards. (EWG)

Safer Alternatives: Non-Toxic Products to Consider

Here are some clean or “less toxic” personal care products you can feature or recommend. (These are just examples — always check the ingredient list and EWG rating for any product.)

Honest 2?in?1 Shampoo + Body Wash

Gentle Cleanser

$11.99

Carina Organics Extra Gentle Shampoo

Organic / Plant-based Shampoo

$12.99

Primally Pure Unscented Deodorant

Aluminum-Free Deodorant

$14.00

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap

Liquid Castile Soap

$20.99

ATTITUDE Lemon Leaves Shower Gel

Hypoallergenic Wash

$12.95

SEEN Fragrance-Free Shampoo

Fragrance?Free Shampoo

$29.00

Rowe Casa Shampoo Bar

Zero-waste Bar

$24.00

Booda Organics Coconut Cream Deodorant

Budget Deodorant

$7.95

Here are some highlights and why these are safer picks:

• Honest?2?in?1 Shampoo?&?Body Wash: No parabens, phthalates, or sulfates. Cleanses both hair and body, reducing the number of products you need.
• Carina Organics Extra Gentle Shampoo: Uses gentle, naturally derived cleansers (plant-based), avoids synthetic preservatives and harsh detergents.
• Primally Pure Unscented Deodorant: Aluminum-free, made with baking soda, coconut oil, and tallow — very few synthetic additives.
• Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap: Certified organic oils, biodegradable, minimal ingredients — can be used on hands, body, face.
• ATTITUDE Lemon Leaves Shower Gel: EWG Verified, uses plant-based ingredients, and avoids harmful preservatives and synthetic fragrance mixtures.
• SEEN Fragrance?Free Shampoo: No fragrance at all, which helps avoid hidden phthalates; vegan, gentle formula.
• Rowe Casa Shampoo Bar: Zero-waste bar, avoids sulfates, parabens, silicones, and artificial fragrance.
• Booda Organics Coconut Cream Deodorant: Affordable, coconut-oil-based, simple ingredients, aluminum- and synthetic fragrance–free.

Tips for Reducing Toxic Load in Personal Care

1. Simplify your routine. Use fewer products to reduce exposure.
2. Choose fragrance-free or naturally scented products. The less “fragrance/parfum,” the fewer hidden chemicals.
3. Patch test new items. Even natural ingredients can irritate, so try in a small area first.
4. Use your EWG Skin Deep tool. Before you buy, search the product and check its hazard score.
5. Switch gradually. You don’t have to replace everything overnight — start with the ones you use most.

Why This Matters for Equity & Health

• Studies and EWG reports show that certain communities (particularly Black women) are disproportionately exposed to these hazardous ingredients. (EWG)
• These exposures potentially contribute to health disparities, including higher rates of hormone-sensitive cancers. (EWG)
• Being informed is a form of empowerment. By choosing safer products and advocating for better regulation, we can protect our health and help shift the market.

Conclusion & Looking Ahead

Personal care should be about nurturing ourselves, not slowly exposing our bodies to toxins. The chemicals listed above — phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde releasers, hidden fragrance — are not just “bad for the environment”; many have real, measurable potential harms. But there’s good news: safer options do exist, and with tools like the EWG database and conscious switching, we can reduce our toxic load significantly.

Next week, in Part 3, we’ll dive into toxic materials in cosmetics — think concealers, lip gloss and blush — and how to “detox” your living space for good.