If you avoid nothing else, avoid FRAGRANCE. Known as the "F" word due to the lack of regulation around this one ingredient label. Because "fragrance" is considered a trade secret, companies are not required to disclose the ingredients that are within this label and can therefore include multiple ingredients that are not disclosed to you. Kind of sneaky right? Avoiding fragrance and only purchasing products that are transparent in their ingredient list is a great place to start.

A class of plasticizing chemicals used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin. Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and may cause birth defects. Found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials.