Your pocket guide

Read the label.

A two-minute guide. Grab a bottle from your shelf and read along.

The short version · 30 seconds

If you only read one thing

  • ✓“Fluoro” or PTFE in a name means PFAS.
  • ✓-eth, PEG or polysorbate can carry 1,4-dioxane.
  • ✓DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15 release formaldehyde.
  • ✓“Fragrance” can hide dozens of ingredients.
  • ✓“Reef safe” and “hypoallergenic” have no legal meaning.

1 · California

Banned since 2025

California pulled these from cosmetics. Older bottles may still have them.

Look for

Dibutyl phthalateDiethylhexyl phthalateFormaldehydeParaformaldehydeMethylene glycolQuaternium-15MercuryIsobutylparabenIsopropylparabenm-Phenylenediamineo-PhenylenediamineAnything “fluoro”

2 · 1,4-dioxane

It's never listed

It can be left behind when an ingredient is made milder. The name tells you which ones.

Look for

-ethPEG-Polysorbate-oxynol

Just sound similar, and are fine: sulfoacetate, isethionate, glucoside.

3 · Formaldehyde

It hides in preservatives

These slowly release formaldehyde. Washington bans them from 2027.

Look for

DMDM hydantoinImidazolidinyl ureaDiazolidinyl ureaQuaternium-15BronopolSodium hydroxymethylglycinate

4 · PFAS

Forever chemicals

Often behind a long-wear finish. The FDA found 51 of them in US cosmetics.

Look for

FluoroPTFE

Not sure? Ask the brand if anything is fluorinated.

5 · Hormones

The EU named 28

These are under review for possible hormone activity. Some are now banned. Most are capped.

Two acids on the list

Kojic acid · capped at 1%Salicylic acid · capped, under review
See all 28 names
Benzophenone-3Kojic acid4-Methylbenzylidene camphorPropylparabenTriclosanResorcinolOctocryleneTriclocarbanBHTBenzophenoneHomosalateBenzyl salicylateGenisteinDaidzeinButylparabenMethylparabenBenzophenone-1Benzophenone-2Benzophenone-4Benzophenone-5BHAEthylhexyl methoxycinnamateTriphenyl phosphateSalicylic acidCyclopentasiloxaneCyclomethiconeButylphenyl methylpropionalDeltamethrin

6 · The ocean

It all rinses somewhere

These are banned or limited to protect reefs and water.

Look for

Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone)Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)OctocryleneCyclopentasiloxane (D5)PolyethyleneNylon-12

7 · Words

These promise less than they sound

These words tell you very little. Most have no legal definition at all.

FragranceNatural fragranceUnscentedHypoallergenicPhthalate-freeReef safeOcean friendly

“Unscented” can still contain masking fragrance.

8 · The 1% line

Below 1%, ingredients can be listed in any order.

So the star ingredient on the box may be a trace.

9 · Ask

Copy, paste, send

  • →“What's under ‘fragrance’ in this product?”
  • →“Is anything in this formula fluorinated?”
  • →“Are your cleansers non-ethoxylated?”

Any answer tells you something.

Us · Where we stand

Check us the same way

  • ✓No synthetic fragrance
  • ✓No -eth, PEG or polysorbate names
  • ✓No formaldehyde releasers
  • ✓No fluoro or PTFE
  • ✓None of the EU's 28

Every product page lists every ingredient by name.

Our ingredient philosophy

What we leave out of every formula

Read our ingredient lists

Indiefog products are cosmetics, made to cleanse, soften, and comfort skin. They do not treat, cure, or prevent any condition.