Some ingredients to consider:
Talc: ( Talcum Powder) Also known as hydrous magnesium silicate, talc is used as a filler to absorb moisture.
Why is it bad?
Although it no longer contains asbestos it still contains minute fibres that can take years to dissolve. Studies have linked it with ovarian cancer. However, although the talc was has been known to be absorbed through the skin into the ovaries there is no evidence that it in fact caused cancer.
Mineral Oil: A mineral oil is a distillate of petroleum and is any of various colorless, odorless, light mixtures of higher alkanes from a non-vegetable (mineral) source. e.g Vaseline.
Why is it bad? Mineral oil seals the skin like a plastic wrap, thereby disrupting the skin’s natural ability to breathe and absorb moisture. This can result in premature ageing of the skin and many other skin disorders. There is also strong evidence that mineral oil affects the human immune system and is a respiratory toxicant and allergen. On the other hand studies have found mineral oil and petrolatum (a semi-solid form of mineral oil more commonly known as Vaseline) can assist in wound healing, and are among the most effective moisturizing ingredients available.
Preservatives: DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quarternium-15 and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.
Why are they bad? Preservatives are required for liquid products. All these preservatives slowly and continuously release small amounts of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen and causes cancer. Also watch for Thimerosol, a mercury-containing preservative. High levels of mercury can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation and adverse effects on the human nervous system. Studies have also shown that it can affect the reproduction system. By choosing mineral makeup or powder products the need for preservatives is eliminated