PLANTS AT WORK
Our plant based ethos instantly rules out 1000's of ingredients, but here are just a few of the most commonly used ingredients that for us do not make the cut.
PLANTS AT WORK
We carefully scrutinize the chemical components and molecular makeup of
each ingredient to ensure its safety and efficacy- avoiding toxic
substances, fillers, preservatives, and solvents.
CONSCIOUS CHEMISTRY
Our formulation principles are rooted in nature which makes things simple yet complex. Plants are bioactive, biocompatible, and biodegradable so when we consider the well-being of people and planet, plants always come out on top.
OUR HARD NO
The dose may make the poison but holistic intelligence guides us to look at the bigger picture and ask questions:
- If there's a known toxic dose but no therapeutic dose why use it?
- If there are non-toxic alternatives why wouldn't we use them instead?
- If there are low levels of toxin in the final product isn't someone, somewhere in production exposed to high levels?
- Bio-accumulation and toxic load matter so why not avoid it if you can?
- We always ask where does it come from and where does it go?
- Does it persist, degrade or bio-accumulate?
We don't care for fear mongering but we do believe reducing the use of potentially harmful and unsustainable chemicals in everyday life is better in every way for every earthly body.
100% VEGAN
100% PURE
99.9% PLANT
0% TOXIC
THE HARD NO LIST
ANIMAL PARTS AND EXCRETIONS
We are vegan by nature and we really don’t need to use any animal by-products or
intentionally harm any animals in our process – keeping it cruelty-free baby!
PETROLATUM, PETROCHEMICALS, MINERAL OIL
Petrochemicals and derivatives are unsustainable and may contain traces of PAH
(Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons) that are linked to cancer while having zero nutritional
value! This includes stuff like: Mineral Oil, Paraffin Wax, Liquid Paraffin.
BHA / BHT
BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE and BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE are preservatives toluene-
based preservatives linked to skin irritation.
PHENOXYETHANOL
Although generally considered safe we use robust, effective more natural and less
irritant preservatives ‘cos that’s our business
EDTA
Chelating agents,meaning that they bind to metal ions, which inactivates them. Our
concern is that they don't break down in the environment and have been found in
waterways.e.g Calcium Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA, etc
PHTHALATES
Phthalates are plasticizing chemicals mainly hidden in “fragrance.” which have been
linked to hormone disruption. Good job ours is clean!
ETHANOLAMINES
These ingredients (including DEA/TEA/MEA/ETA) may be contaminated with chemicals
PROPYLENE GLYCOL
A solvent and humectant normally from petrochemicals sources. Though it is commonly
used as a skin conditioning agent, it increases skin permeabilty and It has been
associated with irritant and allergic contact dermatitis
FOREVER CHEMICALS
Chemicals’ that do not break down in the environment, and many have been linked to a
variety of health issues You can spot them as many have names like “perfluor” or
“polyfluor” as part of the ingredient listing.
QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
“Quats” as they’re known, usually have “...onium chloride” in their names, e.g.
Benzalkonium Chloride. We prohibit quats mainly due to lack of data on safety and
they serve no function for our products.
FORMALDEHYDE DONORS
Some preservatives and ingredients release formaldehyde. Be on the look out for DMDM
Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea and Quaternium-15 for example.
SILICONES
Not great for the environment and may build up in the food chain. Some also have
reproductive, developmental toxicity and endocrine disrupting abilities – We won't
take our chances!
SOYBEAN OIL
Generally Known for its estogenic potential, low cost, GMO, pesticide grown. Its
natural but most sources fall short of our standards.
HYDROGENATED OILS
Generally considered “natural” but too over processed and not beneficial for health. We
dont junk food or junk cosmetics.
METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE/MCIT
METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE These preservatives cause irritation , allergies and are banned from use in leave-on
cosmetic products in the EU and restricted to very small amounts in rinse-off products.
SULFATES
it’s important to consider personal health and toxicity to aquatic animals and our
environment. E.g. Sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate have been found to
be a bit too harsh, cause contact irritation and are also harmful to aquatic life.
PARABENS
Preservatives that have hormone mimicking effects, so we banned them all! They may be
effective but better options exist! e.g. Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Isopropylparaben.
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE
We do allow natural fragrances (but no phthalates, nitromusks, or polycyclic musks,
as explained in our Dirty List). We require that every single scented product has a
disclosed fragrance category (e.g. natural, synthetic
PEGS
These ingredients are produced using Ethylene Oxide, and are often contaminated with
1,4-Dioxane, both Cancer causing suspects! You won't find this listed on the label, but
you will see ingredients such as PEG (there are many), Ceteareth-20, Sodium Laureth
Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, and most ingredients ending in “-eth” as well
as Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate-20 and so on...
SYNTHETIC COLORS
Used to artificially color a cosmetic product and are usually petroleum derived. They
are not good to eat, drink or put on the skin since they contain carcinogenic
chemicals, can cause allergies, skin irritations and acne!
RAW QUALITY
We have the strictest formulation standards, Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) and Quality Control (QC) which means only the highest quality ingredients make it into our products. Each product goes through extensive testing at every stage and is independently certified to be pure, safe, and effective.
NATURAL SCIENCE EXPERTS
We are dedicated to the science of nature and incorporate green chemistry principles into formulation and manufacturing. We bio-design our formulas using proprietary technology and validate them with scientific methods and research.
Learn more about us
Whats Inside?
Take a look into the wonderful plant-based actives that make our formulas amazing, high performance and so very good for you.
Glossary
Take a deep dive to learn about every ingredient we use in our formulas. We are all about integrity and transparency.
Our Mission
Healthy everyday skincare for every body. We are natural chemists showing the power of plants to solve skin problems.