Common Synthetic Ingredients/Chemicals Found in Body Care Products.

Our products will NEVER contain the ingredients listed below.

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - This is one of the biggies! It is in a lot of stuff. It is typically found in liquid soaps, shampoos and toothpaste. It is also used in floor degreasers! It is very harsh on the skin.

"White powder used as a detergent, emulsifier, and surfactant in over a thousand cosmetic products, including shampoos, toothpastes, lotions, and creams. SLS is a strong degreaser that dries skin and hair. It is a primary irritant in high concentrations. SLS is used in many so-called’ natural” cosmetics, but it is not natural. It is produced synthetically via the Ziegler process and not with coconut oil (i. e., sulfur trioxide or chiorosulfuric acid). SLS has produced skin and hair damage, including cracking of the horny layer of the skin and a severe inflammation of the dermaepidermal tissue (“Denaturation of epidermal keratin by surface active agents, Journal Invest. Dermatology, 32:581, 1959). The presence of natural ingredients make little difference in the irritating action of these synthetic detergents. Any cosmetic that contains sodium lauryl sulfate can’t be termed as natural, although many shampoos labeled as natural contain large amounts. Also SLS is frequently combined with triethanolamine (TEA) which may be contarninated with nitrosamines, a potent carcinogen."

The above excerpted from:
Hampton, Aubrey. Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care. First Edition, Third Printing
Organica Press, 1987

2. Parabens (methyl and propyl) - Synthetic chemicals typically used as a preservative. Can be found in liquid soaps and shampoos These chemicals have been shown to be toxic and allergenic.

"The parabens have been held up by the various cosmetic manufacturers as the ideal
preservatives. Remember, however, their safety has been "proven" only by animal tests, and there are allergic reactions to these preservatives even in tiny amounts. You will notice that many shampoos and soaps contain the parabens, even though they have been found to be incompatible with anionics, nonionics, and proteins. This means the parabens in a synthetic surfactant shampoo don't work (i. e., a shampoo that contains sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, etc.), and they will not work in any protein product. The other possibility is that they are used in much higher amounts than are claimed in order to be effective. Like many preservatives, they're also not safe since allergic reactions have been linked to the parabens. Gram-negative bacteria (the type of bacteria that may cause disease) have been found in cosmetics preserved with the parabens, so obviously the inclusion of the parabens may have appeared to protect the product, but obviously didn't protect either the product or the consumer (Goldman, C. L., Drug, Cosmet. mci 117:40, 1975). I have seen "natural" protein shampoos that contain the parabens as a preservative, but a combination like that neither works, nor is it "natural." Also, sooner or later, enlightened consumers realize they're being had with " half-natural" products and will no longer buy them."

The above excerpted from:
Hampton, Aubrey. Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care. First Edition, Third Printing
Organica Press, 1987

3. Mineral Oil/Petroleum Jelly - This is another one of the biggies! Petrochemical by-product of the manufacture of gasoline. These petrochemical based products are typically found in lip balms and lotions. They have been shown to interfere with the body's own ability to moisturize itself. They are used because they are cheap and they will never spoil. Never use "baby oil" on a baby! See lip balm addiction in our FAQ section for more information.

"Liquid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. Mineral oil is allergenic and phototoxic, but it is a cheap and almost unavoidable cosmetic ingredient. Tends to be heavy and greasy and cause the skin to become dry or develop clogged pores. Mineral oil (in any of its myriad forms) is NOT an ingredient in any good natural cosmetic."

The above excerpted from:
Hampton, Aubrey. Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care. First Edition, Third Printing
Organica Press, 1987

4. Propylene Glycol - Synthetic chemical typically used in liquid soaps and lotions. It is used as a humectant (attracts water) and a solvent. It is also used as antifreeze and hydraulic fluid! Would you ever knowingly put antifreeze on your skin?

"Petroleum derivative; a sweet viscous liquid that attracts water. In cosmetics propylene glycol is widely used as an humectant, surfactant, and solvent. In industry, propylene glycol is used in antifreeze and hydraulic brake fluid. Because propylene glycol is a petroleum product, it causes allergic and toxic reactions. Although it is a synthetic chemical, it is used in many so-called natural cosmetics. Any product that uses propylene glycol, or one of its compounds, cannot be called natural."

The above excerpted from:
Hampton, Aubrey. Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care. First Edition, Third Printing
Organica Press, 1987

5. Triclocarbon - Used as an antibacterial agent in soaps. See our page about "Anti-bacterial Soaps"

"Mostly commonly used antibacterial agent (bacteriocide) in deodorant soaps; used in concentrations of 1 to 2%. Allergic reactions and photosensitization reactions are possible with this chemical. Another problem is that triclocarban kills some bacteria but not all, causing an imbalance in the bacterial flora that surrounds the body. Triclocarban is absorbed by the body (one study lists absorption at around 14%), and long-term consequences of this absorption are unknown."

The above excerpted from:
Hampton, Aubrey. Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care. First Edition, Third Printing
Organica Press, 1987

6. Tetrasodium EDTA - Sequestering agent used to prevent physical or chemical changes in texture and appearance of products. Also, reacts with water to to make certain minerals in water be more soluable. This is supposed to reduce build-up. Has been shown to be a skin and eye irritant.

"Sequestering agent in cosmetics. Eye and skin irritant"

The above excerpted from:
Hampton, Aubrey. Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care. First Edition, Third Printing
Organica Press, 198

7. Synthethic fragrances - Not much to say here. Be aware that almost every product you can buy in the grocery store that has a natural sounding scent - probably isn't. A good example is lavender. Real essential oil of lavender does not smell anything like the synthetic lavender contained in store bought products. Just remember when you are looking at products at the grocery store - there is no natural tutti fruity scent!

8. Synthetic Colors - There are over 70 of those "D & C" colors you see listed on all kinds of products in the store. None of these are natural and in years past some have been found to be carcinogenic.