Most of us know there are lots of toxins and suspicious chemicals in household products, from oven cleaners to turbo-strength deodorant. Generally, though, a lot of us look the other way, because it seems like too much work to decipher ingredient lists and natural alternatives tend to be more expensive.

Why pay more? Well, one good reason is that crap always costs more in the long run. For example, some of the stuff you put on your body every day — lotions, shampoo, lip balm — present potential health risks. And the manufacturing processes involved in creating them can be disastrous for the planet.

There are a number of excellent resources for finding healthier and more eco-friendly options for almost any conceivable product. Summer Rayne Oakes’ book Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty (Chronicle Books, 344 pages, $34.95) is quite comprehensive and includes a breakdown of 20 ingredients to avoid. You can also research specific ingredients and products online at www.cosmeticdatabase.com.

While many will argue that these chemicals are safe in the small doses, there’s growing concern about the potential long-term effects to our bodies and our environment. I zeroed in on five controversial ingredients that I found in my own bathroom.

Parabens (listed as methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butyl-parabens)
WHY THEY SUCK: Parabens have enjoyed a low-toxicity profile, but that may change as recent studies have suggested a possible link to breast cancer.
COMMON USES: These preservatives are in practically everything, from shampoo to makeup.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: There are lots of paraben-free lip balms on the market, and even companies like Chapstick and Carmex make more earth-friendly formulas that are easy to find in drug stores. Burt’s Bees is a solid standby and there are numerous smaller companies who use hemp and olive oil bases if you’re vegan and want to avoid beeswax.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
WHY THEY SUCK: These practically omnipresent foaming agents are known irritants and carcinogens.
COMMON USES: Both are used in soaps, shampoos, bubble baths, toothpastes and other items to produce the satisfying sudsy lather we associate with cleansing power.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: Sodium coceth sulfate is considered a safer ingredient that offers comparable results and is used in eco-conscious brands like Yes to Carrots Pampering Carrot Juice Shampoo (which I use and quite like). There are a number of all-­natural soaps and shampoos, including several locally produced lines. Check your local health food store.

Talc
WHY IT SUCKS: It’s a mineral with similar properties to asbestos that is a known carcinogen and is specifically linked to ovarian cancer.
COMMON USES: Face powder, eye shadows, blushes, deodorants, bar soaps and foundation.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: Cornstarch is often used in place of talc. Check ingredient lists, even with companies you expect to be all-natural.

Formaldehyde
WHY IT SUCKS: It’s a known carcinogen. And I mean, come on — formaldehyde?
COMMON USES: Nail colour and nail-care treatments, air fresheners, carpet cleaners and some antibacterial dish detergents.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: Stick to gentle, all-natural cleaners, detergents and air-fresheners. Nail colour and other associated nail-care products are packed with bad-news ingredients — which is why they can be so stinky — such as toluene (derived from petroleum) and phthalates (which has been banned in the EU since 2004), but there are a number of greener lines available. I’ve personally had success with polishes by Zoya and Yves Rocher Couleurs Nature.

Propylene Glycol
WHY IT SUCKS: Though it’s possible to derive propylene glycol from vegetable glycerin and grain alcohol, it’s cheaper to create it synthetically from petroleum. PG is linked to everything from skin and respiratory irritation to central nervous system depression and seizures.
COMMON USES: Moisturizers, deodorants, mouthwashes, cosmetics, toothpaste and, weirdly, tobacco products.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: Natural versions of products like makeup remover and moisturizers are fairly easy to find. Deodorant, on the other hand, is tricky, since conventional brands not only often contain propylene glycol, but also commonly include aluminum chlorohydrate (a neurotoxin linked to Alzheimer’s and cancer) as well as the aforementioned talc and parabens. There are lots of natural deodorants on the market, but frankly, I’ve found them to be uneven in performance. Kiss My Face and Tom’s of Maine both make popular lines. Accept the fact that you may have to experiment until you find one that works for you.