Are Your Skin Products Causing Your Breakouts?
- By belaray
- •
- 14 Jun, 2008
Did you know that some ingredients in cosmetics, medications, make up, sunblocks, shaving creams, and hair care products can cause pimples and skin irritation? The only way to tell if your products may be contributing to your skin problem is to know what ingredients might be bad for your skin. Here is a list to […]
If you find an ingredient not on this list, let us know and we will add it.
This list is alphabetized for your convenience. Print it out, and bring it with you to your next visit to the cosmetic counter.
| FAMILY
|
NAME
|
COM GRADE |
IRR GRADE |
| Solvent
|
Acetone
|
0 |
5 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
Acetylated Lanolin
|
4 |
0 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol
|
4 |
2 |
| Botanicals
|
Algae Extract
|
5 |
4 |
| Minerals
|
Algin
|
4 |
4 |
| Preservatives & Additives
|
Allantoin
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Almond Oil
|
2 |
0 |
| Botanicals
|
Aloe Vera Gel
|
0 |
0 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Aminomethylpropionate
|
0 |
0 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
Anhydrous Lanolin
|
0-1 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Apricot Kernel Oil
|
2 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Arachidic Acid
|
2 |
0 |
| Vitamins & Herbs
|
Ascorbic Acid
|
0 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Ascorbyl Palmitate
|
2 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Avocado Oil
|
2 |
0 |
| Hydrocarbon
|
Azulene
|
2 |
0 |
| Antioxidant
|
BHA
|
2 |
3 |
| Waxes
|
Beeswax
|
0-2 |
0-2 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Behenic Acid
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Behenyl Triglyceride
|
0 |
0 |
| Clay
|
Bentonite
|
0 |
0 |
| Fragrance
|
Benzaldehyde
|
2 |
2 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Benzoic Acid
|
2 |
3 |
| Antioxidant
|
Beta Carotene
|
1 |
0 |
| Vitamins & Herbs
|
Black Walnut Extract
|
0 |
0 |
| Proteins & Enzymes
|
Bromelain
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Bubussa Oil
|
1 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Butyl Stearate
|
3 |
0 |
| Antioxidant
|
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
|
2 |
3 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Butylene Glycol
|
1 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Cajeput Oil
|
2 |
4 |
| Botanicals
|
Calendula
|
1 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Camphor
|
2 |
2 |
| Waxes
|
Candelilla Wax
|
1 |
1 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Capric Acid
|
2 |
2 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Caprylic Acid
|
1 |
3 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Carbomer
|
0 |
1 |
| Thickeners & Emulsifiers
|
Carbomer 940
|
1 |
0 |
| Sodium
|
Carboxypropylcellulose
|
1 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
Carmine
|
0 |
0 |
| Waxes
|
Carnuba Wax
|
1 |
1 |
| Antioxidant
|
Carotene
|
1 |
0 |
| Botanicals
|
Carrageenan
|
5 |
2 |
| Natural Oils
|
Castor Oil
|
1 |
0 |
| Waxes
|
Ceresin Wax
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Cetearyl Alcohol
|
2 |
1 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20
|
4 |
1 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
Cetyl Acetate
|
4 |
0-3 |
| Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives
|
Cetyl Alcohol
|
2 |
2 |
| Botanicals
|
Chamomile
|
2 |
0 |
| Botanicals
|
Chamomile Extract
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Chaulomoogra Oil
|
1 |
0 |
| Sterols
|
Cholesterol
|
0 |
0 |
| Sterols
|
Choleth 24
|
0 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
Chromium Hydroxide
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Cocoa Butter
|
4 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Coconut Butter
|
4 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Coconut Oil
|
4 |
1 |
| Botanicals
|
Cold Pressed Aloe Vera
|
0 |
0 |
| Minerals
|
Colloidal Sulfur
|
3 |
4 |
| Natural Oils
|
Corn Oil
|
2 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Cotton Awws Oil
|
3 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Cotton Seed Oil
|
3 |
0-5 |
| Natural Oils
|
Crisco
|
3 |
0 |
| Silicones
|
Cyclomethicone
|
0 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 17
|
3 |
0 |
| Pigment – banned by FDA
|
D & C Red # 19
|
2 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 21
|
3 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 3
|
3 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 30
|
3 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 33
|
1 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 36
|
3 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 4
|
1 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 6
|
1 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 7
|
1 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D & C Red # 9
|
1 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D&C Red #27
|
2 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
D&C Red #40
|
2 |
2 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Decyl Oleate
|
3 |
0 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Deionized Water
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether
|
0 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Diisopropyl Adipate
|
0 |
0 |
| Silicones
|
Dimethicone
|
1 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
|
0 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Dioctyl Succinate
|
3 |
2 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Disodium Monooleamido PEG 2-Sulfosuccinate
|
4 |
2 |
| Waxes
|
Emulsifying |
0-2 |
0-2 |
| Preservatives
|
Ethyl Paraben
|
0 |
0 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
Ethoxylated Lanolin
|
3 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Ethyl Ether
|
0 |
0 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Ethylene Glycol Monostearate
|
0 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
|
4 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Evening Primrose Oil
|
2 |
2 |
| Minerals
|
Flowers of Sulfur
|
0 |
3 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Glycerin
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Glyceryl Stearate NSE
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Glyceryl Stearate SE
|
3 |
2 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Glyceryl Tricapylo/Caprate
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Glyceryl-3-Diisostearate
|
4 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Hexadecyl Alcohol
|
5 |
2 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Hexylene Glycol
|
2 |
1 |
| Preservatives
|
Hydantoin
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
|
1 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
|
3 |
0-1 |
| Natural Oils
|
Hydrolyzed Animal Protein
|
0 |
0 |
| Thickeners & Emulsifiers
|
Hydroxypropylcellulose
|
1 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
Iron Oxide
|
0 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Isocetyl Alcohol
|
4 |
4 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Isocetyl Stearate
|
5 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Isodecyl Oleate
|
4 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Isopropyl Alcohol
|
0 |
4 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Isopropyl Isostearate
|
5 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Isopropyl Linolate
|
5 |
0-3 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Isopropyl Myristate
|
5 |
3 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Isopropyl Palmitate
|
4 |
1 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Isostearyl Isostearate
|
4 |
1 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
|
3 |
3 |
| Waxes
|
Jojoba Oil
|
0-2 |
0-2 |
| Thickeners
|
Kaolin
|
0 |
0 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
Lanolin Alcohol
|
0-2 |
0 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
Lanolin Oil
|
1 |
0 |
| Waxes
|
Lanolin Wax
|
1 |
1 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Laureth 23
|
3 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Laureth 4
|
5 |
4 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Lauric Acid
|
4 |
1 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Lithium Stearate
|
1 |
0 |
| Thickeners
|
Magneseium Aluminum Silicate
|
0 |
0 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Magnesium Stearate
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Menthyl Anthranilate
|
0 |
0 |
| Preservatives
|
Methyl Paraben
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Mineral Oil
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Mink Oil
|
3 |
1 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Myristic Acid
|
3 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Myristyl Lactate
|
4 |
2 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Myristyl Myristate
|
5 |
2 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Octyl Dimethyl PABA
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Octyl Methoxycinnimate
|
0 |
0 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Octyl Palmitate
|
4 |
1 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Octyl Salicylate
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Octyl Stearate
|
5 |
5 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Octyldodecyl Stearate
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Oleth-3
|
5 |
2 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Oleth-10
|
2 |
1 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Oleyl Alcohol
|
4 |
2 |
| Natural Oils
|
Olive Oil
|
2 |
0 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Oxybenzone
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PEG 40 Castor Oil
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PEG 100 Distearate
|
2 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PEG 100 Stearate
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PEG 150 Distearate
|
2 |
0 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
PEG 16 Lanolin
|
4 |
3 |
| Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives
|
PEG 20 Stearate
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PEG 200 Dilaurate
|
3 |
2 |
| Sterols
|
PEG 5 Soya Sterol
|
0 |
0 |
| Sterols
|
PEG 10 Soya Sterol
|
0 |
1 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
PEG 75 Lanolin
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PEG 8 Stearate
|
3 |
1 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PG Caprylate/Caprate
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PG Dipelargonate
|
2 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PG Monostearate
|
3 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
PPG 2 Myristyl Propionate
|
4 |
3 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
PPG 30 Cety Ester
|
0 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Palmitic Acid
|
2 |
0 |
| Vitamins & Herbs
|
Panthenol
|
0 |
0 |
| Proteins & Enzymes
|
Papain
|
0 |
0-3 |
| Natural Oils
|
Peanut Oil
|
2 |
0-2 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Pentarythrital Tetra Capra/Caprylate
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Pentarythrital Tetra Isostearate
|
2 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Petrolatum
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PG Dicaprylate/Caprate
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
PG Dipelargonate
|
2 |
2 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400)
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Polyethylene Glycol 300
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate
|
4 |
0 |
| Alcohol, Ester
|
Polysorbate 20
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohol, Ester
|
Polysorbate 80
|
0 |
0 |
| Minerals
|
Potassium Chloride
|
5 |
0-3 |
| Minerals
|
Precipitated Sulfur
|
0 |
0-2 |
| Preservatives & Additives
|
Propyl Paraben
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Propylene Glycol
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Propylene Glycol Monostearate
|
4 |
0 |
| Botanicals
|
Red Algae
|
5 |
2 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
SD Alcohol 40
|
0 |
5 |
| Natural Oils
|
Safflower Oil
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Sandelwood Seed Oil
|
2 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Sesame Oil
|
2 |
0 |
| Oils
|
Shark Liver Oil
|
3 |
2 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Simethicone
|
1 |
0 |
| Minerals
|
Sodium Chloride (Salt)
|
5 |
0-3 |
| Preservatives & Additives
|
Sodium Hyaluronate
|
0 |
0 |
| Detergents
|
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
|
3 |
2 |
| Detergents
|
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
|
5 |
2 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Sodium PCA
|
0 |
0 |
| Lanolins & Derivatives
|
Solulan 16
|
4 |
3 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Sorbitan Laurate
|
1 |
1 |
| Thickeners & Emulsifiers
|
Sorbitan Oleate
|
3 |
0 |
| Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives
|
Sorbitan Sesquinoleate
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives
|
Sorbitan Stearate
|
0 |
1 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Sorbitol
|
0 |
0 |
| Sterols
|
Soya Sterol
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Soybean Oil
|
3 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Squalane
|
1 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Steareth 10
|
4 |
3 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Steareth 100
|
0 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Steareth 2
|
2 |
2 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Steareth 20
|
2 |
1 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Stearic Acid
|
2 |
0 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Stearic Acid Tea
|
3 |
2 |
| Alcohols Sugars & Derivatives
|
Stearyl Alcohol
|
2 |
2 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Stearyl Heptanoate
|
4 |
0 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Sterol Esters
|
0 |
0 |
| Natural Oils
|
Sulfated Castor Oil
|
3 |
2 |
| Waxes
|
Sulfated Jojoba Oil
|
3 |
2 |
| Natural Oils
|
Sunflower Oil
|
0 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Syearyl Heptanoate
|
4 |
0 |
| Minerals
|
Talc
|
1 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
Titanium Dioxide
|
0 |
0 |
| Vitamins & Herbs
|
Tocopheryl Acetate
|
0 |
0 |
| Fatty Acids & Derivatives
|
Tridectyl Neopentanoate
|
0 |
3 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Triethanolamine
|
2 |
0 |
| Pigments
|
Ultramarine Violet
|
0 |
0 |
| Vitamins & Herbs
|
Vitamin A Palmitate
|
2 |
1 |
| Alcohols, Esters, Ethers & Sugars
|
Wheat Germ Glyceride
|
3 |
2 |
| Natural Oils
|
Wheat Germ Oil
|
5 |
2 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Xylene
|
4 |
3 |
| Astringent
|
Zinc Oxide
|
1 |
0 |
| Minerals
|
Zinc Stearate
|
0 |
0 |
Here is a helpful video where you can learn more about Mohs skin cancer surgery.
Sunscreen Made Simple Choosing the right sunscreen can be quite difficult with all the choices out there. We use sunscreen to block ultraviolet light from damaging the skin. There are two categories of UV light — UVA and UVB. UVA is responsible for aging the skin, while UVB are the rays that burn the skin. […]
It seems like the mosquito’s were hungry this year… at least whenever I was outside. So I started doing some research about how to prevent mosquito bites, and reduce the number of insects in the yard. If you have tried to research this yourself, you will find lots of discussion related to bats and bat […]
Dr. Jeffrey Ellis interviewed in Newsday - Whats In Your Makeup
There are many treatments available for patients with psoriasis. One option that we offer our patients with psoriasis affecting a significant portion of their skin is phototherapy. What Is Phototherapy? Present in natural sunlight, UVB light is an effective treatment for psoriasis. The UV energy penetrates the skin and helps the psoriasis to clear. In our […]
Treating eyelid cancer often requires coordinated care between a Mohs surgeon and an ophtlamic plastic and reconstructive specialist. Working side by side, Drs. Jeffrey Ellis & Rachel Ellis specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and reconstruction of eyelid skin cancers.
Photo from left to right: Assemblyman Dave McDonough, R-Merrick, CCMAC co-founder and Executive Director Colette Coyne, Dr. Steve McClain, Eli McClain, Dr. Amy Slear, Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, & State Sen. Charles Fuschillo, R- Merrick State Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo,, R-Merrick, and the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign (CCMAC) partnered to sponsor a free skin cancer […]
We wanted to thank CCMAC and New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. for putting together the wonderful skin cancer screening event at Tanner Park this past week. In total, 151 visitors received a free skin cancer screening. 1 out of every 3 were referred to a dermatologist for a suspicious lesion; 4 of which […]
Lifeguards are always watching after us – but this weekend a group of Long Island Dermatologists had an opportunity to help look after them. The NY State Lifeguards were certifying for the season at Nassau Community College, and physicians including Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, Erin Schoor, Peter O’Neill, Pam Basuk, Peter Reisfeld, and Steve Mc Clain […]