True Essentials Guide
Chemicals to Avoid — and Why
Most consumers know they want products without "bad chemicals" but have no way to quickly understand what those chemicals actually are, where they hide, or why they matter. This guide covers every chemical True Essentials tracks, with plain-language explanations of the science behind each one.
Jump to a chemical
PFAS
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and stain-resistant treatments. They are called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment or the human body.
Commonly Found In
Non-stick cookware, microwave popcorn bags, fast food wrappers, water-resistant clothing, stain-resistant carpet and upholstery, some dental floss.
Why It Matters
PFAS accumulate in blood, organs, and breast milk. Research links exposure to thyroid disruption, immune suppression, hormone interference, kidney and testicular cancer, and developmental problems in children. The EPA has set a drinking water limit of 4 parts per trillion — a level so low it signals there is no safe threshold.
PTFE (Teflon)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), sold as Teflon, is the fluoropolymer coating behind most non-stick cookware. It is a member of the PFAS family and off-gases toxic fumes when overheated.
Commonly Found In
Non-stick pans and bakeware, some waterproof clothing treatments, certain medical devices, wire insulation.
Why It Matters
When PTFE-coated pans exceed 500°F — easily reached on a gas burner — the coating off-gases fumes that cause flu-like "polymer fume fever" in humans and are acutely lethal to birds. Environmental persistence is a long-term concern.
BPA
BPA (bisphenol A) is used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin can linings. It mimics estrogen in the body and leaches into food and beverages, especially when containers are heated or scratched.
Commonly Found In
Hard plastic bottles, food storage containers, can linings, bottle caps, thermal paper receipts, some dental sealants.
Why It Matters
BPA is linked to breast and prostate cancer risk, fertility problems, metabolic disorders, and behavioral changes in children exposed in utero. Note that BPA replacements (BPS, BPF) show similar hormonal activity in early research.
Parabens
Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and others) are synthetic preservatives used in cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, and some foods since the 1950s. They are readily absorbed through the skin.
Commonly Found In
Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, makeup, sunscreen, some packaged foods and pharmaceuticals.
Why It Matters
Parabens are estrogen mimics. Research has detected intact parabens in breast cancer tumor tissue. The European Commission has restricted several long-chain parabens in cosmetics. Leave-on personal care products represent the highest daily exposure.
Phthalates
Phthalates are added to PVC plastics to make them flexible and are commonly hidden inside the ingredient "fragrance." They are among the most ubiquitous endocrine disruptors in modern environments.
Commonly Found In
Vinyl flooring, shower curtains, food packaging, personal care products labeled with "fragrance," some children's toys, medical tubing.
Why It Matters
Phthalates are linked to reduced testosterone, impaired sperm quality, early puberty in girls, pregnancy complications, and developmental delays in children. Because they are not chemically bound to plastics, they migrate continuously into food, air, and skin.
Flame Retardants
Halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) are added to furniture foam, mattresses, electronics, car seats, and textiles to meet flammability standards. They accumulate in body fat and breast milk.
Commonly Found In
Upholstered furniture, mattresses, infant car seats and nursing pillows, electronics, insulation foam, some children's sleepwear.
Why It Matters
HFRs are linked to thyroid hormone disruption, neurodevelopmental delays and reduced IQ in children, and cancer. Studies have found flame retardants in virtually every American tested. Many are phased out only to be replaced by structurally similar chemicals.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas used as a preservative and adhesive. The EPA and IARC classify it as a known human carcinogen. In personal care products, it is often released slowly by "formaldehyde releaser" preservatives.
Commonly Found In
Pressed wood furniture and flooring, some personal care products (via releasers: DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15), fabric treatments, building materials.
Why It Matters
Formaldehyde off-gasses from new furniture and flooring at room temperature. Formaldehyde releasers in personal care products expose skin and mucous membranes. Chronic low-level exposure is the primary indoor air quality concern.
SLS / SLES
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are synthetic foaming agents used in most conventional shampoos, body washes, and toothpastes.
Commonly Found In
Shampoos, body washes, face washes, toothpastes, dish soaps, laundry detergents.
Why It Matters
SLS disrupts the skin barrier and can trigger or worsen eczema and contact dermatitis. SLES manufacturing can leave behind 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen. The EU limits their concentration in leave-on products; the US does not.
Synthetic Fragrances
"Fragrance" or "parfum" on a label can represent hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. The fragrance industry is largely self-regulated, with no requirement to disclose individual ingredients.
Commonly Found In
Nearly every conventional personal care product, cleaning products, air fresheners, candles, laundry detergent, dryer sheets.
Why It Matters
Independent testing has identified phthalates, synthetic musks, benzene derivatives, and known allergens in fragrance blends. Synthetic musks accumulate in body fat and breast milk. For people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, fragrance is one of the most common triggers.
Lead
Lead is a heavy metal with no safe level of exposure, especially for children under six. It appears in some ceramic glazes, older paint, certain imported products, and tap water from lead pipes.
Commonly Found In
Ceramic dinnerware (especially imported), older painted surfaces, some vinyl products, contaminated spices, water from lead service lines.
Why It Matters
Lead causes irreversible neurological damage. Even low-level chronic exposure in children reduces IQ, impairs attention, and causes behavioral problems. In adults it accumulates in bones and is linked to hypertension, kidney disease, and cognitive decline.
Artificial Dyes
Synthetic food and product dyes are petroleum-derived colorants used in foods, beverages, personal care products, and textiles. The EU requires warning labels on foods containing several common dyes; the US does not.
Commonly Found In
Processed foods and beverages, children's snacks, medications, shampoos, makeup, some textiles.
Why It Matters
Several FD&C dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6) are linked to hyperactivity and behavioral changes in children. Some coal tar dyes contain benzidine, a known carcinogen, as a manufacturing contaminant.
Microplastics
Microplastics are particles smaller than 5mm that shed from plastic products during normal use. They have been detected in human blood, lung tissue, placenta, and breast milk.
Commonly Found In
Plastic cutting boards, food storage containers, single-use packaging, synthetic clothing, plastic bottles, tea bags with plastic mesh.
Why It Matters
Early research links microplastic exposure to inflammation, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption from the chemical additives (plasticizers, colorants, stabilizers) they carry. Reducing plastic food contact is currently the most effective mitigation.
Chlorine
Chlorine-based bleaching is used in paper products, tampons, diapers, and some textiles. The process can produce dioxins and furans — among the most toxic synthetic chemicals known.
Commonly Found In
Conventional tampons and pads, diapers, paper towels, coffee filters, some bleached cotton textiles.
Why It Matters
Dioxin exposure is linked to cancer, immune dysfunction, reproductive harm, and developmental problems. Products used in close body contact — particularly menstrual and infant products — are the highest concern because residual dioxins can migrate directly to skin and mucous membranes.
Glyphosate
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world and the active ingredient in products such as Roundup. It is heavily applied in industrial agriculture and is commonly detected as residue on crops and in food products.
Commonly Found In
Conventional oats and wheat products, cereals, granola, soy products, corn-based foods, beer and wine, lawn and garden weed killers.
Why It Matters
In 2015 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. Research links chronic exposure to increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, microbiome disruption, and potential endocrine effects. Because glyphosate is heavily used in agriculture, low-level dietary exposure is widespread.
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