Personal Care

MODERATE priority — the highest-value rinse-vs-leave distinction in personal care. Lotion stays on skin all day over a large area, so leave-on exposure is real.

What to check: This is the product where "fragrance-free" matters most. Also scan for parabens, formaldehyde releasers (DMDM hydantoin), and MI/MCI — leave-on contact makes preservative allergens more relevant.

MODERATE priority — and a special case, because here the fragrance IS the product. This is the single biggest hidden-phthalate route in personal care.

What to check: You can't "flip the label" to remove fragrance from perfume. The realistic moves are: use less, apply to clothing rather than skin, and avoid heavy daily reapplication — especially in pregnancy. "Phthalate-free fragrance" claims exist but are hard to verify.

MODERATE priority — with the hard rule: DO NOT stop using sunscreen. UV/skin- cancer protection is proven; the fix is switching filter TYPE, not skipping protection.

What to check: The active-ingredients panel. Chemical filters (oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, homosalate, avobenzone) absorb into blood; mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are FDA-recognised as safe/effective. Also: "waterproof" sunscreen is a PFAS keyword — look for PFAS-free.

MODERATE priority — high-use, long mucosal contact, and the subject of recent contaminant findings. Calm framing: real enough to prefer simpler products, not to panic.

What to check: "Fragrance-free" (skip scented tampons/pads/liners), and consider organic- cotton or a reusable cup. Be aware "PFAS-free" period underwear claims have not always held up.

LOW–MODERATE priority. Rinse-off, so short contact — the real issues are fragrance (allergy/scalp) and preservative allergens, not "toxins."

What to check: Flip the bottle. Look for "fragrance/parfum" and the preservatives DMDM hydantoin, methylisothiazolinone (MI), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Sulfate (SLS/SLES) only matters if your scalp is dry, itchy, or irritated.

LOW–MODERATE priority. Leave-on, applied to thin underarm skin daily. The fragrance is the realistic concern; the famous aluminium-and-cancer fear is NOT supported by evidence.

What to check: "Fragrance/parfum" first. If you prefer caution, parabens and (in older/ some products) triclosan. Aluminium is the antiperspirant active — see the honest note below.

LOW–MODERATE priority. Leave-on (stays in hair, near scalp/face); aerosols add an inhalation/VOC angle.

What to check: "Fragrance/parfum," formaldehyde releasers (DMDM hydantoin), and — for sprays — ventilation, since hairsprays/aerosols are a VOC and inhalation source.

LOW–MODERATE priority. A leave-on scalp product whose realistic concern is allergy (PPD) and irritation; the cancer question for personal use is contested/inconclusive.

What to check: PPD (para-phenylenediamine) and related dyes if you're allergy-prone — ALWAYS patch-test before use. Ammonia/strong fumes mean ventilate; consider PPD-free or semi-permanent.

LOW priority for rinse-out; LOW–MODERATE for leave-in (longer contact). Same allergen logic as shampoo, plus conditioning quats.

What to check: "Fragrance/parfum," MI/MCI, and the conditioning agents behentrimonium/cetrimonium chloride (quats — mostly an irritation/allergy point at leave-in concentrations, not the disinfectant-quat asthma concern).

Rinse-off; same family as shampoo. Fragrance + preservative allergens are the only everyday issues for most people.

What to check: "Fragrance/parfum," MI/MCI, DMDM hydantoin. Sulfates only matter for dry or eczema-prone skin.

LOW priority — with one clear rule: skip "antibacterial." Plain soap is just as effective for routine handwashing and avoids added biocides.

What to check: Avoid "antibacterial/antimicrobial" claims and the actives triclosan (now banned from US wash soaps) and benzalkonium chloride (a quat). Otherwise just check for fragrance if skin is sensitive.

Rinse-off, short contact — but applied to skin that's about to be abraded by a razor, so fragrance/irritation is the practical issue.

What to check: "Fragrance/parfum" first; sulfates/menthol if you get razor burn or stinging.

LOW priority, awareness item. Some adhesive bandages have been reported to contain PFAS / Fluorinated Chemicals — and they're worn against broken skin for days, often by children.

What to check: Whether the brand states PFAS-free / fluorine-free testing; fabric and simpler bandages are a reasonable default.