Banned Ingredients

Our list of ingredients we'll never use.

DENATURED ALCOHOL
Denatured Alcohol is often used as a main ingredient in sunscreens, shave creams and moisturisers. While this may reap short term benefits but end up with negative long term consequences. These include dryness, disruption of the surface barrier and a strain on how skin replenishes, renews and rejuvenates itself. Alcohol weakens everything about skin.

OXYBENZONE

Widely used in many everyday sunscreens because of its ability to absorb UVB and short UVA rays. Many top scientists believe Oxybenzone can cause cancer, in particular Skin Cancer. Sweden has completely banned the use of this ingredient. 

 FORMALDEHYDE
Formaldehyde is often found in Shampoos and other personal care products. The chemicals help prevent microbes from growing in water based products. Formaldehyde can be absorbed through the skin and have been linked to both cancer and allergic skin reactions.
TOLUENE
A chemical found in nail polish and hair dyes, Toulene is considered one of the most toxic ingredients on the market. Research suggests Toulene can be associated with immune system toxicity and linked to blood cancer. Symptoms of Toulene poisoning may include fatigue, sleepiness, headaches and nausea. 		SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant used in a variety of personal products due to its low cost and simplicity. SLS is known to weaken the skins defense mechanism. SLS both irritates and penetrates the skin, meaning it can be harmful, irritant or allergenic.

 SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is used in cosmetics to make products bubble in foam. Often used in shampoos, shower gels and facial cleansers. While we are conditioned to believe that clean means a good foamy lather, this isn't the case. Bubbles can strip the skin of moisture and damage the protective layer preventing skin from irritations.
LEAD
In the eighteenth century, lead was used to help women achieve a pale look that was popular at the time. It also smoothed out the face. People who used lead-based products poisoned themselves slowly, and suffered side effects like grey hair, dried out skin, severe abdominal pain and constipation. Continual exposure to products containing Lead raises risks for kidney problems, cardiovascular disease, reproductive disorders, and other health issues. 		RETINOL
While it has a lot of documentation surrounding it's benefits, it's important to be aware of the negative effects which can be unbearable. Common skin reactions to Retinol include redness, sometimes along with pain, skin peeling and flaking, irritation and dryness. Use of Retinol can also cause an increased risk of sunburn and skin damage and thinning skin. 		PARABENS
Parabens are used for making products last longer. They kill mould and fungi, and prevent products from being spoiled. However, this doesn't come without disadvantages. Namely, Parabens have been known to cause allergic reactions, premature aging, estrogenic activity, interference with endocrine system function and prenatal concerns.