Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, make-up, deodorant. These are a few of the many products you may use on your body every day. Considering the number of times you wash your hands, brush your teeth, and apply various creams, lotions or tonics, it adds up to quite a few exposures every day.

The skin is both a protective and an absorptive organ. We literally couldn't live without it- it is our first line of defense. At the same time, it is a vehicle for substances coming into and out of our bodies. We sweat, emit oils and shed cells. We also absorb the creams and lotions we put on our skin. In fact, some medications are dosed through the skin - think of nicotine patches or hormone replacement creams.

So, if every day we put a number of products on our skin and in our hair and mouth, and if we absorb some of those products into our body, we'd like to be sure that they're safe. There has been more in the news lately about the potential harmful effects of regular exposure to the chemicals found in some products. But it's complicated to sort out.

The Environmental Working Group conducted a study looking at 10,000 chemicals present in 7,500 beauty products. Of these, only 28 were found to have been evaluated for safety by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel, which is charged with regulating the safety of the industry's products.

There is controversy around this issue. Not everyone agrees that there are risks to human health. Some say there isn't enough evidence to say there are risks in some of these products. Others say the products in question have been linked to harm in humans, animals or the environment. In times of doubt, use the precautionary principle - "when an activity raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically."

In other words, when there is some doubt about a chemical's safety, it's prudent to use an alternative that is known to be safe until we have more answers. Precaution is now an established principle of environmental governance, prominent in law, policy and management across such diverse areas as pollution, toxic chemicals, food standards, fisheries management, species introductions and wildlife trade.

Start with this list of the top 10 chemicals in beauty products and their label names to avoid:

Phthalates/fragrance: Phthalates are estrogen mimickers. On labels: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DNOP.

Propylene glycol: Is related to anti-freeze. On labels: Propylene Glycol, Proptylene Glycol, 1,2-Propanediol. Related synthetics: PEG (polyethylene glycol) and PPG (polypropylene glycol).

Formaldehyde: A preservative, it has been banned in Japan and Sweden. On labels: formaldehyde, formalin, formic aldehyde, oxomethane, oxymethylene.

Hydroquinone: On labels: 1, 4-Benzenediol; 1, 4-Dihydroxybenzene; P-Dioxybenzene; 4-Hydroxyphenol; P-Hydroxyphenol; 1, 4 Benzenediol.

Petrolatum/petroleum: Made from a fossil fuel; it is banned in Europe. On labels: petrolatum, petroleum jelly, trioxaundecanedioi acid, toluene, 4-amino-2-hydroxytuolene, BHA.

Mercury: On labels: mercurous chloride, thimerosal.

Mineral oil: Also made from a fossil fuel. On labels: liquidum paraffinum, paraffin oil, paraffin wax.

Lead: Look for products labeled "lead-free."

Colorants/synthetic colors: Most colorants are regulated by the FDA; however, many are derived from coal tar, which has been linked to cancer. On labels: D&C, FD&C.

Sodium lauryl sulfate/sodium laureth sulfate: A detergent. On labels: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Anhydrous Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Irium, SLS, SLES, MSDS, ALES, ALS.

Confusing? Yes, it takes some discernment. But, as many of us have gotten better at reading nutritional labels, so can we with other products that find their way into our bodies. Below are a few Web sites for more information.

• Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database: www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.

• Environmental Working Group: www.ewg.org.

• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: www.safecosmetics.org.

• Best in Beauty: www.bestinbeauty.com.

Here's to good health and healthy beauty!

Beth Schenk is facilitator of women's health at St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center.