EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER
GUIDE TO INGREDIENTS TO AVOID

The Seal of Acceptance may be awarded to products that do not contain ingredients known to irritate eczema or sensitive skin. The following list of irritants is presented as a guide only, as there are other ingredients categories such as vehicle components, surfactants, chemical sun blocks and natural ingredients that require specific review. Formula concentration levels are also considered in the evaluation. The Seal of Acceptance Review Panel may require additional data to determine suitability.

Preservatives:

• Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
• Methylisothiazolinone (MI)
• benzoic acid
• sorbic acid
• lactic acid
• formaldehyde
• methyldibromo glutaronitrile

Formaldehyde releasers:

• quaternium-15
• 2 bromo 1-3 nitropropane diol
• diazolidinyl urea
• imidazolidinyl urea
• DMDM hydantoin

Penetrants:

• low-molecular weight glycols
  (in high concentration levels)
• hydroxyl acids retinoids

Degreasing agents:

• Cocamidopropyl betaine

Abrasives:

• benzoyl perioxide
• urea
• mica
• silica
• bismuth oxychloride
• polyethylene beads

Volatile Solvents:

• ethanol
• volatile propellants

Fragrance:

• colognes
• herb extracts
• masking fragrance
• perfume

Dyes:

• D and C yellow #11
• F, D and C blue #1
• F, D and C yellow #5 (tartrazine)