Top 4 Ingredients To Avoid

Did you know only 2 pages regulate a $60B industry? The U.S. has not passed a major federal law to regulate the safety of ingredients used in personal care products since 1938 while the E.U. has banned more than 1,300. Because of this, we've taken it on ourselves to thoughtfully craft products that include good-for-you ingredients.

So... Why does that matter?

How much your skin absorbs what it comes into contact with is a matter of debate. We’ve found estimates of over 60% and as low as 20%. While we don’t know the exact answer, it must be enough to make an impact—kind of makes you think about how nicotine patches work. That’s why we have made a choice to not use over 1,000 questionable ingredients.

Avoiding more than 1,000 ingredients can be exhausting so we made you a guide of the top 4 to avoid! Check the labels of your current products or those of ones you are considering.

1. Aluminum

• Why is it used in products: used to clog pores

• Why we don’t use it: sweating is a natural and important body function

• Aluminum is also the culprit for the yellow stains on your shirts and has been linked to cancer and Alzheimer’s

• Typically found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials

2. Parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others)

• Why is it used in products: commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold

• Why we don’t use it: Hormone disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies

• Typically found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials

3. Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES)

• Why is it used in products: added to products to create a lather or bubbles

• Why we don’t use it: it can irritate skin or trigger allergies

• Typically found in: shampoo, body wash, soaps and bubble bath

4. Phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP and others)

• Why is it used in products: used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin

• Why we don’t use it: It can disrupt the endocrine system and may cause birth defects

• Typically found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials

If you want to know other ingredients to avoid we’ve got you covered with this list.

Take to the oars,

Kristin