Below is Elique's cosmetic ingredient glossary listing the most common chemicals used in commercial skin and body care. These have been labeled as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic and are listed on many "hit lists" of the EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, as well as those of independent researchers and scientists. This index is meant to help you make conscious decisions when purchasing personal care products because let's face it, as long as they are listed as the most widely used consumer products on the market it would be wise to have high standards, choosing products that are free of industrial chemicals. This quality of skin care is what will allow you to finally see youthful and radiant skin that is truly alive!

Acetone - a colorless and volatile liquid used in toners, nail polishes and removers. Used as an industrial solvent acetone can easily dissolve many plastics and is extremely toxic and potentially fatal if swallowed. Also an eye and lung irritant and may cause Central Nervous System disorders.

Aluminum Chlorohydrate - Used in deodorants as an antiperspirant it interferes with the body's natural detoxification process by allowing toxic waste to collect in the upper body region. There is a link between aluminum based ingredients and Alzheimer's disease

Ammonia - Ammonia is a very toxic, strong smelling and irritating chemical compound that is used in the manufacture of nitrate, which is a known carcinogen. You may never know it is in your products because to decipher the ingredient you will most likely see it listed as sodium alkyl sulfate or alkyl laurel sulfate. Inhaling ammonia can be fatal and when used topically it is a severe skin irritant. When used in shampoos it may contribute to dry hair, scalp lesions, hair loss and the absorption of nitrate into the blood.

Benzoyl Peroxide - The foundation of many acne products used at a concentration level that is known to be toxic. Benzoyl Peroxide is not only a plasticizer but it is also a respiratory toxicant.

Benzyl Alcohol - Benzyl alcohol is a classified toxicant, a suspected neurotoxin and a known liver and gastrointestinal toxicant. Still widely used as a solvent in cosmetics it sensitizes the skin, instigating an immune system response that can include but is not limited to itching, burning, dry skin patches, hives and blistering of skin.

BHT aka Butylated Hydroxytoluene - Used to prevent oxidation this component is a suspected respiratory toxicant, skin and sense organ toxicant, endocrine disruptor and probable carcinogen. Government assessments have linked BHT to eye and lung irritation, immunotoxicity, developmental and reproductive organ cancers as well as birth defects and developmental delays in children. Tests on rodents show hemorrhaging, broad spectrum toxicity, change in blood clotting factors, cell mutation, changes in brain and nervous system circulation, changes in lung and brain weight and gastrointestinal tumors. Associated to a host of health problems that manifest as allergic reactions or an impaired capacity to defend against disease and heal damaged tissues in the body.

Ceteareth-20, 30, 12, 33, 25, 5, 6, 60, 3, 8 and 23 - Can be plant derived though most cosmetic manufacturers use the cheaper synthetic version that may be contaminated with toxic impurities that are carcinogenic. They are highly penetrable and are linked to systemic toxicity and are also known to be probable neurotoxins.

Cocamide DEA (Diethanolamine) - Used as a cleanser, thickener and foam booster in products. Ingredients ending in "amine" contain amines, which potentially create nitrosamines, known carcinogens!

Diazolidinyl Urea - An anti-microbial, preservative and humectant used also in the textile industry as a pesticide that may release formaldehyde. Diazolidinyl Urea is derived from urine or synthetically produced from alcohol crystals that are known to be a human immune system toxicant. In high doses, studies show endocrine system disruption and brain and nervous system disruption. Causes contact skin dermatitis and sensitivity.

Fragrance - Fragrance added to an ingredient list does not necessarily mean perfume. Many times, because "fragrance" is a trade secret and manufacturers are not required to disclose their ingredients, this is a covert term used instead to hide the most noxious chemicals in a product. Beware!

FD&C Colors - Many Food, Drug and Cosmetic colors were at one time deemed safe and are now suspected carcinogens.

Methyl / Butyl / Ethyl / Isobutyl / Propyl Paraben - Parabens are a group of preservatives that mimic the activity of naturally occurring estrogen creating excess exposure to external estrogens. This interference to normal hormone function disrupts the endocrine system and has been associated to the increase of breast cancers worldwide. Also, residues from parabens are found in rivers and streams and studies suggest they are also disturbing our marine life as more male fish are mysteriously developing female reproductive organs.

Mineral Oil - A cheap petroleum derivative that interferes with the body's respiratory system and natural detoxification process by trapping moisture in the skin and clogging the pores. Can cause dermatitis and skin allergies and sensitivities.

PEG aka Polyethylene Glycol (usually followed by a number) - Linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity and is also a human skin toxicant. One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses. Use in skin care is a violation of industry recommendations. PEG is restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions. Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin.

Propylene Glycol - A cheap synthetic petroleum chemical used as a creamy base in cosmetic lotions, and functions as a penetration enhancer. The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) warns against contact with the skin however the FDA allows it to be used in thousands of skin care products without any warnings on the labels.

Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate - One of the most widely used ingredients in commercial skin and body and oral care, this ingredient acts as a detergent, emulsifier and surfactant. Sulfates are feared to be contaminated with nitrosamines and thus carcinogenic. Because it is easily penetrable its remnants have been found in the brain, liver and other tissues. Sodium Laurel Sulfate has a degenerative effect on cell membranes, proteins and genes and as it accumulates in eye tissue it has also been linked to cataracts.

Toluene - Used not only as a solvent in cosmetics and nail polish but also as a blending agent in pharmaceuticals and gasoline. It is toxic and narcotic in high concentrations.

Triethanolamine - Triethanolamine is widely used as an emulsifier, pH adjuster and preservative in skin and body care products and is made from combining ammonia with ethylene oxide. It is potentially contaminated with nitrosamines which are recognized probable carcinogens and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Triethanolamine lists it as an eye and skin irritant and states that chronic exposure may lead to liver and kidney damage. Also a respiratory toxicant and a suspected lung sensitizer it can instigate immune system responses that may include asthma attacks or other problems with the lungs and airways.