Rizos Definidos Shampoo — ingredient safety report

• Cancer concern:Slowly releases formaldehyde, an IARC Group 1 carcinogen.
• Allergy risk:Frequent cause of preservative contact dermatitis.

A formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in creams, shampoos and wipes. The slow formaldehyde release preserves the product but exposes skin to a known carcinogen and allergen.

• Allergy risk:Fragrance is the single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy.
• Irritation:Frequent trigger of stinging and redness on reactive skin.

An umbrella term that can hide dozens of undisclosed scent chemicals. Fragrance is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics, and dermatologists routinely advise fragrance-free products for eczema, babies and sensitive skin.

• Allergy risk:Potent sensitizer, typically blended with MIT (Kathon CG).
• Irritation:Corrosive in concentrate; irritating at use levels.

The chlorinated partner of MIT, restricted in the EU to rinse-off products only. A leading cause of preservative contact dermatitis worldwide.

• Allergy risk:Caused an epidemic of contact allergy; banned in EU leave-on products.
• Irritation:Irritating even in people without allergy.

A preservative behind one of the largest contact-allergy epidemics in cosmetic history. The EU banned it from leave-on products and restricts it in rinse-off products to 15 ppm.

• Irritation:Milder than SLS but still drying for compromised skin.

The gentler cousin of SLS used in most mainstream shampoos and washes. Its manufacturing can leave trace 1,4-dioxane, which reputable makers strip out — an issue of quality control rather than the ingredient itself.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidation products are potent sensitizers.

The citrus-peel scent molecule. Like linalool, it becomes allergenic mainly after oxidizing in opened products.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable allergen; oxidized linalool is a common patch-test positive.

A floral scent molecule found in lavender and many essential oils. It oxidizes on air exposure into strongly sensitizing compounds, which is why it must be declared on EU labels.

• Allergy risk:Named Allergen of the Year 2004; impurities (amidoamine) drive most reactions.

A mild coconut-derived surfactant in countless 'gentle' cleansers. Most allergy is caused by manufacturing impurities, so quality varies by brand.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable fragrance allergen.

A fragrance solvent and fixative that must be declared on EU labels as a potential allergen.

• Allergy risk:EU-declarable fragrance allergen.

A common jasmine-scented ingredient in fine fragrance and skincare, declared as an allergen on EU labels.

• Pore-clogging:Cosmetic grade is minimally comedogenic despite its reputation.

Highly refined mineral oil is an inert, non-sensitizing emollient. Its bad reputation comes from industrial-grade oils that are never permitted in cosmetics.

• Cancer concern:IARC 2B by inhalation only — relevant to loose powders and sprays, not creams.

A mineral UV filter and pigment that is one of the safest sunscreen choices in cream form; the inhalation-based cancer classification only matters for powder and spray formats.

• Environmental impact:Poorly biodegradable; can remobilize heavy metals in waterways.

A metal-binding stabilizer that is safe on skin at the tiny amounts used; its criticism is environmental persistence.

• Environmental impact:Persistent silicone, like dimethicone.

A silicone gum for silky slip; skin-inert with the family's usual environmental-persistence criticism.

• Environmental impact:Skin-safe; the ingredient's controversy is ethical (mining labor), not toxicological.

The shimmer mineral in highlighters and glowy creams; safe on skin, with sourcing ethics being its real controversy.