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March 24, 2026
Chemicals aren’t as bad as we’ve been told — and natural cosmetics aren’t always as good as they seem. If you’ve been wondering about the most controversial beauty ingredients, here are the answers.
Negative marketing has taken deep root in the beauty world. Aluminum causes cancer, parabens are dangerous, sulfates damage our skin and hair… Just scroll through TikTok or Instagram and you’ll see countless influencers comparing “clean” or organic cosmetics to products supposedly filled with harmful chemicals.
But the truth is that chemical-free cosmetics simply do not exist. Literally everything around us — everything that exists — is made up of chemical compounds.
In our desire to stay healthy and give ourselves the very best, we have become obsessed with labels such as non-toxic, organic, and natural to the point where we often stop thinking critically. Somewhere along the way, “natural” became synonymous with safe and healthy, while anything containing chemicals became something dirty and best avoided.
The reality lies somewhere in between: not all chemicals are harmful, and natural cosmetics are not always better. So how can we know what to believe? Scientific research has always been the gold standard — and it still is today. That’s why we turned to scientific evidence to debunk the myths surrounding some of the most controversial cosmetic ingredients of our time.
Parabens have also gained a bad reputation in the beauty industry. We all “know” they’re bad — but what do we actually know about them? Simply put, parabens are preservatives used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in face creams, serums, and shampoos we use every day. Yet our feeds are full of alarming claims about their dangers. So where is the truth?
It is true that parabens can interact with the endocrine system and may influence estrogen activity. However, comprehensive studies have shown that the parabens most commonly used in cosmetics are simply not strong enough to affect human hormones. To further support these findings, regulatory agencies around the world — including the FDA, the European Commission, and Health Canada — have deemed parabens safe when used in low and strictly regulated concentrations.
So why have some brands removed them from their formulas? Not because of science, but because of consumer pressure. “Paraben-free” labels simply sell more products.
The global market for organic and aluminum-free deodorants is projected to reach $316 million by 2030 — largely because aluminum has been cast as the villain. Despite widespread beliefs that aluminum antiperspirants may be carcinogenic, research has not found a convincing link between aluminum and diseases such as breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease.
Aluminum compounds are generally considered safe for cosmetic use because systemic absorption through intact skin is minimal.
Sulfates are among the most commonly used ingredients in cosmetics, particularly in body washes and shampoos, because they are extremely effective cleansers. More than 60 approved sulfates are used in cosmetics, with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) being the most common.
The downside? They can sometimes cleanse too aggressively, especially for curly, color-treated, or dry hair. They are often blamed for damage or irritation, but sulfate-free does not automatically mean better. Despite constant marketing promoting sulfate-free formulas, there is no solid scientific evidence proving that sulfates are harmful.
Although certain byproducts associated with sulfate production have been linked to cancer in animals at very high doses, their presence is tightly monitored and regulated by the FDA. Manufacturers also take additional steps to reduce these levels.
Moreover, products containing sulfates are not meant to stay on the skin for long — they are rinsed off. This makes absorption — and therefore any potential risk — extremely low.
Petrolatum, commonly known as petroleum jelly, is one of the most effective moisturizing ingredients in skincare because it forms a barrier on the skin that prevents water loss. However, since it is derived from petroleum — the same raw material used to produce gasoline — it has become a frequent target in beauty marketing.
A common myth is that petrolatum contains carcinogenic chemicals such as PAHs, but this applies only to unrefined, industrial-grade versions. The white petrolatum used in cosmetics is highly purified and strictly regulated. In other words, petroleum derivatives in cosmetics are not inherently harmful.
Photo: Shutterstock
