The Gimme the Good Stuff 'Never List'

Probable carcinogenic contaminant. The concern is contamination level, not necessarily the base ingredient itself. Brands should verify purification and residual testing.

Potential respiratory irritation. Concern is primarily related to inhalation exposure and especially vulnerable populations, especially infants.

Potential carcinogen; heavy metal contaminant; respiratory toxicant. Antimony may remain as a manufacturing residue in certain materials. Concern depends on concentration, migration potential, and duration of exposure.

These additives offer little functional benefit and may contribute to behavioral concerns in sensitive children.

Environmental pollution concerns. Bamboo itself is renewable, but converting it into viscose rayon requires chemical-intensive processing. “Plant-based” does not automatically equal environmentally benign.

Concerns include respiratory irritation, sensitization, and repeated inhalation
exposure, especially in children and sensitive individuals; concerning also for aquatic/ecosystem toxicity.

Bisphenols are endocrine-active chemicals that can migrate into food and beverages.

Safety concerns depend on the form, processing conditions, and level of exposure. While food-grade carrageenan differs from degraded carrageenan (poligeenan), some researchers have raised concerns about gastrointestinal inflammation, particularly in infants and other vulnerable populations.

Coal tar contains compounds associated with carcinogenicity and offers limited
justification in modern consumer products.

Skin sensitizers; respiratory irritants. Essential oils are highly concentrated bioactive compounds. Exposure that may be low-risk for healthy adults can be inappropriate for infants or sensitive individuals.

These preservatives slowly release formaldehyde over time and may contribute to sensitization and long-term toxicity concerns.

Neurotoxicity; developmental toxicity; bioaccumulation. Heavy metals accumulate in the body and are especially concerning for infants and children.

Ecosystem contamination; bioaccumulation concerns. Persistent environmental pollutants with growing concern around ingestion and ecosystem contamination.

Respiratory inflammation; uncertain bioaccumulation concerns. Safety depends heavily on particle size, exposure route, and the potential for inhalation or systemic absorption.

These compounds remain on fabric surfaces and may contribute to skin irritation and environmental persistence.

Concerns include systemic absorption and endocrine activity, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Carcinogenic contamination concern; petrochemical processing concern. Petroleum-derived, PEGs themselves are not necessarily highly toxic, but poorly purified PEGs may contain residual contaminants such as ethylene oxide or 1,4-dioxane.

PFAS chemicals are highly persistent, bioaccumulative, and associated with
immune, hormonal, developmental, and environmental concerns. They do not break down meaningfully in the environment.

Phthalate exposure concern; environmentally persistent chlorine-based plastics. Often associated with phthalates and chlorine-intensive manufacturing.

Parabens are preservatives associated with endocrine disruption. Concern depends on exposure level, frequency of use, and whether the product is leave-on or rinse-off however, we recommend avoiding parabens in all products.

Certain phthalates are linked to endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity,
particularly during early development.

Transparency/disclosure concern. Lack of transparency prevents meaningful safety evaluation.

Skin and eye irritants; contamination concern (1,4-dioxane). These surfactants can be irritating at higher concentrations or with prolonged exposure, but risk is substantially lower in diluted rinse-off products.

The primary concerns are asbestos contamination and inhalation exposure,
particularly in infants and children.

Possible carcinogenicity when aerosolized. Risk depends heavily on particle size and inhalation exposure.

These solvents are associated with neurotoxicity and inhalation concerns, particularly with repeated exposure.

Sensitization and irritation; transparency concern. Essential oils are often marketed as inherently safe because they are plant-derived, but many are potent sensitizers or respiratory irritants.

Allergen/sensitization concern; hidden phthalate exposure. “Fragrance” can legally conceal dozens or hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including allergens and phthalates.