HONEY OATMEAL SOAP

OATMEAL 

HONEY 

SWEET ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL 

HIBISCUS POWDER 

LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL

All organic Ingredients

( other ingredients)

Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Coconut Milk, Titanium Dioxide

We use natural ingredients in all of our products, but it's still possible to experience an adverse reaction to certain ingredients. If any reaction or skin irritation occurs, discontinue use and consult with a medical professional. We’re always trying to improve our products to give you the best of the

best. 

 

HERE ARE THE TOP INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

1. SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE

This term covers any and all engineered scent agents. These bad boys can contain any combination of 3,000+ stock chemical ingredients (including known allergens and identified hormone disruptors).

Unfortunately, fragrance formulas found in cosmetics are protected under U.S. regulations. Why? Because they remain classified as most likely to be a "trade secret." This classification allows them to remain undisclosed.

Found in: Practically all types of cosmetics (and other places in your home). If it says "fragrance" or "perfume" in the ingredient list it can contain any of these chemicals – including phthalates (see #2 below).

2. PHTHALATES

Phthalates like DBP, DEHP, and DEP are a class of plasticizing chemicals. They make the fragrances in your skin care products stick to your skin or make the product itself more pliable. There is plenty of research that indicates that this family of ingredients disrupts the endocrine system and is toxic to our organs (both reproductive and non-reproductive). They might also cause birth defects.

The European Union has already moved on banning this family of ingredients from use in cosmetics and skin care products, whereas the FDA continues to monitor its use. And while the FDA does require that manufacturers list this ingredient, there is a serious loophole in listing requirements. Why? This ingredient family is used in fragrances and fragrance ingredients are classified as "trade secrets", so you may also have products that contain one or more undisclosed types of phthalates.

Most commonly found in: synthetic fragrance (so basically most conventional products that are scented), soap, shampoo, deodorant, body lotion, nail polish, hairspray, aftershave lotion

3. PARABENS

Parabens (including methylparabens, isobutylparabens, proplyparabens, and others) are a family of preservatives that manufacturers use in skin care products to help prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.

There is strong evidence to indicate that this family of chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, meaning that they alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. There is also evidence to indicate that this class of ingredients is an allergen.

Most commonly found in: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion, foundation.

4. PEG (POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL)

This ingredient is widely used as a thickener and moisture-carrier in many skin care products. You might also find it in your cosmetics as a solvent or softener.

The danger with this ingredient is that, depending on manufacturing processes, it could be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, both of which have a robust body of data indicating that they are carcinogens.

Most commonly found in: creams, sunscreen, shampoo.

5. RETINOL

Retinol is a synthetic form of Vitamin A. You'll find it in a variety of anti-aging skin care products, but "data from an FDA study indicate that retinoid ingredients may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions on sun-exposed skin" (EWG). At the very least, retinol is known to cause skin irritation, photosensitivity, and is not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing.

Most commonly found in: moisturizers, anti-aging skincare

6. FORMALDEHYDE

There is significant data proving that this particular ingredient is, simply put, very bad. It could also be lurking inside your cosmetics as a preservative. Research shows that this is a known carcinogen. It's also linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity and as a general irritant to skin, eyes, and lungs.

It's also a noted impurity in ingredients like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol), as well as several other preservatives that might be among the listed ingredients in your personal products.

Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath

7. SLS (SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE)

SLS is a foam booster and cleansing agent that can cause irritations for your skin, eyes, and lungs. It can also trigger allergies. There are also concerns of it causing non-reproductive organ toxicity as well as being an environmental toxin.

Most commonly found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

8. SLES (SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE)

SLES is used in a similar way in as SLS, but is also often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane. This is a concern because 1,4-dioxane's primary use is to make other chemicals less harsh. And, as mentioned above, 1,4-dioxane is a known carcinogen.

While the concern for skin, eye and lung irritation is high, there are also significant data gaps in understanding the additional effects that this particular ingredient may cause with repeated exposure.

Most commonly found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath

9. TRICLOSAN & TRICLOCARBAN

Both triclosan and triclocarban are antimicrobial agents and preservatives found in skin care products and household cleaning supplies (yuck!). As you might expect, this ingredient causes skin, eye and lung irritation. Research also suggests that repeated exposure causes bioaccumulation.

Both of these ingredients may also be endocrine disruptors and impact both reproductive and non-reproductive organ system toxicity.

Most commonly found in: liquid soap, soap bars, toothpaste.

10. BHA & BHT

These two ingredients are synthetic antioxidants used as stabilizers to extend product shelf life. They are also likely carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. And they may even cause liver damage.

Found in: lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, and other cosmetics

11. COAL TAR

Bet you didn't expect to see this in your skin care ingredients list, did you?

Coal tar is a byproduct of coal processing and it's a known carcinogen, skin allergen, and respiratory toxicant. You can also find it in hair dyes and in anti-dandruff shampoos.

Found in: hair dye, shampoo

12. EDTA (ALSO KNOWN AS ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID)

This is a binding agent added to cosmetics to improve stability and decrease the reactivity of any metal ions that may be present in your products. While it is listed with a relatively low risk score through EWG.org, EDTA is noted as commonly causing skin, eyes and lung irritations, and it may also be toxic to your organs.

Found in: hair color, moisturizers

13. MEA/DEA/TEA (ALSO KNOWN AS ETHANOLAMINES)

These ingredients are surfactants (foam boosters) and pH adjusters. Currently, there has been limited scientific testing done with this ingredient family. That said, it's commonly linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development.

Found in: hair dyes, mascara, foundation, fragrances, sunscreens

14. HYDROQUINONE

Hydroquinone is commonly found as an active ingredient in over-the-counter drugs. You'll also find it in fragrances and as a skin lightening chemical that inhibits the production of melanin. It's noted as an organ toxicity hazard and is also linked to cancer and skin irritations.

Most commonly found in: skin lightening creams

15. METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE AND METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE

These two ingredients are commonly found preservative ingredients in your skin care products. They're among the most common skin, eyes and lung irritants. They're also the culprit of many contact skin allergies.

Most commonly found in: shampoo, conditioner, body wash.

16. TOLUENE

Petrochemical solvent, pain thinning solution and...a common ingredient in nail polish. Toluene is linked to a number of contamination concerns, including skin, eyes and lung irritants, non-reproductive organ toxicity and it can also cause birth defects.

Most commonly found in: nail polish

17. LEAD

While lead occurs naturally in the environment, you'll also find this ingredient as an impurity in cosmetics like lipsticks, eye shadows, blushes, compact powders, shampoos, and even body lotions.

While the FDA is working to limit cosmetics deemed to have "unsafe" levels of lead, no safe blood lead level has actually been identified. There's also strong evidence that suggests that lead is a carcinogen. High lead levels can also damage people's kidneys, blood, and nervous system.

Bottom line: this is one of the most important skin care ingredients to avoid!

Most commonly found in: lipsticks, eye shadows, blushes, compact powders, shampoos, body lotions

18. OCTINOXATE

This is another common sunscreen ingredient no-no. Not only is octinoxate known for causing endocrine disruption, organ toxicity and cellular level changes, but it's also a suspected environmental pollutant. In fact, Hawaii has already moved ahead in banning this ingredient in sunscreens.

Most commonly found in: sunscreens

19. OXYBENZONE AND AVOBENZONE

There's a lot to know about these common sunscreen ingredients. For instance, research links these to a wide variety of skin irritations, sensitization, and allergies, as well as being a possible hormone disruptor. And the FDA has noted that there are a number of data gaps with these ingredients as well.

The U.S. lists both of these among the 12 of 16 sunscreen filters allowed for use. That said, according to the agency, “nearly all of these [16] sunscreen active ingredients … have limited or no data characterizing their absorption.”

(And yet they continue to appear on sunscreen ingredient lists!)

Most commonly found in: sunscreen, moisturizer

20. BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

This ingredient is a disinfectant most often used as a preservative and surfactant. You're likely to find it in your household cleaning supplies, but it has also made its way into personal care products like deodorant and moisturizers. Research links this ingredient to severe skin, eye and respiratory irritation and allergies.

And if all of that wasn't bad enough, regular use of antimicrobials like this one could also lead to the development of resistant bacteria in your home.

Most commonly found in: deodorant, sunscreens, 

What are the chemicals in fragrances?

The common ingredients found in perfume are benzyl alcohol, acetone, linalool, ethanol, ethyl acetate, benzaldehyde, camphor, formaldehyde, methylene chloride and limonene

For years, high-end fragrances and celebrity-recommended perfumes and colognes were a highly desired, novelty item. Smelling of Chanel or Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue was considered a sign of luxury that only a person of status might afford. However, according to statistics, sales of extravagant fragrance products like these have dropped significantly in the last few years. It’s possible that one reason for this is that the world is becoming more informed about the toxic nature of these products. Although unfortunate for these companies, we like to consider this is overall good news.

THE TOXIC TRUTH ABOUT COMMERCIAL PERFUMES & COLOGNES

Perhaps the reason fragrance companies got away with selling toxic products for so long is that they are not legally required to list their ingredients on the labels. Regulations have made it legal to keep their ingredients undisclosed by simply disgusting them under the term “fragrance”. In fact, a company can legally use over 400 ingredients under the single term to “protect” their trade formulas. Although there may be some credibility to protecting a company's formula, it should not be done at the expense of the end user's health.

Fortunately, the truth about commonly used ingredients in fragrance products is being exposed. Numerous studies have found that most of the most commonly used ingredients in commercial fragrance products can induce mild allergic reactions like headache, sinus inflammation, itchiness, runny nose and can contribute to worse issues such as hormonal imbalances, organ damage, and even cancer.

In 1986, the National Academy of Sciences tested commonly used fragrances for neurotoxicity; however, the results have still yet to be released. The good news is that many other tests have been done. In fact, in 1991 the EPA tested conventional, synthetic perfumes and found a long list of toxic chemical ingredients, including acetone, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, limonene, linalool, methylene chloride as well as phthalates, stearates, and parabens.

According to other studies, combined and alone these ingredients can evoke numerous health issues, including nervous system damage, kidney damage, respiratory failure, ataxia, intestinal inflammation, dizziness, fatigue and more. 1

TOP 10 KNOWN CHEMICAL INGREDIENTS IN FRAGRANCES

Getting into some of the specifics, here is a list of the top 10, known chemical ingredients used in popular fragrances and the research about their toxic effects:

• Styrene: National Toxicology Program and the National Academy of Science, have declared styrene to be an anticipated human carcinogen” in 2011. 2, 3

• Phthalates: Studies have found that phthalates are endocrine disruptors that can decrease IQ by 6 points in children whose mothers were exposed to them during pregnancy. The use of phthalates have also been linked to sperm damage in studies. Also, phthalates are also considered “obesogens” which means they can suppress the metabolism and contribute to obesity. 4

• Musk ketone: A skin irritant and hormone disruptor. 5

• Benzaldehyde: This substance is a known narcotic, lung and eye irritant. It causes nausea, abdominal pain, and kidney damage.

• Benzyl acetate: Known carcinogen, which causes eye and lung irritation as well as coughing.

• Camphor: Can cause dizziness, confusion, nausea, muscle twitching, convulsions.

• Ethyl acetate: Can cause eye and respiratory irritation.

• Limonene: Known carcinogenic.

• Linalool: Can cause respiratory disturbances in animal studies, depression, and central nervous system disorders.

• Methylene chloride: This substance has actually been banned by the FDA due to severe toxic effects; however, the ban is not enforced as it still may be found in labels listing “fragrance”.

PROTECTING YOUR HEALTH FROM TOXIC SCENTS

The good news is that protecting your body and health from the dangers of toxic chemicals in popular fragrance products is quite simple. First, become aware of them, avoid them and substitute with natural alternatives.

Here are some tips on how to avoid the dangers of toxic perfume chemicals while and also still smelling good:

• Avoid most commercial personal care products from big box stores - this is a general piece of advice, considering the fact that most of the very large manufacturers use low quality, toxic ingredients to increase profit margins. Unless you know your favorite product has switched to a more organic label deck, you’re better avoiding them.

• If you are unsure about your regular products quality/toxicity, then simply check the labels. Look for any of the chemicals we listed here today and also avoid any product with the ingredient “fragrance” or “perfume” on the label. These are usually chemical cocktails containing hundreds of ingredients.

• Look for products that contain recognizable, natural ingredients and scent their products with organic essential oils. If you are unsure about an ingredient, look it up before buying.