Chemicals of Concern in Feminine Care Products

Detox the Box

Toxic chemicals don’t belong in feminine products. Period.

This list includes chemicals of concern that are discussed in the Chem Fatale report by Women's Voices for the Earth.

Download & print this list and leave it in your purse or bag to refer to when you’re shopping for feminine care products.

Chemical Name Function Potential Health Effects Found in
Benzethonium Chloride Preservative, spermicide Not for use on mucous membranes, maternal and embryotoxicity Deodorant powders and suppositories, feminine wash
Benzocaine Mild anesthetic Allergic rash, dermatitis Anti-itch creams
Butylparaben Preservative Endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, allergic rash Wipes
D&C Red 33 Colorant (dye) Not for use on mucous membranes Feminine wash
Diazolidinyl urea Preservative Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer Feminine wash, douche
Dioxins and Furans Contaminant from bleaching process Cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity Tampons (not disclosed on label)
DMDM Hydantoin Preservative Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer Wipes, feminine wash
Ethylparaben Preservative Endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, allergic rash Wipes
Ext. Violet 2 Colorant (dye) Not for use on mucous membranes Feminine Wash
FD&C Yellow No. 5 Colorant (dye) Allergic reactions including bronchial asthma Feminine Wash
“Fragrance” Fragrance Contains undisclosed chemicals of unknown toxicity, likely to contain allergens, allergic rash, endocrine disruption, cancer Wipes, feminine wash, tampons, pads, douche, deodorant, anti-itch creams
Methylchloroisothiazolinone Preservative Allergic rash Feminine wash
Methylisothiazolinone Preservative Allergic rash Wipes, feminine wash, anti-itch cream
Methylparaben Preservative Endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, allergic rash Wipes, deodorant, anti-itch creams
Octoxynol 9 Spermicide Genital irritation, increased vaginal discharge, potential reproductive toxicity Douche
Pesticide residues Contaminant of traditionally grown cotton Cancer, endocrine disruption, acute toxicity Tampons (not disclosed on label)
Polyoxymethylene Urea Preservative Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer Deodorant powder
Propylparaben Preservative Endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, allergic rash Wipes, anti-itch creams
Quaternium-15 Preservative Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer Wipes, feminine wash
2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1, 3-Diol Preservative Releases formaldehyde, allergic rash, cancer Wipes

Download and print this list

Thanks to Women's Voices for the Earth