What You Won't Find in Our Store
We take body safety seriously in an industry that actively discourages transparency. As a result, you will never find the following in any products in our store:
Phthalates: An inexpensive "plasticizer" used to soften harder plastics. Studies have linked it to kidney and liver damage, and disruption to the endocrine and reproductive systems. It is also environmentally toxic during production and degradation. Used in PVC and "jelly" toys. Also Known As: DEHP, DINP, DBP, DEP, DIP.
Amines: Ammonia compounds are used as foaming agents. They are listed as MEA, DEA, and TEA on ingredient labels.
Ceteareth-6: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel has placed a warning on this ingredient, insisting that it be excluded from products used on injured or damaged skin.
Mineral Oil: A petroleum derivative that is found in many moisturizers and causes severe allergic reactions.
Parabens: Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl - Widely used as cosmetic preservatives and antimicrobials, even though they are known to be toxic and a leading cause of contact dermatitis. In addition, methyl paraben combines benzoic acid with the methyl group of chemicals, which are highly toxic. These can appear on labels as p-hydroxybenzoate (or PHB) esters. Some studies have shown that parabens mimic estrogen in rodents. The chemicals also have been shown to stimulate growth of human breast-cancer cells in the lab. A University of Reading study, published in the January 2004 Journal of Applied Toxicology, found that 18 of 20 breast tumors studied contained significant concentrations of parabens.
Petrochemicals: Derived from petroleum, etrolatum, mineral oil, and paraffin.
Petrolatum: This is a very cheap jelly made from mineral oil that causes such skin problems as photosensitivity and interference with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, which leads to dry skin and chapping. Oddly enough, this product often creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate!
Propylene Glycol: Ideally this ingredient is made up of a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually however, it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant, or substance that promotes moisture retention. In its synthetic form, it is known to cause allergic reactions, clogged pores, and blemishes.
Sulfates: Sodium lauryl and sodium laureth sulfate.
Synthetic Fragrances: Synthetic fragrances can contain as many as 200 ingredients. There is often no way of knowing what these chemicals are since the label simply states "Fragrance", and these items do not have to list their chemical constituents. Recent research from EWG and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals in 17 name brand fragrance products, none of them listed on the label. Potential problems caused by these chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rashes, hyperpigmentation, coughing, and vomiting. Fragrances can contain hormone disruptors and are among the top 5 allergens in the world.
Triclosan & Triclocarban: Antimicrobial pesticides in liquid soap (triclosan) or soap bars (triclocarban), very toxic to the aquatic environment. often found as contaminants in people due to widespread use of antimicrobial cleaning products. Triclosan disrupts thyroid function and reproductive hormones. American Medical Association and the American Academy of Microbiology say that soap and water serves just as well to prevent spread of infections and reduce bacteria on the skin. Overuse may promote the development of bacterial resistance.
Ureas: These contain formaldehyde. On labels they will be described as diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, or DMDM hydantoin. These can cause contact dermatitis.