blog
deep-dive ingredient analysis
Let’s get nerdy for a second. Skincare shelves are stacked with fancy jars and glossy promises, but the real story lives in the ingredient list—usually in size 4 font and impossible to pronounce. That’s where we come in.
At The Zook Lab, we believe knowledge is your skin’s best defence. When you can decode what’s actually inside your cleanser, serum, or sunscreen, you’re no longer at the mercy of clever marketing or fluffy buzzwords. You’re in control.
In this section, we’re putting the spotlight on some of the most common—but also most controversial—ingredients hiding in everyday beauty products. We’ll break down what they do, why they can be shady, and the cleaner, smarter swaps that deserve a spot on your bathroom shelf.
Because when you know better, you glow better. ✨
parabens
Parabens are like that overprotective aunt at a party—always hanging around to make sure things don’t go off. In skincare, they’re synthetic preservatives (look out for names like methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben) used to keep your products fresh and bacteria-free. Sounds useful, right?
What they do: Synthetic preservatives (like methyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben) used to stop bacteria and mold from growing in skincare, makeup, and haircare.
Why it’s shady: Parabens are hormone imposters—they mimic estrogen and can disrupt your endocrine system. Research has linked them to reproductive issues, reduced testosterone, and even detected them in breast tissue. Think of them as the unwanted party guests who pretend to be part of the family but cause chaos behind the scenes.
Sources: Trifora Wellness, Wikipedia – Propylparaben, Alexes Hazen MD
Clean alternatives: Safer preservatives like phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, or potassium sorbate keep your products stable without gatecrashing your hormones.
phthalates
What they do: Often used as fragrance fixers or plasticizers to make formulas silky or scents linger.
Why they’re shady: Phthalates are endocrine disruptors connected to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and respiratory ailments. Some studies link exposure to altered reproductive outcomes in infants Trifora WellnessAlexes Hazen MD. They’re also often lurking under vague labels like “fragrance” The SunDerm Talk Docs.
Clean alternatives: Use truly fragrance-free products or those scented naturally with essential oils—but patch test those too!
sulfates (sls & sles)
What they do: Foaming agents (like sodium lauryl sulfate) that strip oil and grime.
Why they’re shady: They can strip the skin’s natural barrier, triggering dryness, redness, irritation—or even disrupt the lipid layer. Contamination with 1,4-dioxane (a possible carcinogen) has been flagged too Trifora WellnessAlexes Hazen MD.
Clean alternatives: Gentle surfactants like coco-glucoside, sodium cocoyl isethionate, or non-sulfate cleansers.
formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
What they do: Preservatives like DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, etc., slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde to kill bacteria.
Why they’re shady: Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and skin sensitizer. Quaternium-15 is a top cause of allergic contact dermatitis Alexes Hazen MDSzeeking JOYWikipedia.
Clean alternatives: Labels that say “formaldehyde-free,” or that use non-releasing preservatives like sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate.
synthetic fragrances
What they do: Add scent or mask odors. Often listed simply as "fragrance" or "parfum."
Why they’re shady: A catch-all term that can hide dozens (or hundreds) of undisclosed chemicals—including allergens and hormone disruptors (like phthalates). These can trigger contact dermatitis, breathing issues, sensitivity—especially for sensitive skin SelmaDermaZen EssentialsThe Times of India.
Clean alternatives: Truly fragrance-free formulas, or minimalist natural scents using certified essential oils—used thoughtfully, not heavily.
oxybenzone
What it does: Common chemical sunscreen ingredient that absorbs UV rays.
Why it’s shady: It penetrates the skin, may act as an endocrine disruptor, and is implicated in coral bleaching and environmental damage ephas.com.auopulentskinsolutions.comClean Beauty Gals.
Clean alternatives: Mineral, reef-safe sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (non-nano when possible).