In a world where chemicals lurk in almost every product we use, it can feel overwhelming to think about detoxing your daily life. But the good news is, even small steps can make a big difference. Every choice you make to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals is a step toward a healthier lifestyle. And with so many natural, safe alternatives available, detoxifying your life doesn’t have to feel impossible.

Our friends at MADE SAFE, a nonprofit focused on creating safer products, have helped us identify five common chemicals found in everyday items that you’ll want to avoid. Whether it’s in personal care products, household goods, or even the food you eat, these chemicals pose significant health risks.

By making simple swaps and paying attention to what goes into the products you use, you can reduce your exposure to toxins and give your body a break from the harmful chemicals that accumulate over time. Studies have shown that even short-term changes, like switching to safer cosmetics or avoiding packaged food, can have an immediate impact—lowering the levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the body by up to 60%.

Ready to get started? Here’s a list of harmful chemicals to look out for and how to avoid them.

1. Formaldehyde

What Is It?

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing ingredients are commonly used as preservatives in many everyday products. While they serve to extend the shelf life of items, they come with significant health risks. Short-term exposure to formaldehyde can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, while long-term exposure has been linked to allergic skin reactions and rashes. Most concerning, formaldehyde is classified as a known carcinogen by both the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Where Is It Found?

Formaldehyde is often lurking in personal care products like shampoos and liquid baby soaps. In salons, it’s commonly found in nail polish, nail hardeners, and eyelash glue. Some hair straighteners also release formaldehyde when exposed to high heat, posing an even greater risk during their application.

How Can You Avoid It?

• Read the labels: Look for formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, and diazolidinyl urea.
• Nail care: Choose nail polishes labeled "three-free" to avoid the toxic trio of formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene. Be mindful, though—some polishes may still contain these chemicals despite the label.
• For babies: Stick to simple, preservative-free products with safe, recognizable ingredients.
• Hair styling: Avoid chemical hair straighteners that release formaldehyde and opt for heat styling tools like a hot iron instead.

2. Phthalates

What Are They?

Phthalates are synthetic chemicals often hidden in fragrance ingredients to make scents last longer. They’re also used as plasticizers to make products more flexible. While they may seem harmless, phthalates have been linked to a range of health concerns. They’re known endocrine disruptors, which means they can interfere with hormone function—affecting both development and reproduction. Phthalate exposure has been tied to childhood asthma, lower sperm counts in males, and altered thyroid function in females.

Where Are They Found?

You’ll find phthalates in many fragranced cosmetics and personal care products, as well as in plastics. Unfortunately, since “fragrance” is often listed as a catch-all term on labels, it’s hard to know exactly which chemicals are being used.

How Can You Avoid Them?

While avoiding phthalates may feel like a challenge, here are some simple tips to reduce your exposure:

• Fragranced products: Cut down on products with synthetic fragrances. Instead, look for those that disclose all fragrance ingredients and use pure essential oils.
• Makeup: Opt for makeup brands that are transparent about their ingredients and avoid those that list “fragrance” without specifying what it contains. Many clean beauty brands are phthalate-free and focus on natural, safe alternatives.
• Plastic use: Limit the use of plastic products and reduce your consumption of food packaged in plastics. Choose glass or stainless steel when possible to reduce exposure to harmful toxins in everyday products.

3. Parabens

What Are They?

Parabens are a class of synthetic chemicals commonly used as preservatives in personal care products like lotions, shampoos, cosmetics, and even personal lubricants. They prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, mold, and yeast, extending the shelf life of products. However, despite their widespread use, parabens are known to interfere with your body’s natural hormone balance.

Health Concerns

Parabens are classified as endocrine disruptors, meaning they can mimic estrogen in the body, potentially leading to hormone imbalances. Long-term exposure to parabens has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly breast cancer. Parabens have also been found in urine, blood, and even breast tissue, indicating how readily they are absorbed by the body.

Where Are They Found?

Parabens are often found in a wide range of personal care products, including:

• Shampoos and conditioners
• Body lotions
• Sunscreen
• Deodorants
• Personal lubricants
• Makeup, particularly foundations and mascaras

Common parabens to look out for include methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben.

How Can You Avoid Them?

Read labels carefully: Avoid products that list parabens on the ingredient list, such as methylparaben or propylparaben.

Choose natural alternatives: Opt for products labeled “paraben-free” and look for natural preservatives like vitamin E or essential oils. For personal lubricants, seek out formulas that mimic the body’s own natural lubrication. Look for iso-osmolar, water-based options made with aloe that won’t strip your body of its natural moisture.

Go organic: Organic-certified products are typically free of synthetic preservatives like parabens.

4. Dioxane

What Is It?

1,4-dioxane (often referred to simply as dioxane) isn’t something manufacturers intentionally add to products, but it can still sneak into items we use every day. It’s created during a process called ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide is added to ingredients to make them gentler on the skin. However, the result can leave behind 1,4-dioxane, which is recognized as a probable carcinogen. Multiple scientific agencies, including California’s Proposition 65, the National Toxicology Program, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have flagged dioxane as a likely cancer risk.

Where Is It Found?

Dioxane is often found in products that foam or create suds, such as shampoos, shower gels, dish soaps, and laundry detergents. But it can also be present in other common items like toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, and hair dye.

How Can You Avoid It?

While 1,4-dioxane won’t show up on ingredient labels, here are some ways to reduce your exposure:

• Check for common contaminants: Avoid ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds (labeled “PEG” followed by a number), or any chemicals ending in “eth” (like ceteareth or oleth), as they are often contaminated with dioxane.
• Look for organic certifications: USDA Organic-certified products don’t allow the ethoxylation process, offering you a cleaner, safer alternative.

5. PFOA

What Is It?

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) is a chemical you definitely want to avoid. Known as an endocrine disruptor, it’s been linked to serious health risks, including cancer. PFOA is also persistent, meaning it doesn’t break down in the environment and can stay in the human body for long periods of time, accumulating with continued exposure.

Where Is It Found?

PFOA is most commonly found in non-stick cookware like Teflon, as well as other non-stick or stain-resistant coatings, including Gore-Tex. It can also be present in carpets, furniture, and even makeup products like eyeshadow, powders, and anti-aging creams.

How Can You Avoid It?

Reducing your exposure to PFOA is easier than you think:

• Cookware: Swap your non-stick cookware for safer options like cast iron or stainless steel.
• Stain-resistant materials: Avoid items labeled as stain-resistant, such as certain clothing, carpets, or furniture, as they’re often treated with PFOA.
• Makeup: Check your cosmetics, particularly eyeshadows, powders, and creams. Avoid products that list PFOA, PFTE, or Polyacrylamide.

6. BHT and BHA

What Are They?

BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) are synthetic preservatives found in a variety of everyday products. While they help extend shelf life, their impact on health is concerning. BHA has been categorized as a Category 1 endocrine disruptor by the European Commission, indicating strong evidence of hormone-disrupting effects. Both BHA and BHT have been linked to organ toxicity, skin irritation, and developmental toxicity. BHA is even listed as a possible carcinogen on California’s Proposition 65 and has been classified as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” by the National Toxicology Program.

Where Are They Found?

These chemicals are commonly found in cosmetics, personal care items such as shampoos, deodorants, and body lotions, as well as food and food packaging.

How Can You Avoid Them?

Fortunately, BHT and BHA are required to appear on ingredient labels, making it easier to avoid them:

• Check labels: Look for these chemicals in your cosmetics, personal care items, and food products. Choose safer alternatives that use natural preservatives.