The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit organization that provides information to consumers about the potential health risks associated with various personal care products, among other things. The organization maintains a database called the Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database, which ranks personal care products on a scale of 1 to 10 based on the potential health hazards associated with the ingredients they contain.

Here are 25 toxic personal care products that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has identified as potentially harmful:

  1. Hair Relaxers and Straighteners
  2. Nail Polish and Nail Polish Removers
  3. Skin Lightening Creams
  4. Coal Tar-Based Shampoos and Soaps
  5. Sunscreens Containing Oxybenzone
  6. Antibacterial Soaps and Hand Sanitizers
  7. Fragrances
  8. Talcum Powder
  9. Hydroquinone
  10. Lead in Lipstick
  11. Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products
  12. Parabens in Cosmetics
  13. Phthalates in Fragrances and Other Personal Care Products
  14. Triclosan in Toothpaste and Deodorant
  15. Retinyl Palmitate in Sunscreens
  16. Dioxane in Shampoos and Other Personal Care Products
  17. Mercury in Mascara and Other Eye Makeup
  18. Propylene Glycol in Moisturizers and Other Personal Care Products
  19. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) in Shampoos and Other Personal Care Products
  20. Synthetic Fragrances in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
  21. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) in Personal Care Products
  22. Aluminum in Deodorants and Antiperspirants
  23. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
  24. Butoxyethanol in Personal Care Products
  25. Carbon Black in Eyeliners and Other Eye Makeup

It’s important to note that not all products containing these ingredients are necessarily dangerous, and not all products that are considered “safe” by the EWG are completely without risk. However, by being aware of potentially harmful ingredients and choosing personal care products wisely, consumers can make informed decisions to help minimize their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

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