Ingredient guide
The ingredients you meet most often on labels: what they do, how much concern they deserve and where the evidence comes from.
low risk moderate caution
- 2-Butoxyethanol (Butyl Glycol) Household cleaning 5.0–6.5
- Acesulfame Potassium (E950) Food 3.0–4.5
- Acetic Acid (Vinegar, E260) Household cleaning 1.0–2.5 · Food 1.0–2.0
- Aluminium Chlorohydrate Cosmetics 3.0–4.5
- Ammonia (Ammonium Hydroxide) Household cleaning 5.5–7.0
- Ascorbic Acid (E300, Vitamin C) Food 1.0–2.5
- Aspartame (E951) Food 4.0–5.0
- Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) Cosmetics 3.0–4.0
- Benzalkonium Chloride Household cleaning 5.0–6.5
- Benzisothiazolinone (BIT) Household cleaning 4.5–5.5
- Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) Cosmetics 5.5–7.0
- Benzyl Alcohol Cosmetics 2.5–4.0
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA, E320) Cosmetics 6.0–7.0 · Food 6.0–7.0
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT, E321) Cosmetics 3.5–4.5 · Food 3.5–5.0
- Caramel Colour (E150a–E150d) Food 4.5–6.0
- Carrageenan (E407) Food 4.0–5.0
- Ceramides (Ceramide NP) Cosmetics 1.0–2.0
- Citric Acid (E330) Food 1.0–2.5 · Household cleaning 1.0–2.5
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) Cosmetics 2.5–4.0 · Household cleaning 2.0–3.5
- Coco-Glucoside Cosmetics 1.5–2.5 · Household cleaning 1.5–3.0
- Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) Cosmetics 4.5–6.0
- Denatured Alcohol (Alcohol Denat.) Cosmetics 3.0–4.5
- Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) Cosmetics 5.0–6.5 · Household cleaning 6.0–7.5
- Dimethicone Cosmetics 1.5–3.0
- Disodium EDTA Cosmetics 2.5–3.5
- DMDM Hydantoin Cosmetics 7.0–8.5
- Enzymes (Protease, Amylase, Lipase) Household cleaning 3.0–4.5
- Esterquats (Fabric Softener Active Ingredient) Household cleaning 2.5–4.0
- Fragrance (Parfum) Cosmetics 3.0–5.0 · Household cleaning 3.0–5.0
- Fruit Juice Concentrate Food 2.0–4.5
- Glucose-Fructose Syrup (Starch-Based Sugar) Food 4.5–5.5
- Glycerin (E422) Cosmetics 1.0–2.0 · Food 1.0–2.0
- Homosalate Cosmetics 5.0–6.0
- Hydrochloric Acid (Spirits of Salt, Muriatic Acid) Household cleaning 7.0–8.0
- Hydroquinone Cosmetics 8.0–9.0
- Lecithin (E322) Food 1.0–2.5
- Limonene Cosmetics 4.5–6.0 · Household cleaning 4.5–6.0
- Linalool Cosmetics 4.5–6.0 · Household cleaning 4.5–6.0
- Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS) Household cleaning 3.5–5.0
- Liquid Paraffin (Paraffinum Liquidum / Mineral Oil) Cosmetics 2.0–3.0
- Maltodextrin Food 2.5–4.0
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI/CMIT) Cosmetics 5.5–8.5 · Household cleaning 5.0–6.5
- Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) Cosmetics 5.5–8.5 · Household cleaning 5.0–6.5
- Methylparaben and Ethylparaben (E218) Cosmetics 2.5–4.0
- Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (E471) Food 3.0–4.5
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG, E621) Food 2.5–4.0
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Cosmetics 1.0–2.0
- Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE) Household cleaning 8.0–9.0
- Octocrylene Cosmetics 4.0–5.0
- Optical Brighteners (Fluorescent Whitening Agents) Household cleaning 3.5–4.5
- Palm Oil Food 4.0–5.5
- Panthenol (Provitamin B5) Cosmetics 1.0–2.0
- Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil Food 8.0–9.5
- PEG Compounds (Polyethylene Glycol) Cosmetics 3.0–4.0
- Phenoxyethanol Cosmetics 2.5–4.0
- Phosphates (E338–E452) Food 3.5–5.0 · Household cleaning 4.5–6.0
- Polysorbate 80 (E433) Food 3.0–4.5 · Cosmetics 2.5–3.5
- Potassium Sorbate (E202) Cosmetics 2.0–3.5 · Food 3.0–4.5
- Propylene Glycol (E1520) Cosmetics 2.0–3.5 · Food 2.0–3.0 · Pet 3.5–8.5
- Propylparaben and Butylparaben Cosmetics 4.0–5.5
- Retinol (Vitamin A) Cosmetics 3.5–5.0
- Salicylic Acid (BHA) Cosmetics 3.0–4.5
- Sodium Benzoate (E211) Cosmetics 2.0–3.5 · Food 4.5–6.0
- Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda, E500) Household cleaning 1.0–2.5 · Food 1.0–2.0
- Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid) Cosmetics 1.0–2.0
- Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) Household cleaning 2.5–8.0
- Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) Household cleaning 5.5–7.0
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Cosmetics 3.0–4.5 · Household cleaning 3.0–4.5
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Cosmetics 4.0–5.5 · Household cleaning 3.0–4.5
- Sodium Nitrite (E250) Food 7.0–9.0
- Sodium Percarbonate (Oxygen Bleach) Household cleaning 3.0–4.5
- Sucralose (E955) Food 3.0–4.5
- Sugar (Sucrose) Food 3.5–5.0
- Sulphur Dioxide and Sulphites (E220–E228) Food 5.0–6.5
- Talc (Talcum) Cosmetics 3.0–5.0
- Tartrazine (E102) Food 6.0–7.5
- Titanium Dioxide (E171, CI 77891) Cosmetics 1.5–6.0 · Food 7.0–8.0
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E, E306) Cosmetics 1.0–2.0 · Food 1.0–2.5
- Triclosan Cosmetics 7.0–8.0 · Household cleaning 7.0–8.0
- Xanthan Gum (E415) Food 1.0–2.5
- Zinc Oxide Cosmetics 1.5–3.0
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