Chemicals Found in the Salon - A List to Watch For

Chemicals Found in the Salon - A List to Watch For

We’ve scoured the medical journals and government-backed research here and abroad to find out those chemicals best avoided for your sake, your clients and your planet. None of these ingredients are banned everywhere in the US but many are banned or their use restricted in some way in Europe and other parts of the world to safeguard citizens. Want to add something to help your fellow professionals? Send us an email so we can keep this resource up-to-date!

 

Acrylates (ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, polyethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and methyl methacrylate)

What it might be in: artificial nails products

What exposure can do: The International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classify ethyl acrylate as a possible human carcinogen. Also reports of rashes on eyelids, face and neck, breathing difficulties, throat irritation, headaches, birth defects, loss of concentration; skeletal malformations in rats; cell damage

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: RESTRICTED; banned in Southern California.

 

Ammonia

What it might be in: hair dye, hair relaxers

What exposure can do: irritate eyes, skin and respiratory tract, asthma and other breathing difficulties, dermatitis

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: NO

 

Ammonium Persulfate

What it might be in: hair bleach

What exposure can do: irritate eyes, skin and respiratory tract, asthma and other breathing difficulties, dermatitis and other allergies

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: NO

Acetone

What it might be in: nail polish remover, hairspray

What exposure can do: skin irritation, throat irritation, dizziness

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: NO

Dibutyl phthalate

What it might be in: nail polish

What exposure can do: eye and skin irritation, birth defects, nausea, dizziness

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: RESTRICTED

ETHANOLAMINES: Monoethanolamine (MEA), Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)

What it might be in: as foaming agent in shampoos, soaps and cleanser, hair color, hair treatments

What exposure can do: identified as carcinogenic with links to liver tumors, bioaccumulation, organ system toxicity, allergic reactions, irritation of the eyes and skin

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: YES

Formaldehyde (also known as Methanal, Methyl Aldehyde, or Methylene Oxide)

What it might be in: nail hardeners, nail polish, keratin hair treatments (produced as a gas when heated)

What exposure can do: serious irritation to the eyes, nose, and lungs. Identified as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); considered a human carcinogen by the IARC, the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: YES

Glyceryl Monothioglycolate

What it might be in: used in permanent wave (perming) solutions. The use of glyceryl monothioglycolate is known as an acid perm. Glyceryl monthioglycolate contains no ammonia, hence this type of perm is not associated with the smell that alkaline perms have. 

What exposure can do: People working with glyceryl monothioglycolate can develop allergic contact dermatitis. Often exposure is much less intense and frequent for clients, however the chemical can remain active in hair shafts for months and can cause long-lasting dermatitis in rare cases.

Lead and Heavy Metals

What it might be in: lipsticks, eyeliner, foundations, sun screen, nail color

What exposure can do: linked to reproductive, immune, and nervous system toxicity.

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: LEAD – YES, NICKEL - RESTRICTED

Methyl Ethyl Ketone

What it might be in: artificial nails; fragrance

What exposure can do: skin irritation, breathing difficulties, loss of concentration

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: NO

Parabens (preservative)

What it might be in: pretty much everything to extend shelf life

What exposure can do: mimic estrogen, leading to disruption of normal hormone function

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: RESTRICTED; however the following five have been banned in Europe: isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, benzylparaben, and pentylparaben

P-phenylenediamine (PPD)

What it might be in: hair dye, skin tattoos

What exposure can do: allergic reactions (life threatening); immunotoxicity

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: NO

Phenol (also known as hydroxybenzene)

What it might be in: skincare, anti-aging products, exfoliates

What exposure can do: According to Environmental Protection Agency, is highly irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes in humans after acute (short-term) inhalation or dermal exposures. Can be toxic.

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: YES

Phthalates (phthalic acid)

What it might be in: fragrances, nail polish, hair spray, shampoos and cleansers What exposure can do: carcinogenic, linked to developmental and reproductive issues; increases chances of type 2 diabetes; lowers sperm concentration and mobility; asthma, breast cancer, obesity

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: YES, since 2020

Propylene glycol (petrochemical)

What it might be in: lotions, creams

What exposure can do: ages skin, allergic reactions, liver and kidney damage

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: NO, but to meet worldwide demand requires 1 million tons of petroleum each year

PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol) – microplastic

What it might be in: skin care, used for thickening and emulsifying, washing machine pods

What exposure can do: Not fully biodegradable so pumps microplastics into water sources.

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: NO, but New York is currently looking at a further ban on washing pods that if passed will come into effect in 2026.

Styrene (nano styrene)

What it might be in: nail varnish, sunscreen, body wash, shampoo and eyeliner What exposure can do: trouble concentrating and tiredness along with vision problems; carcinogenic; impact on gastrointestinal; irate eyes, skin and upper respiratory tract.

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: YES from Nov 2025

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) - often sourced from Petrochemicals

What it might be in: used as foaming agent in shampoos, cleansers

What exposure can do: eye and scalp irritation

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: RESTRICTED

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLES) , most often sourced from Petrochemicals

What it might be in: used as foaming agent in shampoos, cleansers

What exposure can do: derived from SLS but considered less harsh

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: RESTRICTED

Toluene (also known as methylbenzene or phenylmethane)

What it might be in: nail varnish, nail glue, hair dye, wig glue

What exposure can do: eye and nose irritation, tiredness, confusion, euphoria, dizziness, headache, dilated pupils, tears, anxiety, muscle fatigue, insomnia, nerve damage, inflammation of the skin, and liver and kidney damage.

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: RESTRICTED

Triclosan

What it might be in: antimicrobial to stop bacteria growing in some hand soaps, body soaps/shower gels, face powders, blemish concealers

What exposure can do: endocrine disruption, bioaccumulation, and the emergence of bacteria resistant to antibodies and antibacterial products; skin irritation, contact allergic dermatitis

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: RESTRICTED

Xylene

What it might be in: synthetic fragrances

What exposure can do: headaches, dizziness, weakness, irritability, vomiting, and impaired reaction time

Is it banned in beauty or cosmetics products in Europe: RESTRICTED Limiting your exposure to chemicals is the best strategy to reducing the risks to your health. Read more on ways to reduce your exposure to the chemicals most commonly found in beauty salons.

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