If you’ve ever flipped over a shampoo bottle or cleaning spray and felt like you were reading a chemistry textbook, you’re not alone.

Many everyday products contain ingredients linked to hormone disruption, skin irritation, respiratory problems, and environmental harm. While not every chemical is dangerous, there are several ingredients that many people choose to avoid when building a low-tox home (myself included).

The good news is you don’t need to memorize hundreds of chemical names.

Once you know the most common offenders, reading labels becomes much easier.

Below are the 20 most important ingredients to avoid, followed by an extended reference list for deeper research.

The 20 Most Important Ingredients to Avoid

If you’re just starting your low-tox journey, these are the ingredients worth learning first.

They show up in shampoo, lotion, laundry detergent, dish soap, cleaning sprays, and air fresheners.

1. Fragrance / Parfum

This single word can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Companies are allowed to keep fragrance formulas secret, which means you often have no idea what you’re actually breathing or absorbing.

Fragrance is one of the top triggers for headaches, allergies, asthma, and hormone disruption.

2. Phthalates

Often used to stabilize fragrance and make scents last longer. These chemicals are linked to hormone disruption and reproductive concerns.

They are commonly found in:

• perfumes

• air fresheners

• scented cleaners

• body sprays

3. Parabens

Parabens are preservatives used to extend shelf life in personal care products.

Common types include:

• methylparaben

• propylparaben

• butylparaben

They can mimic estrogen in the body, which raises concerns about hormone imbalance.

4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

A strong foaming detergent used in:

• shampoo

• toothpaste

• body wash

• cleaning products

It can strip the skin of natural oils and cause skin and eye irritation.

5. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Similar to SLS but processed differently.

During manufacturing, it may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen that is toxic to people and the environment.

6. Formaldehyde

A known carcinogen sometimes used in disinfectants and preservatives.

It may also appear indirectly through formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.

7. DMDM Hydantoin

A preservative that releases formaldehyde over time to prevent bacterial growth.

Found in:

• shampoos

• conditioners

• lotions

8. Quaternium-15

Another preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde.

Linked to skin irritation and allergic reactions.

9. Triclosan

An antibacterial chemical once common in soaps and toothpaste.

It has been associated with hormone disruption and antibiotic resistance.

10. Triclocarban

A chemical similar to triclosan often found in antibacterial soaps.

It may interfere with endocrine (hormone) function.

11. Oxybenzone

A chemical sunscreen ingredient linked to hormone disruption and environmental concerns.

12. Ammonia

A strong cleaning chemical that can irritate the lungs, skin, and eyes.

Often found in:

• glass cleaners

• floor cleaners

• degreasers

13. Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)

Common household bleach releases fumes that can irritate the respiratory system and react with other chemicals to form harmful gases.

14. Benzalkonium Chloride

A disinfectant used in many household cleaners.

Linked to skin irritation, allergies, and asthma triggers.

15. Toluene

A solvent found in some nail products and cleaners.

Exposure has been linked to nervous system effects.

16. BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

A synthetic preservative used in cosmetics and food products.

Some studies link it to possible cancer risk in animals.

17. BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

A similar preservative that may disrupt hormones and affect the liver.

18. PEG Compounds (Polyethylene Glycols)

These petroleum-based ingredients help products penetrate skin.

They may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both potential carcinogens.

19. Artificial Dyes (FD&C Colors)

Synthetic dyes made from petroleum.

They can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially in sensitive individuals.

20. Coal Tar Dyes

Used in some hair dyes and cosmetic pigments.

These ingredients have been associated with cancer risks.

Extended Ingredient Watch List

Beyond the top 20, here are additional ingredients many low-tox households choose to limit or avoid.

Fragrance Chemicals

• Limonene

• Linalool

• Hexyl Cinnamal

• Coumarin

• Synthetic Musk

• Galaxolide

• Tonalide

Harsh Surfactants

• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

• Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

• Cocamide DEA

• Cocamide MEA

• Lauramide DEA

Preservatives

• Phenoxyethanol

• Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)

• Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT)

• Chlorphenesin

• Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Solvents

• Benzene

• Xylene

• Butyl Cellosolve

• Perchloroethylene (PERC)

Heavy Metals

• Lead

• Mercury

• Arsenic

Other Ingredients

• Talc (unless asbestos-free)

• Aluminum compounds

• EDTA

• Polyethylene microbeads

• Nylon-12

• Dimethicone

• Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4)

If you want an even deeper dive, check out my growing resource here on my blog: ingredients to avoid

A simpler way to clean your home

After 20 years of reading labels, checking ingredients, and switching out the products that we use in our home, I decided enough was enough.

I went back to the basics and started making MY OWN cleaning products instead.

I actually know what I am cleaning my home with. The results are amazing. And it saves me money

WIN. WIN. WIN.

I have collected all of my favorite recipes & put them into a simple, downloadable guide that you can use for yourself.

Grab The Crunchy Cleaning Companion if you’re ready to clean cleaner without second-guessing about the ingredients.

A Simpler Way to Read Labels

You don’t need a chemistry degree to shop smarter.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid products that contain:

• synthetic fragrance
• artificial dyes
• harsh disinfectants
• long chemical ingredient lists

Many effective alternatives use simpler ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, castile soap, plant oils, and essential oils.

These ingredients can clean your home and care for your body without unnecessary chemical exposure

Final Thoughts

Switching to lower-tox products does not have to happen overnight.

Most people start by replacing the items they use most often, such as:

• laundry detergent

• dish soap

• shampoo

• cleaning sprays

Small changes add up over time.

The goal is not perfection. It is simply making more informed choices about what enters your home.

Looking to ditch your current products and switch to safer options?

Check out my product reviews here (with even more to come!)

Try out my DIY non-toxic recipes here

Shop my FAVORITE things here. These are products that I use daily.