Common skin irritants

Dyes

Dyes are used to tint skin products to disguise the undesirable color of an ingredient, are added to more closely match skin colors, or to tint the product for consumer appeal. Examples of possible irritating dyes are:

• D&C Yellow #11
• FD&C Blue #1
• FD&C Yellow #5 (also known as tartrazine)

Fragrance
Fragrance adds to consumer appeal and may be used to cover up undesirable odors for some ingredients. Examples of fragrances are:

• Benzaldehyde
• Cologne
• Herbal Extracts
• Masking Fragrance
• Perfume
• Plant, fruit, flower, seed & nut oils

Formaldehyde Releasers
Formaldehyde releasers preserve a product against bacterial, mold and fungus contamination. Unfortunately, formaldehyde also causes irritation and allergic problems for some people. Examples of formaldehyde releasers:

• Bronopol
• Diazolidinyl Urea
• DMDM Hydantion
• Imidazolidinyl Urea
• MDM Hydantion
• Quaternium 15

Parabens
Parabens are preservatives that guard against mold, fungus, or bacteria growth. Examples of parabens are:

• Benzylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Methylparaben
• Propylparaben