5 Hidden Chemicals You Won’t See on Product Labels
When we walk through our favorite stores and check the labels on products, we usually think that all the ingredients are listed for us to see. But many everyday items, like makeup and cleaning products, have chemicals that aren’t mentioned on the labels.
These sneaky substances can be harmful to our health and the environment, so it’s important to learn about them. In this blog post, we’re going to uncover five hidden chemicals that you won’t find on product labels. This way we can be more aware and make smarter choices for our well-being.
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1. Formaldehyde is the sneakiest preservative
Formaldehyde is a type of chemical that is commonly used as a preservative in many products that we use without first checking the ingredients, like furniture and nail polish. The problem with this is its risk of causing irritation and breathing problems. It has also been linked by many organizations to more serious health issues, such as asthma and even cancer.
Interestingly, in the USA, there aren’t any rules about how much formaldehyde can be in body care products. That means companies can put as much formaldehyde (or chemicals that secretly release formaldehyde) as they want in these products. Given that even small quantities of formaldehyde can be harmful, I find this very concerning. To learn more, read the section on symptoms of exposure to formaldehyde in my blog.
Unfortunately, formaldehyde can be found in many beauty and personal care products. It’s commonly used- even in some baby products like wipes (Learn more about hidden ingredients in baby wipes). It’s important to be aware of these hidden ingredients so we can make informed choices about the products we use.
You can find more details on how formaldehyde may be a hidden ingredient in my blog posts called Hidden Ingredients In Cosmetics and Formaldehyde In Products.
2. Cancer-causing Ethylene Oxide is a “leftover” no one wants
There’s a lesser-known chemical called ethylene oxide that is often used in manufacturing, but you won’t ever see it listed as an ingredient. Manufacturers add it to cheap raw materials to make them less irritating in a process known as “ethoxylation.”
This might seem like a good idea, if it wasn’t a known cancer-causing substance by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). If someone is around this chemical for a longer time, it may contribute to different types of cancer. On top of that, ethylene oxide can also lead to skin irritation, allergies, and breathing problems in people who are sensitive to it.
What people don’t realize is that extra ethylene oxide may be leftover in their products, and, like formaldehyde, there appear to be no rules in the USA making manufacturers test for it in their final product before selling.
3. Are you washing your clothes in 1,4-Dioxane?
Going off of what we mentioned above, 1,4 dioxane can be another contaminant from the process of ethoxylation. 1,4-Dioxane can be found in some household products, such as detergents, shampoos, and soaps, even though it probably causes cancer.
Spending shorter times around high levels of 1,4-dioxane can cause eye and lung irritation. Longer exposures to high levels of 1,4-dioxane have been linked to cancer, particularly liver and kidney cancer. To be more prepared, I teach people how to spot ethoxylated and other potentially harmful ingredients in products.
Due to health and water contamination concerns, some rule-making agencies are beginning to place restrictions on products likely to have 1,4- dioxane contamination, however, these rules are new and not nationwide yet.
As we gain awareness about this hidden chemical, we bring attention to lawmakers to require safer products for everyone.
4. We don’t want Benzene in our sunscreen
Although Benzene is used to make many different chemicals, lately benzene has been found as a contaminant in sunscreens. This is a big problem because there are reports that say benzene can cause cancer.
When the FDA tested batches of sunscreens and after-care products, they found that many had high levels of benzene in them. The manufacturers who made the products claim that this was an accident. However, whether it was an accident or not, companies need to be more responsible.
Scientists say that some of the ingredients in these sunscreens can soak into our bloodstream, so it is important we avoid brands that do not double-check that their products are safe.
You can check out the lists of products that had some benzene and the ones that didn’t from the link in my blog post Hidden Ingredients In Cosmetics. Because of this, people are asking the FDA to recall the batches that had high levels of benzene.
This is really important because we use sunscreen a lot and have to put it on again and again. So, save yourself the headache and buy sunscreen from trustworthy companies. These companies test their products to make sure they don’t have harmful chemicals like benzene.
I encourage you to ask the companies you use if they test their products and learn what they have to say!
5. Partners in Crime: phthalates and fragrance
Perhaps the most common hidden chemicals in our products are phthalates because they are often used when making plastic (like PVC), or product fragrances.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has stated that some types of phthalates have affected the reproductive system in animals, and they would like more studies done on the impact it may have on human health.
Did you know that many companies don’t tell us what’s in the fragrances they use? It’s true, even though lots of people have allergies to fragrances. According to an organization called the Environmental Working Group (EWG), fragrance mixes sometimes mess with our hormones. These fragrance mixes have been linked to allergies, skin problems, and breathing difficulties. The EWG gave “fragrance” a rating of 8, which means it’s not to be considered very safe.
You might have heard some companies say they use “natural” fragrances, which sounds good, but this issue can actually be tricky. The thing is, there’s no official rule for what “natural” really means, and just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s always safe.
Also, if a company doesn’t tell us everything that’s in their natural fragrance, it’s better to use an item without any fragrance at all. One way to help with this is to understand the difference between unscented and fragrance-free.
As you learn more about where phthalates are found, you can be prepared to ask the right questions and support brands that ensure their products are free from phthalates.
Conclusion About Hidden Ingredients With Possible Chemical Contaminants
To put it simply, there aren’t any rules that say cosmetic and personal care products have to be tested before they’re sold. That means we don’t know if they have any chemical impurities. Some of these hidden ingredients include formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, 1,4-dioxane, benzene, and phthalates (but there are more).
One easy way to avoid toxic contaminants is to check labels for ingredients mentioned above that are likely to have contaminants, and also to buy from trusted and tested brands.
You are now set with the knowledge to spot many potential contaminants and can begin asking questions to protect your health. I offer an immense amount of information on my website and an email subscription that can also help you become a, educated, savvy shopper, equipped to avoid some of the worst chemicals!
