| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
| Name | Information |
| B | |
| Balm Mint Extract | A fragrant herb with soothing properties |
| Balsam Peru, benzyl cinnamate | As an antiseptic used in face masks, perfumes and cream hair rinses. A common sensitiser, may cause contact dermatitis and may cross-react with many substances including benzoin, benzyl alcohol, essential oils and wood tars. Compound descriptor: Natural Product, Primary Irritant |
| Barium sulphate | A depilatory agent used in depilatories, cosmetics. Often causes skin irritation, poisonous if ingested. Compound descriptor : Tumorigenic, Drug, Mutagen |
| Barium sulphide | An opacifier, depilating agent used in depilatories, hair relaxers, cosmetics. May cause skin rashes, chemical burns, never apply to inflamed skin, poisonous if ingested. Toxic effects: Peripheral Nerve and Sensation - flaccid paralysis without anaesthesia (usually neuromuscular blockage), Behavioural - muscle weakness, Lungs, Thorax, or Respiration - dyspnea |
| Base Notes | The infusion of fragrance with your personal body chemistry. |
| Bath Gels | A perfumed foaming product used in the bath for its soothing, cleansing and emollient qualities. |
| Bath Oils | A perfumed liquid, usually containing mineral or vegetable oil, designed to moisturize the skin in the bath. Can be foaming or non-foaming. |
| Bath Powder | Scented loose powder applied to the body with a powder puff after bathing. |
| Bath Salts | Rock salts used in the bath to colour, scent and, or chemically treat the water. |
| Bee Pollen | A natural substance that is prominent in pantothenic acid. European research suggests it may be beneficial in fighting the effects of radiation exposure. It is not, however, particularly valuable as a topical. |
| Beeswax | Waxy component in many skin care products, confectionary, soft drinks, chewing gum. Provides moisture as well as a barrier mechanism. Allows for oil and water blending (emulsion). Can cause mild allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. |
| Behentrimonium chloride | A preservative. See Quaternary Ammonium compounds. |
| Benzyl cinnamate, Balsam Peru | used in face masks, perfumes and cream hair rinses. A common sensitiser, may cause contact dermatitis and may cross-react with many substances including benzoin, benzyl alcohol, essential oils and wood tars. |
| Bentonite | Clay that is an effective skin clarifier used in facial masks, makeup, colourant in wine. It takes its name from Fort Benton where bentonite deposits are found. Inert and generally non-toxic, may clog skin pores inhibiting proper skin function, venous injection causes blood clots and possibly tumours. |
| Benzaldehyde | A solvent, flavouring found in perfume, cologne, hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, vaseline lotion, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent, sweets, cordials, ice cream, cigarettes. Narcotic. Sensitiser. Local anaesthetic, central nervous system depressant. Irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain. May cause kidney damage. Do not use with contact lenses. |
| Benzalkonium Chloride |
A preservative, detergent used in shampoos, hair
conditioner, mouth washes, eye lotions, antiseptic and detergent in
medical use. Highly toxic, primary skin irritant. See Cationic surfactants From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Material is highly toxic via oral route. Effects of overexposure: Mists can cause
irritation to the skin, eye, nose, throat and mucous membranes. Avoid
direct contact. |
| Benzene | It is a known bone-marrow poison, yet is widely used and combined with other chemicals in many personal care products. A solvent used in nail polish removers, detergents, nylon, artificial leather, varnish, lacquers, oven cleaner, paint. Causes adverse reactions, is carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic. |
| Benzethonium chloride | A preservative, antistatic agent used in cosmetics, feminine hygiene products. Possibly has endocrine toxicity, skin irritation, toxic to aquatic organisms. See Quaternary ammonium compounds. Compound descriptor: Agricultural Chemical, Tumorigenic, Drug, Mutagen, Primary Irritant |
| Benzin | A solvent, coating used on fruit and vegetables. Chronic exposure can cause dizziness, headaches, loss of appetite. Compound descriptor: Agricultural Chemical, Tumorigenic, Primary Irritant |
| Benzophenones - 15 or more exist | A flavouring, fixative, UV absorber used in hair sprays, soaps, sunscreen, perfume, flavourings. May cause hives, photoallergic reactions, contact sensitivity, toxic when injected, on NI hazards list. Compound descriptor: Tumorigenic, Mutagen. |
| Benzoyl Peroxide | A bleaching and drying agent, antibacterial agent kills p. acnes, the germ responsible for acne flares. Can be drying and/or irritating. Corrosive. Some reports of benzoyl peroxide skin allergies. Available in both prescription and over the counter forms ranging from 2 ½ -10%. Also found in artificial nail kits. Compound descriptor: Tumorigenic, Mutagen, Primary Irritant |
| Benzyl Acetate |
A flavouring, solvent used in perfume formulations,
soaps, ice cream, baked gods, chewing gum, cellulose nitrate and cellulose
acetate. Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer). From vapours:
irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough. In mice:
hyperaemia of the lungs. Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic
effects. Do not flush to sewer. On NIH hazards list.
MSDS: |
| Benzyl alcohol |
A solvent, preservative, denaturant used in
perfumes, hair dyes, shampoos, nail varnish, fruit flavourings, fabric softener,
cigarettes. The use of benzyl alcohol in neonates has been associated with a high level of morbidity and mortality. Benzyl alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative in injectable products.
On NIH hazards list. Summary toxicity to humans, including carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and acute toxicity. MSDS: |
| Benzyl carbinol | A preservative found in most rose perfume, cosmetics, synthetic fruit flavouring. Causes eye irritation, toxic if ingested, sensitiser, birth defects in rats, CNS injury in mice. Compound descriptor: Mutagen, Reproductive Effector, Primary Irritant |
| Benzyl Cinnamate | A UV absorber, additive in cosmetics, perfumes, cigarettes, pesticides. Can cause a stinging sensation in some people. On NIH hazards list. Compound descriptor: Natural Product, Primary Irritant |
| Benzylhemiformal | A preservative used in cosmetics. Prolonged skin contact may be harmful. |
| Benzyl salicylate | A UV absorber used in sunscreens, perfumes, cigarettes. Can cause skin rash and swelling on exposure to sunlight. |
| Betaglucans | A thickener used in facial powders, skin conditioners. No known adverse affects. May have beneficial effects. |
| Beta-naphthol | A solvent used in hair tonics, hair dyes, skin peels, perfumes. Can cause kidney damage, eye injury, convulsions, anaemia and death from ingestion, skin damage, contact dermatitis. Compound descriptor: Drug, Mutagen, Primary Irritant |
| Beta Hydroxy Acid - BHA | An exfoliant used in exfoliant creams, skin peels, skin masks, moisturisers, acne therapy. Can cause photosensitivity, skin reactions if skin is dry or sensitive, changes skin pH, not to be used on children. New term for salicylic acid. |
| BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) |
Synthetic antioxidants used as preservatives. Known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Animal studies showed BHA & BHT to cause metabolic stress, depression of growth rate, loss of weight, damage to the liver, baldness & foetal abnormalities. Dr Benjamin Feingold claims BHA & BHT are causes of hyperactivity and behavioural disturbances in children. Whilst difficult to substantiate, observations have shown that avoidance of BHA & BHT has significantly improved children's conditions. BHA & BHT both act as a synthetic oestrogen or xeno-oestrogen. Causes allergic contact dermatitis. Is a skin & eye irritant and slowly corrodes metals. Up to 13% of the BHT is absorbed through the skin |
| Biochemistry | The learning of the chemical compounds workings that occur in living plants and animals. |
| Biotin | A texturiser, moisturiser found in cosmetic creams, hair conditioner. It is one of the B vitamins that assists in dermatitis and hair loss. |
| Bismuth compounds | Used in bleaching and freckle creams, nail polish, hair dyes. Toxic effects include memory loss, convulsions, confusion, intellectual impairment, kidney and cardiovascular toxicity. |
| Bisphenol A | A hardener used in nail polish, cosmetics, some plastic storage containers for food and cosmetics. Neurological diseases, learning difficulties, birth defects in mice, endocrine disruption, persists in the environment. Compound descriptor: Tumorigenic, Mutagen, Reproductive Effector, Primary Irritant |
| Blackhead | The plug of a clogged oil gland (pore) exposed to the surface of the skin with a black tip. Easily visible. |
| Blend | A thorough mixture of two or more substances so that neither is distinguishable from the other. In makeup application, shading. |
| Blue 1 | Coal tar dye. Overt Carcinogen |
| Body Lotion | A non-oily product applied to the skin to moisturize, soothe and scent. Can be stored in a tube or bottle. |
| Borates | This common term refers to salts describable to boric oxide or orthoboric acid. |
| Borax | An emulsifier, texturiser in cold cream, shaving cream, water softener, insecticide. Chronic exposure can cause red peeling skin, seizures, kidney failure, harmful to aquatic animals. Compound descriptor: Agricultural Chemical, Mutagen, Reproductive Effector. Lowest published lethal dose of human infant at 1 gm/kg, man at 709 mg/kg |
| Boric Acid | Also known as acidum boricum. Found in baby powder, bath powder, eye cream, mouthwash, soap. Used widely as an eyewash. Odourless, white crystalline powder. It can be used around windows and doors as a bug repellent or fungus control on citrus fruit. Should not be used in baby cosmetics or baby powder. It is poisonous at doses 1-3g for babies, 5g for children, and 15-20g for adults. Causes gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, reproductive, blood and neurotoxicity, severe poisoning has occurred after ingestion and application to abraded skin. |
| Botanical | Any substance acquired from plants which has medicinal or similar uses. |
| Brewers Yeast | Rich in vitamins and proteins, this proven moisturizer helps keep skin soft and supple. |
| Bromates | A maturing agent in permanent wave neutraliser, bread making. Can cause respiratory depression, skin eruptions, kidney dysfunction and failure, effects the central nervous system. Compound descriptor: Tumorigenic. |
| Bromochlorophene | A preservative in cosmetics. Acutely toxic when ingested. |
| Bronopol, BNDP 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol |
Toxic alcohol, preservative. It is used in fabric softeners, detergents, shampoo, mascara, eye makeup, liquid hand wash, nail polish, face creams, hair dressings and bath oils. It is a white crystalline powder that can cause eye and skin irritation at concentrations of .25%. Nitrosamine Precursor. Formaldehyde Releaser. |
| Bronidox L 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane |
A preservative found in shampoo, mascara, eye makeup, liquid hand wash. Skin and eye irritation, can release formaldehyde, can form nitrosamines. |
| Butane | A propellant used in aerosol cosmetics, refrigerant. Natural inert gas. Acceptable daily intake (ADI): None determined. Side effects: None known by use in foods (943a). |
| Butyl Acetate | A toxic solvent, flavouring used in perfume, nail polish remover, eye shadow, soap, synthetic flavouring, cigarettes. Toxic, can cause skin and eye irritations, conjunctivitis, irritation of the respiratory tract. Compound descriptor: Reproductive Effector, Primary Irritant. |
| Butyl alcohol | A solvent, clarifier in shampoos, nail products, synthetic flavouring, waxes, shellac, resin, cigarettes. Compound descriptor: Mutagen, Reproductive Effector, Primary Irritant |
| Butylated hydroxanisole | A preservative found in cosmetics, foods (320). |
| Butylated hydroxytoluene | A preservative, antioxidant found in lipsticks, eyeliner, baby oils and lotions, foods (321). Compound descriptor: Tumorigenic, Mutagen, Reproductive Effector, Primary Irritant |
| Butylene glycol | A humectant, solvent in hairsprays, setting lotions. Not on the GRAS list of the US FDA, ingestion may cause renal damage, vomiting, drowsiness, depression, kidney damage, coma, death. |
| Butyl myristate | An emollient in lipstick, face cream, nail polish, nail polish remover. Eye and skin irritant, can promote acne. |
| Butylparaben | A preservative found in cosmetics and shampoo. Allergic reactions, skin irritations. See Paraben's. |
| Butyrolactone | A solvent in nail polish and polish remover, cosmetics, making Polyvinylpyrrolidone. Toxic, possible human carcinogen, on NIH hazard list. Compound descriptor: Tumorigenic, Drug, Mutagen, Reproductive Effector |
| Butyl Stearate | An artificial chemical found in face creams and other facial care products. Compound descriptor: Reproductive Effector, Primary Irritant |
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