Chemicals of Concern

Learn about a few of the top ingredients and contaminants to avoid, based on the science linking each to adverse health impacts, and the types of products they’re found in.

For each of the chemicals included in this section, a growing body of hazard-based evidence suggests connections to long-term health concerns like cancer and reproductive problems. To learn more about how chemicals impact your health and where they come from, check out the Health & Science section.

Use our Red List quick guides to avoid chemicals of concern in each product category: shampoo, conditioner, creams, sunscreen, color cosmetics, hair color and skin lighteners.

Apply one or more filter to narrow your search by health effect, product type, or affected population.