The Verdict List

Ingredient glossary

One page per ingredient or material we've flagged somewhere on the site. If you own a product we haven't reviewed yet, look up what's on its label here and draw your own conclusion — that's more useful than a review we haven't written.

Ingredients below are grouped by how much attention they deserve, riskiest first — not alphabetically. Within each group, they're listed alphabetically, so you can still jump straight to a name you already have in mind.

Avoid entirely

  • PFASAvoid entirelyalso called: Forever chemicals, PFOA, PFOS, Organic fluorine, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, Fluoropolymer

Use with caution

  • 1,4-DioxaneUse with cautionalso called: Dioxane, 1,4-Diethylene dioxide, Diethylene dioxide, Diethylene ether, p-Dioxane, 1,4-Diethyleneoxide
  • Dyes and ColorantsUse with cautionalso called: Diaper dyes, Disperse dyes, Azo dyes, Textile dyes, Print pigments/inks, Colorants, Non-migrating pigments
  • Formaldehyde-Releasing PreservativesUse with cautionalso called: Formaldehyde donors, Formaldehyde releasers, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Bronopol, Germall 115, Germall II, Dowicil 200, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
  • FragranceUse with cautionalso called: Parfum, Perfume, Aroma, Fragrance (undisclosed mixture)
  • Optical BrightenersUse with cautionalso called: Fluorescent Whitening Agents (FWAs), Fluorescent Brightening Agents (FBAs), Optical Brightening Agents (OBAs), UV brighteners, Tinopal, Blankophor, Uvitex
  • PhenoxyethanolUse with cautionalso called: 2-Phenoxyethanol, Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, Phenoxethol, PhE
  • PhthalatesUse with cautionalso called: Phthalate esters, PAEs, DEHP, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DBP, Dibutyl phthalate, BBP, Benzyl butyl phthalate, DINP, Diisononyl phthalate, DEP, Diethyl phthalate
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Use with cautionalso called: VOCs, Off-gassing, Trace VOCs
  • Zinc oxideUse with cautionalso called: ZnO

Depends on context

  • Cocamidopropyl BetaineDepends on contextalso called: CAPB, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Coconut Amidopropyl Betaine
  • Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride PhosphateDepends on contextalso called: Arlasilk Phospholipid PTC, Cola Lipid C, Cocamidopropyl Propylene Glycol-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
  • Elemental chlorine-free pulpDepends on contextalso called: ECF pulp, Chlorine-free pulp, ECF-bleached wood pulp
  • HydroxyacetophenoneDepends on contextalso called: 4'-Hydroxyacetophenone, p-Hydroxyacetophenone, 4-Hydroxyacetophenone, HAP, SymSave H (trade name), Piceol
  • Methylisothiazolinone (MI/MIT)Depends on contextalso called: MI, MIT, Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, MCI/MI, Kathon CG, 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-Methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone, Neolone 950
  • Natural Rubber LatexDepends on contextalso called: Latex, Natural Latex, NRL, Natural Latex Rubber, Hevea Latex, India Rubber
  • PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilDepends on contextalso called: Polyoxyl 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Kolliphor RH 40, Cremophor RH 40, Macrogolglycerol Hydroxystearate
  • PolyethyleneDepends on contextalso called: PE, Polyethene, Polythene, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene wax
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ("Quats")Depends on contextalso called: Quats, QACs, Quaternary ammonium salts, Benzalkonium chloride, BAC, BZK, ADBAC, Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, Didecyldimethylammonium chloride, DDAC, Cetrimonium chloride, Dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride

Generally fine

  • PTFE (Teflon)Generally finealso called: Teflon, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Fluoropolymer, PTFE resin
  • Sodium polyacrylateGenerally finealso called: Superabsorbent polymer, SAP, Polyacrylate, Cross-linked sodium polyacrylate