#2 Coal Tar
As the name suggests, this one is a by-product of coal mining and processing, and, despite what some may say, it is a known carcinogen. Despite this, coal tar has been used in cosmetic and skin care products for ages, with the most common products known to use it being scalp and anti-dandruff treatments, shampoos, hair dyes, and even skin treatments for rosacea and redness!
This is surprising since coal tar has been linked to causing cancer ever since chimney sweeps ended up developing scrotal cancer due to prolonged exposure to it. Other cancers that have been associated with exposure to coal tar include bladder, lung, digestive, and kidney cancers. If this ingredient doesn’t end up giving you cancer, then it can also lead to lung, skin, or bladder tumors, as well as reproductive toxicity.
Make sure the products you are using do not contain this ingredient!
