The 5 Ps to Avoid in Skincare: Toxins Hiding in Your cosmetics
- Jess Steinway
- Apr 24
- 4 min read
Updated: May 4
Although there’s an endless list of toxic ingredients in skincare, five of the most harmful begin with the letter P—and they’re shockingly common. These “5 Ps” are found in everything from moisturizers and cleansers to baby wipes and deodorants.
If you’re striving for a clean, non-toxic lifestyle, understanding these ingredients is crucial. Let’s break down what they are, why they’re used, and the alarming research behind each one.
1. Parfum / Fragrance
Also labeled as: “Fragrance,” “Parfum,” “Perfume,” “Natural Fragrance,” “Aroma”
What it is:
An umbrella term for over 3,000 undisclosed chemicals.
Why it’s used:
Added to products for a pleasant scent. Found in lotions, soaps, perfumes, deodorants, baby products—even those labeled “natural.”
The research:
Thanks to a loophole in the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966, companies aren’t required to disclose fragrance components to protect “trade secrets.” This means harmful chemicals are hidden behind a single word: fragrance.
The International Fragrance Association lists over 2,000 fragrance chemicals—many are known carcinogens or hormone disruptors.
A 2018 report by the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners revealed that products containing “fragrance” often included chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, and hormone disruption.
Fragrance exposure has been linked to early puberty. The average age of puberty in girls dropped from 14.6 years in 1920 to just 10.5 years by 2010.
The average woman is exposed to 168 chemicals daily through personal care alone. Chronic conditions like PCOS and endometriosis are on the rise, and UK data shows the rate of PCOS almost doubled between 2004 and 2019.
Men aren’t immune—exposure to 85 chemicals daily through grooming products has been linked to plummeting sperm counts, which dropped 52% globally between 1973 and 2018. If trends continue, sperm count could reach zero by 2045 (according to Count Down by Shanna Swan).
2. Parabens
Also labeled as: Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben
What it is:
Synthetic preservatives used to prevent bacteria and mold in skincare and cosmetics.
Why it’s used:
Extends product shelf life. Common in moisturizers, shampoos, deodorants, and makeup.
The research:
Parabens are endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen and interfere with hormone function.
Linked to increased HER2 gene expression (present in 25% of breast cancer cases)
Reduce apoptosis, allowing damaged cells to survive and potentially turn cancerous
May decrease effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs
Long-term exposure may cause fertility issues, hormonal imbalance, and preterm birth
3. PEGs & PPGs
Also labeled as: PEG-100, PEG-40, PEG with numbers or names; PPG-3, PPG-12, PPG-20, etc.
What it is:
Petroleum-based compounds used for softening, thickening, and moisturizing in cosmetics.
Why it’s used:
PEGs act as emulsifiers and help products absorb better.
PPGs improve texture and spreadability in lotions, creams, and hair products.
The research:
PEGs and PPGs are produced through ethoxylation, a chemical process that can introduce:
1,4-Dioxane: A probable carcinogen linked to liver and kidney damage
Ethylene Oxide: A known human carcinogen
These byproducts are not required to be listed on labels
PPGs can increase skin absorption of other harmful ingredients
Even if PEGs/PPGs themselves aren’t directly carcinogenic, the contamination risk is high, especially with daily exposure.
4. Phthalates
Also labeled as: DEP (Diethyl Phthalate), DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), DEHP (Di-2-ethylhexyl Phthalate); also hidden under “fragrance”
What it is:
Synthetic chemicals used to make plastics flexible and prolong fragrance life in skincare.
Why it’s used:
Makes fragrance last longer on the skin
Enhances product texture
Acts as a solvent and plasticizer
The research:
Phthalates are endocrine disruptors with serious reproductive and developmental effects.
Linked to reduced sperm count, infertility, and miscarriage
Associated with birth defects and hormone-related cancers
A 2021 study estimated that phthalate exposure contributes to 100,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S.
CDC data shows nearly all Americans have detectable levels of phthalates—highest in women of childbearing age
Although banned in cosmetics in the EU, phthalates are still legal and widely used in the U.S.
5. Phenoxyethanol
Also labeled as: Phenoxyethanol
What it is:
A synthetic preservative used as a “safer” alternative to parabens—but it’s not without risks.
Why it’s used:
Prevents microbial growth in water-based products and extends shelf life.
The research:
Like PEGs, phenoxyethanol is created via ethoxylation, introducing contamination risks:
May contain ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane
Linked to skin, eye, and lung irritation
Infants are especially vulnerable—FDA has issued warnings after reports of nervous system effects
Toxic to kidneys and liver in high doses or with repeated exposure
Regulated in the EU and Japan, but no federal limits exist in the U.S.
Final Thoughts: Say NO to the 5 Ps
Parfum, Parabens, PEGs, PPGs, and Phenoxyethanol might sound harmless—but the science says otherwise. They’re linked to everything from hormone disruption to cancer, infertility, and developmental issues. And yet, they’re still hiding in products we use on ourselves, our babies, and our homes.
At Terra All Naturals, we say NO to all of them.
No loopholes. No greenwashing. Just honest, safe skincare you can trust.
Because clean beauty should never come with a warning label.
Ready to detox your skincare routine?
Explore our handmade, tallow-based products—always free from the 5 Ps and made with your whole family in mind.
Need help checking your labels?
Grab our free printable guide: The 5 Ps to Avoid in Skincare, perfect for your bathroom cabinet or next trip down the skincare aisle.
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