While there are literally thousands of ingredients we avoid, here a short list of ingredients we avoid in our formulations:

Bismuth Oxychloride:  This ingredient is often used in mineral make-up formulations because it gives a pearlescent sheen to make-up.   Unfortunately, for those with sensitive skin, acne, and/or rosacea, bismuth oxychloride can aggravate and irritate the condition.  It can also enlarge pore size permanently.  The chemical structure is similar to arsenic (in its unrefined form), and must go through several processes before it is deemed safe for use on the skin.  Bismuth oxycloride is found in most makeup brands.

• It is the by-product of copper and lead refinement.

• Due to its weightiness, it is commonly used as filler in order that the finished product will weigh more on the scale.

• It commonly causes irritation (itching and breakouts) and can cause pores to become clogged.

FDC Lakes and Dyes:  Some studies have shown that dyes/lakes may have a (neuro) toxic effect on the brain, especially young children.  Found in many lipsticks, glosses and makeup products.


Propylene Glycol:  (PG), Polyethylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol (EG) are both petroleum derivatives that act as solvents, surfactants and wetting agents.  They can easily penetrate the skin and can weaken the protein and the cellular structure.  Propylene Glycol is what is used to carry the “active” ingredients in those transdermal patches into your body.  


Sodium Lauryl Sulfate:  (SLS) is a harsh (caustic) detergent, also known as a surfactant, which breaks down the surface tension of water.  It can actually damage the outer layer of the skin, the stratum corium, causing dryness, roughness, scaliness, fissuring, loss of flexibility and reduction of the barrier damage to the moisture retaining ability of the cellular level resulting in water loss and loss of water binding ability.


Talc:  This is a mineral and is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos.  A strong link exists between frequent use of talc in the female genital area and ovarian cancer.  Talc poses a strong risk when exposed to the lungs.  Talc miners have shown higher rates of cancer and other respiratory illnesses from exposure.  A 1993 national toxicology report found cosmetic grade talc, without any asbestos-like fibers, caused tumors in animal subjects. 


Sources:  The American Academy of Dermatologists, Inc. Jan 1991; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), 1996; Atlanta, GA; US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service; Derm. Beruf Umwelt July/Aug 1998; Cosmetic Science, C. Prottey, 1978.