The Aisle Cheat Sheet

GROUNDWELL

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Screenshot it. Check it in the aisle.

“Natural.” “Clean.” “Green.” Front-of-label words that aren’t defined on cosmetic labels.

Flip it over. Look for these 5.

Same thing, two names

One word can hide a whole blend of ingredients.

Swap: Fragrance-free.

Also: MI, MCI, isothiazolinone

A common skin allergen (2013 “Allergen of the Year”).

Swap: Powder or sheet laundry detergent; bar soap.

Benzalkonium chloride, or any name ending in “ammonium chloride”

Found in disinfectant sprays, wipes, fabric softener. Linked to asthma.

Swap: Soap and water for everyday cleaning.

DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, diazolidinyl or imidazolidinyl urea, bronopol

Found in shampoo, lotion, liquid soap. A known cause of skin allergy.

Swap: Bar soap and products without these names.

Also: sodium hypochlorite

In glass and bathroom cleaners. Irritates eyes, skin, lungs. Never mix.

Swap: Vinegar + water on glass; fragrance-free sprays.

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