Ingredients we avoid
Harmful ingredients we avoid in our formulas:
Did you know that more than 90% of cosmetics formulas contain one or more controversial and harmful ingredients? Here we present you with key information about such ingredients as well as the damages they cause.
Preservatives such as parabens are found in a wide variety of cosmetics products such as creams, soaps, and baby wipes. They are also sometimes used as fragrance ingredients, but consumers won’t find them listed on the label. This is due to the fact that fragrance recipes are considered trade secrets; thus, manufacturers are not required to disclose fragrance chemicals in the list of ingredients. Parabens easily penetrate the skin. Among many associated health concerns, perhaps the most serious is that a direct link has been shown between parabens and cancer.
TEA, MEA, DEA
These substances act as the link between the fatty phase and the aqueous phase (emulsifiers) of the products. They can cause irritation to the skin and the eyes. In high doses, they may be carcinogenic. The Association of Beauticians has banned their use, but they are still included in a variety of products, including those intended for infants and children, whose exposure is dangerous. Generally found in moisturizers, body lotions, and soaps.
BHA / BHT
BHA and BHT are synthetic “antioxidants” e.g. the synthetic equivalent of vitamin E, and are often used together. They can cause skin allergies and increase the risk of cancer. These substances are found in lipsticks, moisturizers, baby body lotions, etc.
Mineral oil – Petrolatum
This substance is the main ingredient in baby oil and liquid Vaseline. It’s also found in paraffin oil. Mineral oil is used to seal the skin to prevent loss of moisture, but in reality, what it does is the opposite – it imprisons toxins inside the skin. Skin becomes contaminated. Because it prevents detoxification, it causes acne and skin aging. Mineral oil blocks skin’s natural oil production, causing cracks and dryness. This substance is generally found in face and body creams, in baby products, in hair care products (to add shine to hair). Vaseline is a type of mineral oil extracted from a petroleum refining product.
Dioxane
This substance is found in shampoos and soaps for babies and children. It’s used as a lather and is known to potentially cause cancer.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
A cheap ingredient that foams and creates product volume. SLS is used as a grease remover in motor engines. Found in 90% of shampoos and soaps on the market, including even in tear-free baby soaps, it can lead to changes in the eye tissue. It’s especially dangerous for children, since it gets concentrated in their tissues in high percentages. Studies show that SLS causes eye irritation, skin rashes, and mouth ulcers. It penetrates the skin, heart, lungs, liver and brain. It has been proven to be capable of causing cancer. Found in toothpastes, personal hygiene products, shampoos, shower gels, and baby products.
Triclosan
An anti-bacterial preservative, registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an insecticide, that easily passes through the skin. Suspected of being carcinogenic and leading to hormonal dysfunction. Due to its widespread use, certain bacteria have developed resistance to it. Found in disinfectants, deodorants, toothpastes, detergents.
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is a very dangerous substance. Exposure to it causes damage to the lungs and increases the chance of cancer. It’s found in a variety of cosmetics products, shampoos and baby soaps.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
A surfactant found in liquid soap, foaming toothpastes, and tear-free baby soaps, that mainly contains SLS used as a foaming agent (usually listed at the top of the ingredients list). It’s a detergent (a substance used for cleansing) that’s very coarse. It causes dermatitis, hair loss, urinary retention, as well as possible damage to eye development in young children.
Talk | Talc
Talc contains carcinogen components and asbestos fibers. It’s one of the leading causes of ovarian cancer – no. 4 type of cancer among American women. Talc is also widely used in infant genital area care; it is crucial to avoid it.
Cationic surfactants
Cationic surfactants can appear by other names such as Cetalkonium chloride and Stearalkonium chloride. This material comes from the paper and fabric industry, in which it’s used as a fabric softener and as anti-static material. It is found mainly in hair conditioners (which in the long run, instead of softening the hair cause it to be dry and brittle). It can cause allergies. In case of ingestion, this substance can be fatal.
Aluminum
The function of aluminum is to seal the pores of the skin and prevent the secretion of sweat. Yet, sweat is supposed to be excreted from the body, as it is one of the body’s ways to get rid of waste. When the waste doesn’t come out, it increases the chance of irritation and inflammation, and even cancer. Some claim that aluminum can cause Alzheimer’s and that it increases the incidence of breast cancer.