Below is a list of common ingredients found in many lotions, creams, facial cleansers, toothpastes, shampoos, conditioners, hair gels + sprays, soaps, deodorants, nail polishes, cosmetics + perfumes along with some of their known toxicities.

Denatured alcohol
petrochemical by product. also usually contains benzyl alcohol making it undrinkable. can cause systemic eczematous contact dermatitis and chemical sensitivities. used in all commercial perfumes, used as solvent
aluminum ingredients
skin irritants, can cause Alzheimer's, lung disease
ammonium ingredients
toxic, carcinogenic
aroma
usually a mix of synthetic and natural fragrances-see fragrance below
benzoates
implicated in a wide variety of health problems including testicular cancer, cell mutation, and other cancers
benzyl alcohol
Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Severe irritant for eyes, skin and respiratory system. Petrochemical
BHA and BHT
cancer, encourage the breakdown of vitamins such as vitamin d, can cause lipid and cholesterol levels to increase, endocrine disrupter
coal tar
(petrochemical. look for cade tar or pine tar instead) low-level exposure is linked to cancer
colorants (d & c and other coal tar dyes)
carcinogens, topical irritants, may cause acne and skin irritations, may contain aluminums, some have caused tumors in rats, low-level exposure is linked to cancer
d dimethicone
cancer suspect. caused tumors and mutation in lab animals
dea ingredients
(all ingredients with DEA after the first word such as cocamide - dea) cause cancer
DMAE-Dimethylaminoethanol
science has not yet reached a conclusive, supportable, position on the exact function(s) of DMAE. it is marketed as "face lift in a bottle," however, what it does is temporarily paralyze the small muscles of the face, making it seem like wrinkles are less visible. no long term results of application are yet known.
formaldehyde
is often hidden in other ingredients, banned in Sweden and Japan mainly because of its inability to inhibit the growth of acid producing bacteria and it's implication in cancer
fragrance
highly allergenic. no one has to list the chemicals used in fragrances. contains large quantities of toxins and chemicals not disclosed. fragrance-free means that fragrance chemicals have been added to the product to mask the natural aromas of the ingredients
glycerin
look for vegetable glycerin. glycerin without the vegetable qualifier usually means petrochemical
hydroquinone
toxic, irritant, banned in Europe, can cause hyper- pigmentation
Idebenone
a synthetic analogue of coenzyme Q10
imidazalidol urea
strong irritant, may contain formaldehyde
laureth family
(sodium lauryl sulfate, any ingredient with laureth or lauryl in the name) carcinogenic, skin irritants may be contaminated with large amounts of toxins in manufacturing process contains ammonium salts, mutagen, acne producing
methylisothiazolinone
antimicrobial agent found in some shampoos and hand creams and widely used in industrial settings inhibits the development of particular neuron structures that are essential for transmitting signals between cells. prolonged exposure to low levels of methylisothiazolinone (MIT) may have potentially damaging consequences to a developing nervous system.
octyl stearate
acne producing, contact dermatitis, allergic reactions
paba
may cause formation of nitrosamines, cause photosensitivity, being studied for carcinogenic implications
parabens-petro-chemicals
(methyl, propyl, etc. - paraben family) implicated in a multitude of health problems, estrogenic, cancer causing, allergenic, found in breast tissue, replicates in dna, stored in fat cells
peg ingredients
carcinogens, acne promoters, contact dermatitis
petroleum
(petrolatum, mineral oils, vaseline) acne producing, may be carcinogenic, causes dry skin, respiratory toxin, may cause dizziness
phenoxyethanol
synthetic ether alcohol preservative. can cause contact dermatitis. synthetic preservatives are considered by leading dermatological associations to be the number one cause of contact dermatitis.
phthalates
(look out for your plastics - squeeze bottles, shower curtains, soft plastics) carcinogens, mutation agents, stored in fat cells-they make perfume set and plastics bend. found in most mainstream cosmetics, glues, nail polish, plastics...
propylene glycol
easily absorbed solvent that causes contact dermatitis, skin irritations, acne and allergies
stearics
(acids and other types) carcinogenic
talc
can contain asbestos, do not use on babies, linked to ovarian cancer, respiratory toxin
TEA ingredients
(not tea, but rather ingredients with TEA in front such as Tea lauryl sulfate) severe irritants, can contain ammonium salts, eye irritant, sensitizer, may cause formation of carcinogens, mildly toxic
tocopherol acetate
synthetic vitamin e. contact dermatitis and cancer suspect, carcinogen.