Tinosan, aka Silverion 2400, aka, Silver Citrate

EWG Risk Score:

2

What is it?

Silver Citrate is a preservative that's marketed as a "natural" alternative. Silver works by breaking down the cell membrane of the bacterium and denaturing the enzymes within, thus killing the cell.  Silver citrate is a the salt of silver and citric acid, where silver exists in its ionic form.  Silver citrate in the presence of citric acid (which, when sold as this preservative it's a blend of citric acid and silver citrate) is soluble in water. (Source)

What are its risks:

Silver ions, as found in Silver Citrate are extremely potent anti-microbial agents.  The problem is that silver ions cannot distinguish between "good" cells and "bad" cells.

• Dissolved ionic silver is the most biologically active form of silver, is highly toxic to all living cells and bioaccumulative.
• Downstream it sticks to fish gills, keeping them from breathing. 
• Contributes to antibiotic resistance.
• Silver ions were found to accumulate of the brains and testes of the mammals (mice) studied.  

Sources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22857815

http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/pdf/
hylanderhaxton_not_2906_en.pdf 

http://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/93/b3/3/636/
Nano_and_biocidal_silver.pdf

Oleamide DEA

EWG Risk Score:

1 (Should be higher)

What is it?

Also known as Oleic Diethanolamide, it's used as a foam booster and thickener in shampoos, bubble baths and shower gels. 

What are its risks:

• Oleamide DEA, due to the way it's processed, can contain and release a group of carcinogenic chemicals called nitrosamines. "Alkanolamides  are  manufactured  by  condensation  of  diethanolamine  and  the methylester  of  long  chain  fatty  acids.  Several alkanolamides (especially secondary alkanolamides) are susceptible to nitrosamine formation which constitutes a potential health problem. " (Source)

• Skin irritation, can exacerbate dermatitis and other conditions. "Repeated exposure may cause skin cracking, flaking or drying following normal handling and use. In products intended for prolonged contact with the skin, the concentration of cocoamide DEA should not exceed 5%. Fatty acid diethanolamides (C8-C18) and monoethanolamides are classified by CESIO as irritating." (Source)

• Eye irritation. (Source) 

Steph's Opinion:

Cocamide DEA and oleamide DEA are created using the same method and are practically the same chemical. Oleamide DEA is created simply using oleic acid, a fatty acid found in many oils like coconut, whereas cocamide DEA is made with whole coconut oil instead of just the oleic acid. That's the only difference. So, oleamide DEA is actually present in cocamide DEA. The EWG Hazard Score for cocamide DEA is a 6, whereas oleamide DEA only scores a 1. This is due to lack of data on oleamide DEA because it is used less frequently. However, it poses the exact same risks as cocamide DEA and should score as such.  

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate

EWG Skin Deep Hazard Score:

2 (should be higher)

What is it:

Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate is a surfactant (detergent) used in shampoos for cleansing and foam boosting.  

What are its risks:

• DLS is created using the carcinogen ethylene oxide, traces of which can remain in the product, along with its carcinogenic by-product 1,4-dioxane. 
• Skin irriation (source)
• Eye irritation (source) 

Steph's Opinion:

There is not much information out there about this chemical, however, accoring to current sources it is fairly biodegradeable and not a reproductive toxin.  While it may be more gentle on hair and skin than SLS, the main concern with disodium laureth suflosuccinate is the fact that it's an ethoxylated chemcial that may contain traces of carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane and/or ethylene oxide.

Butylene glycol

EWG Skin Deep Hazard Score:

0-1

What is it:

Butylene glycol is a solvent, humectant, and skin conditioner.  Butylene glycol is added to formulas because it helps draw moisture from the air and bring it to your skin (called a humectant).  It's also used as a solvent, helping essential oils or fragrances mix in to water-based formulas.  It's most commonly synthetically produced through the catalytic hydrogenation of acetaldehyde. (source)

What are its risks: 

• Can cause skin irritation and dermatitis in certain individuals.  (Source)
• Extreme eye irritation (source)
• Carcinogenic impurities (see below)

Steph's Opinion: 

Butylene glycol itself appears not to be terribly harmful. It has low toxicity, and low risk of irritation, and no known reproductive or developmental effects.  (However, data is limited on the subject.) But, cecause it is typically derived from petroleum sources, it is possible that it can contain traces of a class of carcinogenic chemicals called polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). 

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate

EWG Risk Score:

1

What is it?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is a relatively newer chemical to the market.  It is increasingly becoming a replacement for sodium laureth and sodium lauryl sulfate.  It is a surfactant used to clean, de-grease, and create lather. 

Safety Info:

There is not a wealth of information available on this ingredients, however, the EPA has provided some on this pdf.

• Considered to be moderately irritating to skin
• Moderately irritating to eyes
• No evidence of reproductive toxicity in humans
• Not considered to be readily biodegradable
• Moderately toxic to fish and aquatic life

Steph's Opinion:

Although it seems to be a "safer" alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate, it still does pose the risk of skin irritation.  Additionally, it's not an environmentally-friendly option, as it takes a long time to bio-degrade and does pollute aquatic ecosystems.

Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate

EWG Skin Deep Hazard Score:

2

What is it:

Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate is a cosmetic preservative used shampoos, baby wipes, cleaning agents, cleansing bars, lotions and many other household products.  

What are its risks:

• Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate works as a preservative by slowly releasing formaldehyde.  This can be a problem for a number of reasons.  First, being that formaldehyde is a known carcinogen.  Second, it's a skin irritant and sensitizer.  (Source) 

Steph's Opinion:

While EWG only gives it a "2" hazard score, I would rate it much higher.  It should be rated the same as other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives like DMDM Hydantoin (7-8) and Diazolidinyl urea (5). 

Tert-BUTYLHYDROQUINONE (TBHQ)

EWG Skin Deep Hazard Score:

2

What is it:

TBHQ is a phenolic preservative and stabilizer used in cosmetics, varnishes, lacquers, and resins. 

What are its risks:

• A number of animal studies have found it to be mutagenic or carcinogenic at high doses.  (Source)(Source)
• Potential skin or eye irritant at full strength.  (Source)

Steph's Opinion:

TBHQ is a phenol, so it does have the potential to interfere with the way estrogen and estrogen receptors work in the body.  There have been no studies to asses the possible estrogenic activity of this chemical.  Couple this fact with its potentially mutagenic properties, and I'd deem this an ingredient to avoid. 

Sodium PCA

EWG Skin Deep Hazard Score:

1

What is it:

Sodium PCA is short for sodium pyroglutamic acid.  It is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid, a derivative of the amino acid proline. Sodium PCA is considered to be a synthetic chemical.  It is used as a humectant and skin conditioner in cosmetic formulas.

What are its risks:

• In the presence of certain chemicals and in heat and light, sodium PCA can break down and create carcinogenic nitrosamines. (Source)
• No reproductive studies have been done on this ingredient.  It is unknown if it is a xenoestrogen.
• When ingested in larger amounts, may have unknown effects on the brain. (Source)

Steph's Opinion:

I would consider this a low-to-moderate risk ingredient.  I would recommend avoiding if you have MCS or are highly sensitive to MSG, as it has chemical similarities.  I hope for more data to become available as to any possible reproductive effects. 

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

EWG Skin Deep Hazard Score:

4

What is it:

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a synthetic surfactant used as a detergent, skin conditioning agent and emulsifier. 

What are its risks:

• Under certain conditions, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate can break down and form carcinogenic nitrosamines. (Source)
• The Cosmetics Ingredient Review Board advises that it should not be used at more than a 5% concentration, and should only be used in wash-off products.
• Can be a contact allergen. (source)

Steph's Opinion:

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate has the same initials as sodium lauryl sulfate, and the same risks. 

Carbomer

EWG Skin Deep Hazard Score:

0

What is it:

Carbomer is a white fluffy powder that's used in lotions and other cosmetic formulas as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier.  Carbomer does not actually refer to one particular molecule, but is a generic term for a series of polymers primarily made from acrylic acid.  Source

What are its risks:

• The Cosmetics Industry Review Board has deemed carbomer safe for cosmetic use.
• Carbomer can have a varying pH that must be neutralized in order for it to do its job of thickening.  A formula containing carbomer will sometimes have these neutralizing agents listed, including triethanolamine (TEA), sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, tetrasodium EDTA, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.  Other times, companies will buy pre-neutralized carbomer, which may or may not list the neutralizing agent.  (Source)
• Full-strength carbomer can be highly irritating to skin and eyes and may have a permeating effect on skin.  (Source)

Steph's Opinion:

Carbomer is a synthetic chemical made specifically for cosmetic use.  It has been in use for over 50 years, and has a pretty long history of safety.  However, neutralizing agents such as TEA or tetrasodium EDTA may or may not be disclosed on the label, and could possibly be contaminants in the formulation.