Our “no-no”
ingredients

What we don’t put into our products. 

Our commitment to using only naturally sourced, toxin-free, environmentally friendly ingredients left us with a very long list of “no-no” ingredients we will never use – substances that are unfortunately all too common in some makeup and cosmetic products.

From coal tar (a potential carcinogen) to phthalates (endocrine disruptors) and sulfates (skin and eye irritant and water contaminants), we believe these substances should never find their way into anyone’s home or body. They include:

  • Butylene glycol – irritant to skin, eyes and lungs; environmental toxin.
  • Carbomer – petroleum chemical. Penetrates lungs, causing possible infection.
  • Coal tar – human carcinogen (lung and urinary tract), potent skin irritant.
  • Diazlidinyl urea – formaldehyde-releasing; carcinogenic.
  • Disodium EDTA – penetration enhancer. Allows undesirable ingredients into skin.
  • Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasing agents – carcinogenic.
  • Hydroquinone – toxic to eyes, lungs, nervous system. May cause itching, hives, blistering. A carcinogen.
  • Lanolin – from sheep’s wool, often contaminated with pesticides etc. to which sheep have been exposed.
  • Oxybenzone or octinoxate – reef-damaging sunscreen ingredients.
  • Parabens (methylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, ethylparaben, etc.) – chemical structures similar to estrogen, can mimic estrogen activity in the body.
  • PEGs (e.g. polyethylene glycol) – petroleum-based compounds, possible carcinogens and genotoxins, not easily degraded in the environment.
  • Mineral Oil – petrolatum, which may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), exposure to which over extended periods of time is associated with cancer.
  • Paraffins or petroleum distillates – may form a film over the skin.
  • Phenoxyethanol – a known irritant to skin, eyes and lungs.
  • Phthalates – endocrine disruptors.
  • Retinyl palmitate – synthetic vitamin A compound, creates free radicals that increase skin cancer risk.
  • Siloxanes – silicone-based compounds (e.g. dimethicone) – toxic, persistent, bioaccumulative in aquatic organisms, endocrine disruptors, possibly reproductive toxicants. High doses may cause uterine tumours and harm reproductive and immune systems, may influence neurotransmitters in the nervous system. May form a film over the skin. Not biodegradable.
  • Sulfates (e.g. sodium laurel sulfate) – irritant to skin, eyes. Water contaminant.
  • Talc – irritant to skin and lungs. Causes fibrosis. May contain asbestos.
  • Tetrasodium EDTA – potent irritant to skin, lungs; contains formaldehyde; widespread water contaminant.
  • Triclocarban – environmentally persistent endocrine disruptor; bioaccumulates in and is toxic to aquatic and other organisms.
  • Triclosan – endocrine disruptor, toxic to aquatic organisms. May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Bioaccumulative and persistent.
  • Triethanolamine (TEA) – reacts with other chemicals to form carcinogenic nitrosamine.
  • Chemical colourants – irritate, sensitize skin. Carcinogenic.
  • Chemical fragrances – from toxic, petroleum-based chemicals, migraine triggers and associated with cancer, neurotoxicity and allergies.
  • Microbeads – tiny round plastic beads used for briefly scrubbing skin before being washed into the waterways where they can stay for up to 10,000 years and be ingested by marine life.