Let's be real, who has the time to read all those label ingredients on beauty products? However, if your health is important to you it may be worthwhile to spare a few moments and look out for these common toxic ingredients found in beauty products and here's why you should avoid them.

1. Petroleum

Petroleum is a by-product of crude oil and is commonly contaminated with carcinogens. While companies like Vaseline have proven to remove these carcinogens you don't always know if other beauty companies are using non-toxic petroleum jelly when manufacturing beauty products. 

2. Parabens

Parabens are known to disrupt hormone function which is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity,” reports the non-profit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC). 

3.Sulfates  

Sulfates are commonly found in shampoos and body washes and are a type of ingredient that attracts both oil and water. Sulfates create suds and separate the dirt from your skin or hair, allowing water to wash away dirt. Sounds great right? The downside is that sulfates can strip your scalp of its natural oils and can cause irritation and redness. ( not to forget the bad stinging if it gets into your eyes)

4. Fragrance

Ahh, the good old fragrance. This is one we really need to be aware of. A fragrance could be a combination of thousands of chemicals that companies don't have to tell you about. Up to 75% of the time, when there is a “fragrance” in an ingredient, there are legally hidden phthalates.

There are natural fragrances that are plant-derived and non-synthetic and are safe to use. You do have to do a little research to make sure that they are natural.

5. Phthalates:  

Phthalates are used to moisturize and to help chemicals absorb into the skin. The most common use of phthalates is as an ingredient in "fragrance" mixtures added to body care products which can interfere with hormones in the body, posing potential risks to the reproductive and thyroid systems.

Memorize these ingredients so you can avoid green-washed products.