Toxic Ten: Skincare Guide

From washing your face to applying serum for a youthful complexion, our daily skincare routine may involve using as many as 16 personal care products. This means that we’re exposed to 100s of chemicals every day, many of which are harmful to our health and the environment.

Here’s a list of the top 10 harmful chemicals to avoid when shopping for skincare products. Click the Toxic Ten chemicals below to find out where they hide.

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Toluene

Talc

Siloxanes

Phthalates

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Parabens

Oxybenzone

N-Ethylpentedrone (NEP) & N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)

Formaldehyde & formaldehyde releasing agents

BHA and BHT are used as preservatives in hair products, makeup, sunscreen, deodorant, fragrances, and creams. They are linked to endocrine (hormone) disruption and skin irritation.

Toxic Secrets

Fragrance, Aroma, Parfum

DID YOU KNOW?

Fragrance ingredients are not required to be disclosed on product labels because fragrance is a company’s “trade secret.”

Fragrances are not only found in perfumes and colognes, but also in most personal care products, cosmetics and cleaning products. Even unscented products may contain fragrance to mask odour.

Don’t be tricked by the words fragrance, aroma or parfum on a product’s ingredient label. These words usually represent dozens of hidden chemicals, which often include phthalates and synthetic musks that are harmful to our health.

Say NO to toxics

Take action

Canada’s law that regulates toxics, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), is over 20 years old. We need a stronger law that:

ensures protections from harmful chemicals in cosmetics,
protects vulnerable communities like nail salon workers and racialized women who are often marketed highly toxic products like hair relaxers and skin whitening creams,
and ensures hazardous chemicals in fragrances are disclosed for products.

But the clock is ticking – take action today!

Preventing Bug Bites Naturally: Non-Toxic Ways To Keep Insects at Bay

As you venture into the great outdoors this summer, it’s important to prioritize your well-being without relying too heavily on hazardous chemicals for protection. However, if there’s anything that can take away from the joy of a glorious summer, it’s those buzzing, biting, and sometimes disease-spreading insects! Before you reach for bug spray, let’s explore…

Soak up the Sun: Non-Toxic Sunscreen Tips for a Healthy Summer

As we soak up the warmth and sunshine of summer, it’s essential to prioritize our well-being and protect ourselves from harmful chemicals found in everyday products. From sunscreen to bug spray, these summer essentials can sometimes contain chemicals that pose potential health risks. Fortunately, there are safer alternatives available that allow you and your family…

You can’t run away from BPA — especially when it’s in your sports tee

Recently, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) made headlines when it found bisphenol A (BPA) in athletic clothing from a number of well-known brands. But how is BPA, best known as the toxic plastic additive found in pre-circa-2010 baby bottles, ending up in clothing? And should we be alarmed? Toxic BPA could be in your…

Canada Is Finally Strengthening Its Toxics Law: Four Key Updates You Should Know

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The toxic reality of PFAS “forever chemicals” contamination in Canada

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Where do Canada and its wealthy and privileged G7 allies stand on key climate and environmental issues?

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Beyond Black History Month: taking action on environmental racism and justice

This is a guest blog by Dr. Ingrid Waldron There’s a toxic mix of factors that impact the health of racialized communities, and only some of these factors are the chemical properties of the hazards we are exposed to through our products, communities and occupations. These start with the cumulative health impacts of daily toxic…

On World Cancer Day, we need our government to protect us from carcinogens and exposure-related cancers

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Consumer product recalls highlight urgent need for mandatory labelling

You may have seen toxic products in the news a lot lately – from cancer-causing benzene in dry shampoo to carcinogenic formaldehyde in hair straighteners and PFAS’ forever chemicals’ in school uniforms. Since the dry shampoo recall, dozens of injuries have been reported. These upsetting incidents highlight the disproportionate impact of toxic exposures on vulnerable…

Tips and Tricks for a Non-Toxic and Low-Waste Halloween

What’s not to love about Halloween? Whether it’s dressing up in our costumes, carving pumpkins or eating candy, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! But there’s also the not-so-good stuff: the plastics waste and toxic chemicals that may be hiding in popular Halloween products. Here’s a scary thought: our latest toxics report, Passing The Buck,…

Toxic chemicals were found in dollar store products – it’s time for government and retailers to stop passing the buck

Our new report, Passing the Buck: the toxic cost of dollar store products in Canada, found heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and other toxic chemicals such as PFAS, “forever chemicals” in dollar store products. Many of these products are marketed toward children. Our report highlights just how little we know about the products on…

Toxics law reform: building momentum and overcoming industry attacks

Finally, after over two decades of waiting, the Canadian government listened to the thousands of people across Canada who called for stronger laws to protect us against toxic chemicals. At the end of June, the Senate approved Bill S-5, the long-awaited legislation to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). It will proceed to the…

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