Synthetic Preservatives

Synthetic preservatives are not without harm to humans and wildlife in their manufacture, when they are rubbed into the body and when they are washed down the drain. They are considered by leading dermatological associations to be the number one cause of contact dermatitis.

ascorbic acid | ascorbyl palmitate | benzethonium chloride | benzyl alcohol | BHA | BHT | boric acid
butyl paraben | captan | cetrimonium bromide | chloramine | chlorhexidine | chlorobutanol
chloroxylenol | chlorphenesin | denatured alcohol | diazolidinyl urea | DMDM Hydantoin | ethanolamines
ethyl paraben | euxyl | hexachlorophene | imidazolidinyl urea | isopropyl alcohol | kathon | methenamine
methylparaben | methylisothiazolinone | phenethyl alcohol | phenoxyethanol | phenylphenol
potassium metabisulfite | potassium sorbate | propyl paraben | quaternary ammonium compounds | salicylic acid
SD alcohol | sodium benzoate | sodium bisulfite | sodium borate | sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate
sodium propionate | sorbic acid | succinic acid | thimerosal | undecylenic acid | urea

ascorbic acid: also known as vitamin C. Used in creams, soaps, hair dyes and conditioners. Promoted as an antiwrinkle products. Highly soluble in water and appears as a white to light yellow crystals or powder.

effects: no known adverse effects

benefits: can help to keep and rebuild healthy collagen fibers.

ascorbyl palmitate: a semi synthetic or synthetic compound derived from ascorbic acid. It acts as an antioxidant. Used in cosmetic creams and lotions to prevent rancidity.

effects: some palmitates have been linked to contact dermatitis.

benefits: helps make possible the blending of vitamins A, C, and D into a suspension.

benzethonium chloride: a synthetic compound. Used as a antistatic ingredient, deodorant, cleansing ingredient, body and hand preparations, skin care products, and hair products.

effects: prolonged contact with the skin may be harmful. This ingredient used to be provisionally permitted in the EU, until June 30, 1998. Following further tests the provisional status was removed. It is limited to a maximum of .1% of the finished product and can only be used in rinse off products only. On the Canadian Hotlist.

benzyl alcohol: a solvent in perfumes, but a preservative in hair dyes, and topical antiseptic. It is derived as a pure alcohol. It is a constituent of jasmine, hyacinth, and other plants.

effects: it can be irritating and corrosive to the skin and mucous membranes. Ingestion can cause intestinal upsets.

BHA (Butylated Hudroxyanisole): also an antioxidant in cosmetics. White to slightly yellow, waxy solid with a faint odor.

effects: can cause allergic reactions in some people. Can also cause contact dermatitis. If absorbed it can cause lipid and cholesterol levels to increase and encourage the breakdown of important nutrients such as vitamin D. It is a suspected endocrine disrupter chemical.

BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene): a synthetic compound and antioxidant. A white crystalline solid with a faint odor. Chemically similar to BHA.

effects: can cause contact allergies and contact dermatitis. A cancer suspect. If absorbed it can encourage the breakdown of important nutrients such as vitamin D.

boric acid: a synthetic compound used for its antimicrobial, antiseptic, and fungicidal properties. Used in baby powders, bath powders, eye creams, mouthwashes, soap, and many other products. It is widely used despite repeated warnings from the American Medical Association of possible toxicity.

effects: toxic, irritant. Boric acid and borates have been linked to fetal malformations. Severe poisonings have followed both ingestion and topical application to abraded skin. The Food and Drug Administration issued a notice in 1992 that boic acid has not been shown to be safe and effective for stated claims in OTC products. It is limited to 5% in the body powders, .5% in oral care products, 3% in other preparations. It can not be used in products for children under 3.

butylparaben: a synthetic compound of the benzoate family. Used as an antifungal preservative. Used along with other preservatives.

effects: benzoic acid, benzoates and parabens have been implicated in a large number of health issues. Read more...

captan: used as a fungicide of low toxicity. Captan is the name of a general use pesticide (GUP) that belongs to the phthalimide class of fungicides.

effects: in large doses can cause diarrhea. It is mutagenic and has produced cancer in mice following oran administration. CIR Expert Panel concludes that the available data are insufficient to support the safety of captan used in cosmetics. It is on the Canadian Hotlist

cetrimonium bromide: a synthetic compound used as a preservative. A cationic detergent and antiseptic, disinfectant, and cleansing ingredient in skin-cleaning products and shampoos. It masks or decreases perspiration odors.

effects: can be irritating to skin and eyes. Has to be limited to .1% of the finished product if used as a preservative.

chloramine: a synthetic ingredient used as an antimicrobial and antiseptic used in nail bleaches, dental preparations, and mouthwashes. White crystals fairly soluble in water.

effects: may be irritating to skin and cause allergic reactions.

chlorhexidine: a synthetic compound used as a topical antiseptic and skin sterilizing ingredient. It is a white, crystalline powder and is strongly alkaline.

effects: may cause contact dermatitis. The use is limited up to .14% in products. It is on the Canadian Hotlist.

chlorobutanol: a synthetic compound with a white, crystalline alcohol used in eye lotions and antioxidant baby oils. It has a camphor odor and taste. Formerly used in medicinally as a hypnotic and sedative, today it is used as an anesthetic and antiseptic.

effects: a central nervous system depressant, it is used as a hypnotic drug. It is harmful by inhalation.

chloroxylenol: a synthetic compound with a white, crystalline solid. used as an antiseptic, germicide, and fungicide in hair tonics shampoos, contraceptive douches, deodorants, bath salts, and many other products.

effects: toxic by ingestion. Penetrates the skin and can be irritating to the skin.

chlorphensesin: an alcohol used as a germicide.

effects: no known adverse effects.

denatured alcohol: ethyl alcohol must be made unfit for drinking before it can be used in cosmetics. Various substances are added such as denatonium and benzoate to make the alcohol into malodorous and obnoxious.

effects: it is a poisonous substance if ingested.

diazolidinyl urea: a semisynthetic or synthetic compound. Crystals from alcohol, very soluble in water. Used in textile industry in cotton; as a pesticide and in cosmetics as an antiseptic.

effects: can cause contact dermatitis. May release formaldehyde.

DMDM Hydantoin: a synthetic compound used as a preservative. Used in shampoos and cosmetics to prevent mold, mildews, and bacterial spoilage.

effects: may release formaldehyde. Can be a skin irritant.

ethanolamines (MEA): a synthetic compound used for pH control. There are three compounds, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine. They all have low melting points, colorless, and solid. They absorb water and form viscous liquids. Widely used as detergents and emulsifying ingredients.

effects: a harmful skin irritant. There is a danger of nitrosamine contamination. Can be irritating to skin.

ethyl paraben: a synthetic compound of the benzoate family.

effects: benzoic acid, benzoates and parabens have been implicated in a large number of health issues. Read more...

euxyl: a newer preservative increasing in use. It contains 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutan and 2-phenoxyethanol.

effects: there are increasing reports of contact dermatitis.

hexachlorophene: an antibacterial used in baby oil, baby powder, hairdressings, cold creams, deodorants, antiperspirants, shampoos, and other cosmetic products.

effects: in 1971 EPA stating that hexachlorophene has been found toxic to experimental animals, capable of penetrating the skin, and present in the blood of some human beings. Also in 1971 the FDA curbed the use of hexachlorophene-containing detergents and soaps for total body bathing. The FDA limited the amount up to .75% in products. It is on the Canadian Hotlist.

imidazolidinyl urea: most commonly used preservative after parabens. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is used in baby shampoos, lotions, oils, powders, fragrances, creams, and many other products.

effects: causes contact dermatitis. CIR Expert Panel is considering new information to determine the final safety of this ingredient.

isopropyl alcohol: known as isopropanol. An antibacterial, solvent, and denaturant. Used in hair-color treatments, body rubs, hand lotions, and many other cosmetics. It is obtained from propylene which is obtained in the cracking of petroleum.

effects: ingestion or inhalation is large quantities may cause flushing, headache, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting and can be fatal if a dose is about 1 fluid ounce.

kathon: Octhilinone. A fungicide used in shampoos. It is effective in concentration and is very useful against bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

effects: sensitization has been reported.

methenamine: a synthetic ingredient with an odorless, white, crystalline powder made from formaldehyde and ammonia. Used as an antiseptic and bacteria killer in deodorant creams and powders, mouthwashes, and medicines. It is omitted from hypoallergenic cosmetics.

effects: can cause skin rashes.

methyl paraben: a synthetic ingredient of the benzoate family. One of the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics. It has a broad spectrum of anitmicrobial activity.

effects: The benzoates and paraben have been implicated in a large number of health issues. Can cause allergic reactions. Read more...

methylisothiazolinone: a synthetic compound widely used with methylchloroisothiazolinone in shampoos to replace formaldehyde. Used in baby products, moisturizers, and cleansing creams.

effects: can cause allergic reactions. Most be used in limited amounts. On the Canadian Hotlist.

phenethyl alcohol: used as a floral scent in rose perfumes and as a preservative in cosmetics.

effects: in some studies it was found to cause birth defects in rats.

phenoxyethanol: a synthetic compound widely used in perfumes, bactericide, insect repellent, and topical antiseptic. Also used in many cosmetics such as hairsprays, bubble baths, eye lotions, makeup, and shampoos.

effects: can cause contact allergies and contact dermatitis. Can be an eye irritant in non-diluted concentrations.

phenylphenol: white, flaky crystals with a mild odor. Prepared from phenyl ether. Used as a germicide and fungicide in cosmetics.

effects: phenol is obtained from coal tar which can be highly toxic.

potassium metabisulfite: a synthetic compound. White granules or powder with a sharp odor, used as an antiseptic, preservative, antioxidant.

effects: an irritant.

potassium sorbate: a synthetic compound of sorbic acid Potassium Salt. Used as a mold and yeast inhibitor.

effects: a mild irritant to the skin.

propyl paraben: a synthetic compound of the benzoate family. A common preservative that is antifungal and antimicrobial. It preserves the oil components in preparations. Used in shampoos, baby preparations, foundation creams, beauty masks, and eye lotions.

effects: The benzoates and paraben have been implicated in a large number of health issues. Can cause allergic reactions. Read more...

quaternary ammonium compounds: a wide variety of preservatives, surfactants, germicides, sanitizers, antiseptics, and deodorants. Benzalkonium chloride is one of the most popular. These ingredients are derivatives of ammonium chloride and are used in deodorants, after-shave lotions, shampoos, hand creams, and many other cosmetics.

effects: all the quaternary ammonium compounds can be toxic. Read more...

salicylic acid: synthetically prepared by heating phenol with carbon dioxide. It is used as a preservative and antimicrobial in skin softeners, face masks, deodorants, and many other cosmetics. It has been widely promoted as an anti-wrinkle product. Used to exfoliate the skin. Also known as BHA's.

effects: it is banned by the EU for children under three. It can cause increased sensitivity to the sun. It can be absorbed by the skin. Large doses can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, skin rashes, mental disturbances, and increased respiration. It is on the Canadian Hotlist.

SD alcohol: denatured ethyl alcohol. Used also as thickeners, solidifies, and liquefiers.

effects: no known adverse effects.

sodium benzoate: a synthetic compound of the benzoate family. An antiseptic used in eye creams, and toothpastes. A white, odorless powder or crystals.

effects: The benzoates have been implicated in a large number of health issues.

sodium bisulfite: a synthetic compound used as an antiseptic. Used in creams, mouthwashes, bleaches, perfumes, and hair dyes.

effects: it is a known irritant. Can cause changes in the genetic material of bacteria and is a suspected mutagen.

sodium borate: a synthetic compound used for pH control. Used in freckle lotions, nail whiteners, and eye lotions. A hard odorless powder.

effects: highly toxic and have been linked to fetal malformations. Has a drying effect on skin and hair. The CIR Expert Panel is considering new information to determine the safety of this ingredient.

sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate: a synthetic compound. It is a broad spectrum antimicrobial that is active against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, yeast and mold. It is used at extremely low concentrations.

effects: the safety of this ingredient is uncertain. The EU is following further scientific tests.

sodium propionate: a synthetic compound that is colorless, odorless crystals that gather water in moist air. Prevents mold and fungus.

effects: can cause allergic reactions.

sorbic acid: a semitsynthetic or synthetic compound with a white powder obtained from the berries of the mountain ash or made from chemicals in the factory. A mold and yeast inhibitor. Used to replace glycerin in many cosmetics.

effects: can cause nettle rash or hives.

succinic acid: occurs in fossils, fungi, lichens. Prepared from acetic acid. Odorless acid used as a germicide and mouthwash.

effects: The acid is combustible and corrosive, capable of causing burns. Harmful by inhalation, ingestion and through skin absorption. Wash after handling. Eye contact may cause serious damage.

thimerosal: a synthetic compound originally used as an antiseptic, this is a highly poisonous, creamy white compound of mercury, sulfur and salicylic acid. It is also called merthielate. Used as a bacteriostat and fungistat in eye preparations.

effects: mercury compounds are toxic by skin absorption, can cause contact dermatitis, and accumulate in the body. The label must carry suitable warnings. On the Canadian Hotlist.

undecylenic acid: occurs in sweat. Obtained from ricinoleic acid. A liquid powder used in fungicide, in perfumes, and as a lubricant additive in cosmetics. Also used as an antifungal and antibacterial ingredient.

effects: can cause skin irritation. Avoid inhaling and contact with the eyes.

urea: a natural substance but usually prepared synthetically. A product of protein metabolism excreted by human urine. An antiseptic and deodorizer used in antiperspirants, ammoniated dentifrices, mouthwashes, hair colorings, lotions, and shampoos.

effects: can cause thinning of the epidermis and may impair skin function. On the Canadian Hotlist.