The Selenite Standard

1,4-Dioxane is a colorless, faintly sweet-smelling liquid that mixes easily with water and is often used as a solvent to manufacture other chemicals. 

Commonly Found In: Products that sud.

Potential Health Concerns: Carcinogens, Organ Toxicity, and Reproductive Harm.

Aluminum Compounds control odor by blocking sweat ducts and prohibiting the release of sweat to the surface of the skin. 

Commonly Found In: Antiperspirants

Potential Health Concerns: Neurotoxicity, Carcinogens, Organ Toxicity, and Endocrine Disruptors.

BHA is a waxy solid, and BHT is a crystalline solid. Both synthetic preservatives prolong the shelf life of various cosmetics and personal care products.

Commonly Found In: Skincare, Cosmetic, Body, and Hair Care Products.

Potential Health Concerns: Carcinogens, Organ Toxicity, and Endocrine Disruptors.

Butoxyethanol is a clear, colorless, and flammable liquid. It is used to control viscosity (thickness), acts as a solvent, and serves as a fragrance additive. 

Commonly Found In: Skincare, Cosmetic, Body, and Hair Care Products.

Potential Health Concerns: Carcinogens, Reproductive Harm, and Organ Toxicity.

Chemical Sunscreens, including oxybenzone, protect the body from UVA/UVB rays by absorbing into the skin, then absorbing the UV rays, converting those rays into heat, and releasing them from the body.

Commonly Found In: Cosmetics and Sunscreens.

Potential Health Concerns: DNA + Cell Damage and Endocrine Disruptors.

Coal tar is a thick, dark liquid that is a byproduct of burning coal that has been used as a colorant and to prevent dandruff. Unfortunately, coal tar contains several carcinogenic compounds and has been linked to an increased risk of cancer after exposure.

Commonly Found In: Cosmetics and Hair Products.

Potential Health Concerns: Carcinogens

Ethanolamines are used as surfactants (cleansing agents) and pH adjusters. These chemicals have also been linked to allergies, skin toxicity, and hormone disruption.

Commonly Found In: Body Washes, Soaps, Foundations, Eye Makeup, Hair Color, and Moisturizers.

Potential Health Concerns: Allergens, Organ Toxicity, Endocrine Disruptors, Carcinogens, and Reproductive Harm.

EDTA is a colorless, water-soluble solid used as a binding agent and penetration enhancer in cosmetics, cleansers, and moisturizers. 

Commonly Found In: Body Washes, Cleansers, Foundations, Eye Makeup, Hair Color, and Moisturizers.

Potential Health Concerns: Organ Toxicity

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling chemical most commonly known as a preservative and anti-bacterial agent used to prolong shelf life.

Commonly Found In: Body Washes, Cleansers, Eyelash Glues, Nail Polishes, and Shampoos.

Potential Health Concerns: Carcinogens, Neurotoxicity, Reproductive Harm, Allergens, and Organ Toxicity.

Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent found in products aiming to treat hyperpigmented skin conditions like melasma or age spots. While this chemical is banned from cosmetics in the European Union for its connections to cancer and organ toxicity, hydroquinone is still found in skin-lightening cleansers and moisturizers in the United States.

Commonly Found In: Skin Lightening Products (such as Moisturizers and Cleansers).

Potential Health Concerns: Carcinogens and Organ Toxicity.

Mercury can exist in two forms in cosmetics. The inorganic form is used in skin-lightening products. The organic form is used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent.

Commonly Found In: Eye Makeup

Potential Health Concerns: Neurotoxicity, Reproductive Harm, and Organ Toxicity.

Methyl Cellosolve is a clear liquid with an ether-like odor, used to control viscosity (thickness), act as a solvent and emulsion stabilizer, and can serve as a fragrance additive.

Commonly Found In: Anti-Aging Products

Potential Health Concerns: Organ Toxicity, DNA + Cell Damage, Neurotoxicity, and Reproductive Harm.

These chemicals are common skin irritants that are used as preservatives and fragrance enhancers.

Commonly Found In: Face Products, Cosmetic Products, Hair Products, and Body Products. 

Potential Health Concerns: Organ Toxicity, Neurotoxicity, and Allergens.

Mineral oil is a clear, odorless liquid derived from petroleum used for its moisturizing properties.

Commonly Found In: Face Products, Cosmetic Products, and Body Products. 

Potential Health Concerns: Carcinogens, Organ Toxicity, and Allergens.

Nanoparticles are used to protect against UV rays by enhancing the penetration and texture of a product, while also serving as a stabilizer and preservative.

Commonly Found In: Anti-Aging Products and Sunscreens. 

Potential Health Concerns: Organ Toxicity, DNA + Cell Damage, and Reproductive Harm.

Synthetic fragrance or flavor is any engineered scent or flavoring agent. Flavor and fragrance formulas are considered “trade secrets,” which means the actual ingredients don't have to be disclosed, including endocrine disruptors, allergens, and potential carcinogens.

*Note: We do allow some products with Synthetic Flavors or Fragrances as long as all ingredients are transparently disclosed and not harmful.

Commonly Found In: Face Products, Body Products, Cosmetic Products, and Hair Products. 

Potential Health Concerns: Organ Toxicity, Allergens, Reproductive Harm, and Endocrine Disruptors. 

Parabens are a family of preservatives found in personal care products to prolong shelf life and also act as fragrance additives.

Commonly Found In: Face Products, Body Products, Cosmetic Products, and Hair Products. 

Potential Health Concerns: DNA + Cell Damage, Endocrine Disruptors, and Reproductive Harm.

Phenoxyethanol is a fragrance additive and preservative that commonly causes skin irritation in high concentrations. 

Commonly Found In: Face Products and Cosmetic Products. 

Potential Health Concerns: Organ Toxicity and Neurotoxicity.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make products more pliable or to make fragrance stick to the skin. These chemicals are usually included under the vague ingredient "fragrance".

Commonly Found In: Synthetic Fragrance and Hairspray. 

Potential Health Concerns: Reproductive Harm and Endocrine Disruptors.

PEGs are conditioning and cleaning agents used widely in cosmetics as thickeners, softeners, and moisture carriers. Depending on the manufacturing process, PEG compounds can be contaminated with carcinogens 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide.

Commonly Found In: Foundations, Hair Products, and Moisturizers. 

Potential Health Concerns: Reproductive Harm and Endocrine Disruptors.

Polysorbates are a class of surfactants and emulsifiers that are often used in cosmetics to dissolve essential oils into water-based products. Depending on the manufacturing process, polysorbates can be contaminated with carcinogens 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide.

Commonly Found In: Face Products, Cosmetic Products, Hair Products, and Body Products. 

Potential Health Concerns: Carcinogens

Resorcinol is a white, water-soluble solid used to produce colorants and fragrance additives.

Commonly Found In: Acne Medications, Bleaching Products, Hair Dyes, and Shampoos.

Potential Health Concerns: Organ Toxicity and Endocrine Disruptors.

SLS and SLES are ingredients used as surfactants, fragrance additives, and even acne treatments, but both can trigger allergies and cause skin irritation. SLES is also often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane which is a carcinogen. 

Commonly Found In: Cleaning Products, Cosmetic Products, and Hair Products. 

Potential Health Concerns: Organ Toxicity, Carcinogens, and Allergens.

Toluene is a colorless liquid chemical that smells like paint thinner. This petrochemical solvent is used to create chemicals and dissolve substances.

Commonly Found In: Hair Dyes and Nail Polishes.

Potential Health Concerns: Neurotoxicity, Carcinogens, Reproductive Harm, and Organ Toxicity.

Triclosan and triclocarban are commonly used preservatives and antibacterial agents that are toxic to the environment. 

Commonly Found In: Antibacterial Soaps, Anti-Persperants, and Hand Samitizers.

Potential Health Concerns: Environmental Damage, Endocrine Disruptors, and Organ Toxicity.