Most of the time, 98% sounds like a great score. On a test, it's an A+. But in a recent study of everyday products, 98% was the share of products that contained something that wasn't on the label.

What the study found

Researchers tested 113 everyday products in 12 categories, including shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, deodorant, toothpaste, baby lotion, laundry products, and household cleaners. They bought them at stores most of us shop at, like Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Dollar Tree. Then they compared what was on the label with what was actually in the bottle.

Here's what they found:

1 - About 98% of the products contained at least one chemical that wasn't listed on the label. That's nearly every product they tested.

2 - About 85% contained at least one unlisted chemical that's known or suspected to be harmful to human health.

3 - More than 1 in 4 products contained chemicals that went against their own claims, like "natural" or "hypoallergenic."

The study was published in 2026 in the journal Environment & Health.

Why would something be in the bottle but not on the label?

That kind of finding always makes me ask why. Is it harmful or harmless? Accidental or on purpose?

The researchers don't think most of these chemicals were added on purpose. Some may come from contamination during manufacturing or storage. Some may form when ingredients react with each other over time. And some are legally hidden. Companies can list dozens of ingredients under the single word "fragrance" and keep the details as a trade secret.

The study also didn't measure whether the amounts found are enough to cause harm. That's the next step. So we don't have all the answers yet. What we do know is that the label doesn't always tell the whole story. For me, that's enough to raise a small red flag and pay closer attention.

Which products matter most?

Not every product deserves the same amount of worry. A helpful way to think about it is to focus on the products you use the most, especially the ones that are heated, inhaled, or left on your body all day. That's because heat helps chemicals move out of plastic and into your food, anything you breathe in goes straight to your lungs, and leave-on products have hours to soak into your skin.

A shampoo you rinse off in a minute is different from a lotion that sits on your skin for hours. And of course, some types of contact matter more than others. Putting something on your skin is different from putting it in your eye.

Reduce your exposure

My good friend Ray has taught me a lot about healthy living. One thing he said years ago has stayed with me: reduce your exposure. It's doable, it's calm, and it fits perfectly with this research.

Think of it like turning down the volume on a radio. You don't have to unplug it or throw it out. You just make it quieter, a little at a time.

Here's how I apply that idea in everyday life.

1 - Look at what the label actually promises

"BPA-free" means no BPA, but it doesn't mean no bisphenols. Some products simply swap in a close cousin, like BPS. "Unscented" may still contain a masking fragrance that covers up other smells. And "hypoallergenic" has no legal definition, so it doesn't guarantee you won't have a reaction. Labels are helpful, but they're not complete.

2 - Focus on the exposures that matter

Heating food in plastic, daily leave-on products, anything you inhale, and worn or scratched cookware create the biggest opportunity for contact. These are the places where small changes make a real difference.

3 - Make swaps that keep the benefit

If you don't like an ingredient in your sunscreen, choose a mineral option with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Don't skip sun protection. If the healthiest food comes only in plastic, like a bag of frozen vegetables, eat the healthy food and cut back on plastic somewhere else.

4 - Keep it simple

Move food to glass before heating. Replace worn or scratched utensils and pans. Choose fragrance-free when you can. Open a window or turn on a fan while cleaning. Use a water filter certified for the specific contaminant you're concerned about.

I wrote about this same idea in Make Yours a Plastic-Smart Summer, with simple swaps that reduce exposure without making life complicated.

Don't forget the big stuff

It's easy to get so focused on labels that we forget what moves the needle most. A little more fiber, a short walk, or another glass of water still does a lot for your health. Fiber helps your body carry out waste, and regular physical activity supports nearly every system you have.

Try this tonight: when you put away leftovers, store them in glass containers instead of plastic. Tomorrow you can reheat them right in the glass, no extra dish to wash.

If you want more on why small, simple changes add up, I wrote about why small daily habits matter more than motivation.

Progress, not perfection

You don't need to toss everything under your bathroom sink. Keep making simple, thoughtful improvements in the places that matter most.

Which product would you swap first? I'd love to hear!

Sources

1 - Schultz et al., Environment & Health, 2026: nontargeted chemical analysis of personal care and cleaning products

2 - ScienceAlert, 2026: summary of the study

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