The Veto List

A common preservative known to irritate the skin at high concentrations. BAK may be harmful to the embryo during pregnancy, and therefore should not be used on mucous membranes or the vagina¹.

Found in: feminine washes, condoms, lubricants

Includes Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), Cyclohexasiloxane (D6), and Cyclomethicone. They are chemicals used to give many shampoos its ‘slip and shine’ quality and in intimate care products, that ‘slip’ feature. Cyclic silicone has been linked to reproductive harm, endocrine disruption and eco-toxicity². That’s also why they are under restriction in Europe and Canada for Environmental Toxicity, due to their build-up in waterways and in our food chain³.

Found in: silicone lubricant, shampoo, conditioner

Contaminants in conventional sanitary pads and tampons which are linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity.

Found in: conventional sanitary pads, tampons

Ingredients that release formaldehyde, a carcinogen, and may cause an allergic rash or eczema⁴. Although typically not listed as an ingredient, formaldehyde “releasers” often are listed on ingredient labels. Some of the ingredients that are likely to have formaldehyde tagging along include: DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea and Quaternium-15.

Found in: nail polish, eyelash glues, soaps, makeup, deodorants

Many products we use on a normal basis contain “fragrance.” The scent it creates often comes from a mixture of unknown chemicals of unknown toxicity, and may contain allergens, endocrine disruptors, and more⁵.

Unfortunately, companies are not legally required to share the ingredients in the fragrance mixtures, and many of them have not been tested for their potential impact on human health and the environment. Vira allows essential oils and natural fragrance in our products, but for intimate areas, we always recommend unscented products.

Found in: feminine washes, wipes, lubricants, douches, pads, tampons, moisturizers

A sweet-tasting preservative classified as a sugar alcohol. It is commonly used in personal lubricants and flavored condoms to improve taste, though it is not great for use around intimate parts, as it may trigger bacterial vaginosis, pH imbalance and increase risk of STIs (when used with condoms)⁶.

Found in: feminine washes, lubricants, condoms, moisturizers

Preservatives commonly found in many liquid personal care products, and have been linked to lung toxicity and allergic reactions⁷.

Found in: washes, deodorants, detergents, baby shampoo, body wash

Emulsifying chemical mixtures frequently found in lubricants and condoms. It may cause irritation, pH imbalance, potential reproductive toxicity, and/or be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide⁸.

Found in: lubricants, condoms, wipes

Preservatives that bind to estrogen receptors and can interfere with healthy estrogen metabolism. This toxin has been linked to breast cancer, and reproductive and developmental harm⁹. Out of caution, we prohibit all parabens, including Butylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Methylparaben.

Found in: feminine washes and lubricants

There are 3000 Highly Fluorinated Compounds used in many different types of products because of their oil-, stain-, and water-repellent properties. Compounds in this category do not break down in the environment, and many have been linked to a variety of health issues including breast cancer¹⁰, hormone disruption¹¹, liver toxicity¹², and obesity¹³. Avoid products with “perfluor” or “per-” as part of the ingredient.

Found in: dental floss, nail polish, facial moisturizers, eye make-up

The concerns with these ingredients are unsustainable sourcing, possible PAH contamination which are linked to cancer, and their increased risk of pH imbalance (in the vaginal environment) and STIs when used near and inside intimate areas. They also break down latex condoms, so mineral oil-based products such as Vaseline and Johnson's Baby Oil should not be used during sex¹⁴.

Found in: baby oil, oil-based lubricants

Phthalates are a well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), which cause hormone disruption and may be linked to reproductive toxicity, fertility issues, and thyroid dysfunction. Some appear on product ingredient labels, but many may remain undisclosed, hiding under the term “fragrance.”

Found in: feminine washes, wipes, lubricants, moisturizers, sex toys

Polyethylene Glycols, or PEGs, are a petroleum-based solvent that is widely used in cosmetics, washes, and moisturizers. PEG is a synthetic chemical used to attract moisture to the skin and help keep products stable, but they may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing)¹⁵.

In a study of personal care products marketed as “natural” or “organic” (uncertified), U.S. researchers found 1,4-dioxane as a contaminant in 46 of 100 products analyzed¹⁶. That’s why we think it’s best to veto PEGs in our health and beauty products.

Found in: creams, feminine washes, sunscreen

Common disinfectants that might cause irritation, hypersensitivity, and lead to microbial resistance¹⁷.

Found in: washes, wipes

The cleaning agent that is a little too good at its job. SLS takes too much from the skin, sapping the protective barrier which can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogenic byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation. Both SLS and SLES ​​are banned by the European Union (EU)¹⁸, but they are still prevalently used in Thailand.

Found in: body wash, bundle bath, shampoo

Dyes create color. Dyed products should be avoided on mucous membranes or vagina due to possible irritation.

Found in: conventional pads, tampons, feminine washes

Talc is used in many cosmetic powder products like eyeshadow and body (talcum) powders. There are two potential concerns regarding talc: 1) the risk of asbestos contamination and 2) the risk of small particles getting into the body through inhalation or perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder. When used in the genital area, data from 16 studies suggested that talc may increase ovarian cancer risk by 30%, and an additional study suggests that increases the risk of endometrial cancer, particularly among postmenopausal women¹⁹.

Vira asks companies using talc in cosmetics to obtain documentation that the talc they are purchasing has been tested for asbestos.

These ingredients are antibacterials used in personal care and home-cleaning products. They’re persistent in the environment and are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they impact the body’s hormonal system. This includes the hormones that regulate your baby’s growth — right when all of a baby’s organs are just forming — so much so that the US FDA banned triclosan and triclocarban from soaps and body washes in 2017²⁰. At Vira, we also advise against using products that have triclosan and triclocarban, especially during pregnancy.

Found in: body washes, sex toy cleaners, deodorants, creams