For more on EDCs and their links to breast cancer, visit:

are known to, or suspected of being able to,

www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/ditchthejunk
hormone system. Some of these chemicals
which disrupt or interfere with the human
endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs,
A number of cosmetics and personal care

mimic the female hormone, oestrogen.

products contain chemicals known as

High levels of oestrogens in the body

Choose cosmetics

are associated with an increased

free from harmful chemicals
chemicals (EDCs)

risk of breast cancer.

disrupting
Endocrine

Keep it simple
Try to use fewer cosmetic products, and use them less Your guide to safer cosmetics
often. Always try and opt for un-fragranced products.

Do your research
Check ingredients lists before you buy and choose
products which don’t contain chemicals of concern.
There are many products available which do not
contain harmful chemicals and plenty of natural
beauty blogs and helpful tips online.

Make your own

You can make your own cosmetics using readily
available natural ingredients such as coconut oil,
lemon, olive oil and oats. To get started, look on
Pinterest.com for recipes and guides. Make it fun, get
your friends round and have a natural beauty night.

Visit our website

For more information about safer cosmetics and
toiletries, and how you can support our campaign,
visit our website at:
www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/ditchthejunk
and more synthetic chemicals have been
In our relentless pursuit of beauty, more

toiletries. Many of those chemicals have

DISCLAIMER: This work in no way claims to be a

leaflet lists some of the most hazardous

comprehensive treatment of the subject of all chemicals

employed in everyday cosmetics and

chemicals to help you identify which

effects including breast cancer. This

associated with breast cancers. Breast Cancer UK has used all

now been linked to adverse health

products to avoid and reduce your

reasonable endeavours to ensure that the content of this leaflet

is correct at the time of publishing, but no warranty is given
to that effect nor any liability accepted for any loss or damage
Be a natural beauty

arising from the use of this leaflet.

Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks
Design: whatcommunications.com May 2016

Breast Cancer UK works to tackle the environmental

and chemical causes of breast cancer.
risk of exposure.

Breast Cancer UK info@breastcanceruk.org.uk

BM Box 7767 @BreastCancer_UK
London WC1N 3XX breastcanceruk
Tel: 0845 680 1322 www.breastcanceruk.org.uk

Breast Cancer UK Reg. Charity no: 1138866 | Reg. Company no. 7348408
 Choose cosmetics which are
free from harmful chemicals

To reduce your risk of exposure to chemicals that may be

linked to breast cancer, try to avoid products containing the
chemicals shown here. Natural cosmetics, free from harmful
substances, are readily available, or you can make your own.
For more information visit: www.breastcanceruk.org.uk
Hair dye
Watch out for:
Toothpaste Hair spray x Hydroquinone
Watch out for: Watch out for:
x Triclosan x Diethyl
Makeup phthalate
Watch out for:
SYNTHETIC MUSKS –
x Galaxolide
(HHBC) Shampoo
x Tonalide and bodywash
(AHTN) Watch out for:
PARABENS – SILOXANES –
x Methylparaben Fragrance x Octamethyl-
x Ethylparaben Watch out for: Lipstick cyclotetrasiloxane
x Propylparaben x Diethyl Watch out for: ETHANOLAMINES –
x Butylparaben phthalate x Butylated x Triethanolamine
ETHANOLAMINES – SYNTHETIC MUSKS – hydroxytoluene (TEA)
x Triethanolamine x Galaxolide (BHT) x Monoethanolamine
(TEA) (HHBC) (MEA)
x Monoethanolamine x Tonalide
(MEA) (AHTN)
x Musk ketone

Creams
and moisturisers
To find Watch out for:
alternatives, x Butylated
search online hydroxytoluene Nail polish
for ‘natural’ Deodorant and (BHT) Watch out for:
or ‘organic’ anti-perspirant x Formaldehyde x Diethyl phthalate
cosmetics. Watch out for: PARABENS – x Hydroquinone
x Triclosan x Methylparaben x Formaldehyde
x Aluminium salts x Ethylparaben
x Propylparaben
x Butylparaben
The SILOXANES –
x Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
bad guys: ETHANOLAMINES –
Known endocrine-disrupting x Triethanolamine (TEA)
chemicals or carcinogens which x Monoethanolamine (MEA)
may be linked to breast cancer UV FILTERS –
See Pinterest.com x Benzophenone
x Parabens Soap for ‘cosmetics x Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
x Phthalates Watch out for: recipes’ x Octinoxate
x Triclosan x Triclosan
x Synthetic musks ETHANOLAMINES –
x Formaldehyde x Triethanolamine (TEA)
x Monoethanolamine (MEA)
Breast Cancer UK Reg. Charity no: 1138866 | Reg. Company no. 7348408