The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization in Washington D.C., has compiled a list of ingredients and ratings of safety for all cosmetics. You can find the report at www.safecosmetics.org. Click on Skin Deep Report on the left-hand column, then search for the category you are interested in, such as lipstick, etc.

Its Web site, www.ewg.org, also includes a list of phthalate-free cosmetics, deodorants, hair gels, hair sprays and hand and body lotions.