According to Livestrong.com, when choosing make up and skin care products, here are six ingredients that we should avoid:

1. Oxybenzone
Look for It in: Sunscreens, moisturizers, lip gloss.
Why Avoid It: It’s a potential hormone disruptor.
Here is a list of safer sunscreens WITHOUT oxybenzone.

2. Phthalates
Look for It in: Soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, nail polish (avoid polish containing dibutyl phthalate), products containing “fragrance.”
Why Avoid It: According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Some types of phthalates have affected the reproductive system of laboratory animals.” CDC researchers found measurable levels of many phthalate metabolites in the urine of the general U.S. population.

The EWG writes, “A growing number of studies indicate that this chemical family damages the male reproductive system.” EWG advises that pregnant women should avoid nail polish containing dibutyl phthalate , and that everyone should avoid products with "fragrance" indicating a chemical mixture that may contain phthalates.

3. Petroleum distillates
Look for It in: Mascaras. Here are some mascaras containing petroleum distillates.
Why Avoid It: According to the EWG, these petroleum-extracted ingredients may cause contact dermatitis and are often contaminated with cancer-causing impurities. They are produced in oil refineries at the same time as automobile fuel, heating oil and chemical feedstocks.

4. Formaldehyde
Look for It in: Nail polish, eyelash adhesive, hair dyes and keratin hair straightening formulas.
Why Avoid It: In 2004, formaldehyde was declared to be a carcinogen to humans by the International Agency on Research on Cancer (IARC). According to EWG, formaldehyde (also an asthmagen, neurotoxicant and developmental toxicant) was once mixed into many personal care products as antiseptic. This use has declined, but some hair straighteners (and keratin treatments) are based on formaldehyde's hair-stiffening action and release substantial amounts of the chemical.

5. Toluene
Look for It in: Nail polish.
Why Avoid It: Toluene is used to help nail polish glide on more smoothly, but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Chronic inhalation exposure of humans to toluene causes irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes, sore throat, dizziness, and headache. Human studies have reported developmental effects, such as CNS dysfunction, attention deficits, and minor craniofacial and limb anomalies, in the children of pregnant women exposed to high levels of toluene or mixed solvents by inhalation.”

6. Fragrance
Look for It in: All products
Why Avoid It: According to The Breast Cancer Fund, synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 100 ingredients --including hormone-disrupting phthalates, synthetic musks, and ethylene oxide. ”Fragrance” is usually a chemical cocktail, often containing individual chemicals associated with allergic reactions and hormone disruption. Some fragrance chemicals have not been assessed for safety. Until all fragrance ingredients are disclosed on the label, consumers cannot know what is in a particular fragrance.