Ingredients Policy

Ingredients We Avoid

NO Sodium Lauryl (eth) Sulphates NO Parabens NO Artificial Colour NO Artificial Fragrance NO Petroleum Oils & Petrochemicals NO Isopropyl Alcohol NO Formaldehyde NO TEA, DEA & MEA NO Phthalates NO Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) NO Chemical Sunscreens

Sodium Lauryl/eth Sulphate (SLS & SLES) - (back to top)

• Cheap detergent. Used as a foaming booster in shampoos, shower gels, bubble bath and toothpaste. Also used in floor cleaners and engine degreasers.
• Known eye and skin irritant. Can cause allergic reactions in concentrations of only 2%-5%. Can worsen sensitive skin conditions and cause dry scalp.
• Considered a Carcinogenic (cancer forming substance).
• Often disguised in "natural" cosmetics by being listed as coming from 'Coconut'.

Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl & Ethyl) - (back to top)

• Preservatives. Used to extend the shelf life of a product. Used in shampoo, moisturisers, sunscreen, foundations, deodorants and personal lubricants.
• Can cause allergic reactions and skin rashes.
• Shown to have mild oestrogen mimicking properties and may alter the balance of the users hormones.
• Scientific study found higher than average parabens in breast tumour tissue although no direct link with cancer has been proven http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3383393.stm
• Propylparaben is linked to genital abnormalities in young boys exposed to the chemical either as a foetus or prior to puberty.

Artificial Colour - (back to top)

• FD&C or D&C (followed by a colour and/or number) are coal tar dyes used to make cosmetics look attractive.
• They deposit toxins onto the skin through makeup and hair dyes.
• Known skin irritants. Can cause blocked pores, Acne and dry skin conditions.
• Low level exposure is linked to cancer.

Artificial Fragrance (Parfum) - (back to top)

• Can include up to 100 different chemical ingredients. A high proportion of these compounds are man-made, toxic and possibly carcinogenic (cancer forming).
• Used in cleansers, toners, moisturisers, body oils, body lotion, shampoo, deodorant, sunscreens and many baby products.
• Accounts for up to one third of all cosmetic allergies. May cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, rashes and skin irritations.

Petroleum Oils (Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Liquid Paraffin) - (back to top)

• Form a plastic barrier over the skin, like cling-film. This traps in toxins, blocks pores and prevents the skin from breathing.
• Can cause Acne, Eczema and other skin irritations.
• Used in body oils and lotions, hand creams, moisturisers, liquid foundations, lip balms and many baby products (baby oil, Vaseline).
• Prolonged use may remove natural oils from the skin and cause dryness and chapping.
• Accelerates the ageing process by encouraging free-radical generation.

Petrochemicals - (back to top)

These are chemicals derived from Petroleum and include compounds such as Benzene, Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs) and Propylene Glycol.

• Benzene
  • Highly toxic liquid readily absorbed by breathing, ingestion or contact with the skin.
  • Used as a solvent in perfumes, hairsprays and nail varnishes.
  • Known carcinogen. Long exposure can cause cancers and other health complications.
• Propylene Glycol
• Wetting agent and solvent used to help retain the moisture content and stop products from drying out.
• Used in most forms of makeup, hair products, toothpastes, mouthwashes, stick deodorants and baby wipes. Industry uses it in anti-freeze, brake fluid, floor cleaners and laundry detergents, to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of).
• Known skin irritant. Can cause allergies, Dermatitis and Acne.
• PG easily penetrates the skin. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns again skin contact due to increased risk of brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities.
• Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs)
• Synthetic binder and softener. Used as a thickening agent in personal care products, including toothpaste and shampoos. Also found in commercial cleaning products such as oven cleaners.
• Can cause contact Dermatitis and promote Acne.
• Suspected Carcinogen (cancer forming substance).

Isopropyl Alcohol - (back to top)

• Highly toxic and flammable Petrochemical, produced by combining water and propylene.
• Used as a disinfectant, solvent and cleaning agent.
• Found in hair colourants, hand lotions and antiperspirants.
• Known skin irritant, damaging to the eyes. Extremely drying to the skin.

Formaldehyde (Urea Imidazolidinyl & DMDM Hydantoin)

• Toxic gas. When mixed with water it is used as a disinfectant, preservative or fixing/setting agent.
• Found in nail polish, mascara, styling gel, sunscreen, deodorant, moisturisers, anti-ageing creams and other cosmetics.
• Eye, throat and skin irritant. May trigger headaches, nausea and asthma attacks.
• Carcinogen. Restricted for use in cosmetics in Sweden and Japan because of it's implication in Cancer.

Urea Imidazolidinyl & DMDM Hydantoin release formaldehyde. They are the most commonly used preservatives after parabens.

TEA, DEA, MEA - (back to top)

• Identified on labels as Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), and sometimes preceded by the word 'cocamide'.
• Mildly toxic liquids used as solvents, thickeners and detergents. Act as foam boosters in shampoos, bubble bath, body wash, soap and facial cleansers.
• Severe eye irritants and skin sensitizers. Can cause allergic reactions and contact Dermatitis.
• Suspected Carcinogens. Research suggests they cause formation of carcinogens (nitrates and nitrosamines).

Phthalates - (back to top)

• Used as plasticizers in cosmetics to reduce chipping in nail polish and avoid stiffness in hairsprays. Also found in soaps, shampoo, detergents, vinyl flooring and lubricating oils.
• Human research suggests that early exposure to some phthalates could reduce testosterone and alter reproductive organs, particularly in males. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-babies4feb04,1,6328220.story
• Possible links to decreased fertility in females.
• Difficult to identify. Manufacturers do not always list phthalates on labels or they disguise them under 'Parfum'.

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) - (back to top)

• Preservative used in conjunction with Methylchloroisothiazolinane in shampoos and liquid soap substitutes.
• Causes allergic reactions. Skin and eye irritant.

Chemical Sunscreens - (back to top)

• Contains UV (UVA & UVB) filtering ingredients that are absorbed by the skin, these include Benzophenone, Avobenzene, Parsol, Cinnamates and PABA (para aminobenzoic acid).
• Known eye and skin irritants that can cause rashes and photo sensitivity.
• Latest findings report chemical sunscreens may not prevent the effects of sun exposure (skin cancers).
• Most are estrogenic (hormone disrupting agents) and have been found to accumulate in body fats and in breast milk.
• May cause formation of nitrosamines (cancer causing substances) and are being studied for carcinogenic implications.

Mineral sunscreens are a great alternative to chemical sunscreens. They are not absorbed by the skin so unlikely to cause an allergy or block pores. They're also more effective at blocking UVA & UVB as they contain UV protection ingredients (Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide) which sit on top of the skin and provide a physical barrier to the sun.