The Naughty List

We use only natural and minimally processed oils, extracts, and butters.

Here's a list of ingredients you won't find in our products (see descriptions below):

Aluminum Chlorohydrate
Benzoyl Peroxide
BHA and BHT
Coal Tar Dyes
Cocamide
DEA, MEA, TEA
DEET
Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde Releasers
Lanolin
Mineral Oil
Parabens
PEG Compounds
Petrolatum
Phenoxyethanol
Phthalates
Propylene Glycol & Butylene Glycol
Silicone
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Talc
Triclosan
Nanoparticles
Synthetic Fragrances or Perfume
Synthetic Pigments and Colours
Sunscreen Chemicals
Triclosan


Aluminum Chlorohydrate
is a type of aluminum salt that is found in deodorants and antiperspirants. This ingredient has been suspected of increasing the risk of breast cancer.

Benzoyl Peroxide
is a member of the peroxide family and is used in cosmetics as a bleaching agent and anti-acne treatment. It is a known skin, eye, and respiratory system irritant that can cause allergic and asthma-like reactions at low doses.

BHA and BHT
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are a class of synthetic antioxidants that are used as preservatives. BHA has been classified as a potential carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Cancer, and BHT has been suspected of being a hormone disruptor by The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption, which causes reproductive problems.

Coal Tar Dyes
are derived from bituminous coal and petroleum distillates. They are used in many cosmetics to deposit colour (such as hair dyes and lipsticks). Coal tar dyes are suspected of being carcinogens (pure coal tar is a recognized carcinogen), and are toxic to the brain when contaminated with heavy metals.

Cocamide
is used to give cosmetics a creamy consistency and create lather. Cocamide is found in cleansers, soaps, and shampoos. It causes mild to moderate skin and eye irritation and long-term exposure has been linked to liver cancer and pre-cancerous skin and thyroid conditions. The International Agency for Cancer research has listed cocamide as a possible human carcinogen.

DEA, MEA, TEA
also known as Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), and Triethanolamine (TEA). They are used as emulsifiers, foaming agents, and to control the pH of many products such as soaps, hair dyes and makeup. The chief concern with these ingredients is the risk of nitrosamines being released when mixed with certain preservatives. The National Toxicology Program’s Report on Carcinogens has found that nitrosamines can cause liver and kidney cancer. DEA can also accumulate in tissues, causing reproductive and neurological problems.

DEET
is a pesticide whose full name is N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide, and it is most commonly found in insect repellents. Health Canada has banned products with DEET concentrations over 30 % due to the fact that it is absorbed through the skin and affects the central nervous system, leading to motor skill, learning, and memory deficits.

Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents
used as preservatives in many cosmetics and are recognized as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Cancer Research. Formaldehyde in cosmetics may be inhaled or absorbed into the skin and can be an irritant at low doses.

Lanolin
is a waxy substance secreted by wool-bearing animals and is harvested from the wool after shearing. Lanolin in its pure form is not problematic, however, it can be tainted with chemicals that are present in the animal’s environment (pesticides, herbicides, etc.), or be contaminated with additives such as bleach used to whiten the product, or mineral or vegetable oils that have been poorly refined.

Mineral Oil
is used in cosmetics as a moisturizer. It is often contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been classified by the European Union as possibly carcinogenic. Another reason we avoid this ingredient is that petroleum-derived ingredients are non-renewable and are therefore not a sustainable ingredient option.

Nanoparticles
are particles that measure 100 nanometres or less; 1 millionth of a millimetre. They are used in cosmetics such as mineral sunscreens, to reduce their appearance on the skin. However, very little research has been conducted in regards to nanoparticles, which are capable of penetrating the skin much faster than regular-sized particles, and build up inside body tissues. Since there are so many unknowns in regards to nanoparticles, we have chosen to omit them from our products.

Parabens
are used as preservatives and fragrance ingredients. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption classifies parabens as hormone disruptors because they can mimic estrogen and cause reproductive problems.

PEG Compounds
PEGs (polyethylene Glycols) are petroleum-derived cosmetic ingredients used primarily as thickeners, softeners, and solvents. The issue with PEGs is that they are often contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which have been identified as known (ethylene oxide) and possible (1,4-dioxane) human carcinogens by the International Agency for Cancer Research.

Petrolatum
is mineral oil in jelly form and is used in cosmetics as a moisturizer. It is often contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been classified by the European Union as possibly carcinogenic. Another reason we avoid this ingredient is that petroleum-derived ingredients are non-renewable and are therefore not a sustainable ingredient option.

Phenoxyethanol
is a preservative agent and fragrance ingredient in many cosmetic products, often as a replacement for parabens. It is an irritant that affects the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, and is suspected of being a reproductive toxin that affects not only the parents, but the offspring as well.

Phthalates
are plasticizers that are used in cosmetics to make them stick, such as in hairsprays, nail polishes, deodorants, and perfumes. Phthalates can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and accumulate in tissues, damaging organs and causing reproductive problems.

Propylene Glycol and Butylene Glycol
are organic alcohols used in cosmetics as humectants, fragrance ingredients, and skin conditioners. They are known skin sensitizers, causing allergic reactions, especially in individuals with skin issues, such as eczema. Organ damage and cell mutation are also suspected.

Silicones
are made from silicon and oxygen and are used in creams, hair products, and foundations. While pure silicone is non-toxic, several silicone-based ingredients such as Cyclomethicone (and ingredients ending in ‘’siloxane’’) have been classified by the European Union as endocrine disruptors and reproductive toxins. As a precautionary measure, we prefer to omit all silicones in our formulations.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate
class of surfactants used to create lather in soaps, shampoos, and cleansers. They are irritants that affect the skin, eyes, and respiratory system, and can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane during the manufacturing process. Ethylene oxide has been identified as a known human carcinogen, and 1,4 dioxan is a possible human carcinogen.

Sunscreen Chemicals
also known as chemical sunscreens, these include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Concerns about these ingredients include hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and accumulation in body tissues. Chemical sunscreens can also be less stable in sunlight when improperly formulated, increasing the risk of sunburns, wrinkles, and skin cancer.

Synthetic Colours
are colours sourced from inorganic compounds (FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Green No. 3, etc.) and are used in countless personal care products. Synthetic colours are irritants to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Research has suggested that prolonged exposure to synthetic colours, if ingested, affect the kidneys and liver, and increase white blood cell count (indicating inflammation).

Synthetic Fragrances and Perfumes
are mixtures of up to hundreds of ingredients that are used to scent skin care products. Fragrances are considered trade secrets and as a result, companies are not required to disclose what goes into them. Problematic ingredients include phthalates, allergens and synthetic musks. Health problems depend on the ingredients used and range from allergic reactions to hormone disruption.

Talc
also known as talcum powder, talc is a mineral used to keep skin dry and smooth. Inhalation of talc dust irritates the lungs and causes inflammation. In industrial settings, prolonged exposure to talc dust can cause lung cancer. Talc is also suspected of causing ovarian and endometrial cancer in women who use talc-based products for personal hygiene.

Triclosan
is used as an antibacterial and preservative agent in many cosmetic products, including cleansers, soaps, and deodorants. Triclosan can be absorbed into the skin and is suspected of being a hormone disruptor, as well as a contributor to antibiotic-resistant bacteria by the Canadian Medical Association.



Aluminum Chlorohydrate
Benzoyl Peroxide
BHA and BHT
Coal Tar Dyes
Cocamide
DEA, MEA, TEA
DEET
Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde Releasers
Lanolin
Mineral Oil
Parabens
PEG Compounds
Petrolatum
Phenoxyethanol
Phthalates
Propylene Glycol & Butylene Glycol
Silicone
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Talc
Triclosan
Nanoparticles
Synthetic Fragrances or Perfume
Synthetic Pigments and Colours
Sunscreen Chemicals
Triclosan


Aluminum Chlorohydrate
is a type of aluminum salt that is found in deodorants and antiperspirants. This ingredient has been suspected of increasing the risk of breast cancer.

Benzoyl Peroxide
is a member of the peroxide family and is used in cosmetics as a bleaching agent and anti-acne treatment. It is a known skin, eye, and respiratory system irritant that can cause allergic and asthma-like reactions at low doses.

BHA and BHT
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are a class of synthetic antioxidants that are used as preservatives. BHA has been classified as a potential carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Cancer, and BHT has been suspected of being a hormone disruptor by The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption, which causes reproductive problems.

Coal Tar Dyes
are derived from bituminous coal and petroleum distillates. They are used in many cosmetics to deposit colour (such as hair dyes and lipsticks). Coal tar dyes are suspected of being carcinogens (pure coal tar is a recognized carcinogen), and are toxic to the brain when contaminated with heavy metals.

Cocamide
is used to give cosmetics a creamy consistency and create lather. Cocamide is found in cleansers, soaps, and shampoos. It causes mild to moderate skin and eye irritation and long-term exposure has been linked to liver cancer and pre-cancerous skin and thyroid conditions. The International Agency for Cancer research has listed cocamide as a possible human carcinogen.

DEA, MEA, TEA
also known as Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), and Triethanolamine (TEA). They are used as emulsifiers, foaming agents, and to control the pH of many products such as soaps, hair dyes and makeup. The chief concern with these ingredients is the risk of nitrosamines being released when mixed with certain preservatives. The National Toxicology Program’s Report on Carcinogens has found that nitrosamines can cause liver and kidney cancer. DEA can also accumulate in tissues, causing reproductive and neurological problems.

DEET
is a pesticide whose full name is N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide, and it is most commonly found in insect repellents. Health Canada has banned products with DEET concentrations over 30 % due to the fact that it is absorbed through the skin and affects the central nervous system, leading to motor skill, learning, and memory deficits.

Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents
used as preservatives in many cosmetics and are recognized as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Cancer Research. Formaldehyde in cosmetics may be inhaled or absorbed into the skin and can be an irritant at low doses.

Lanolin
is a waxy substance secreted by wool-bearing animals and is harvested from the wool after shearing. Lanolin in its pure form is not problematic, however, it can be tainted with chemicals that are present in the animal’s environment (pesticides, herbicides, etc.), or be contaminated with additives such as bleach used to whiten the product, or mineral or vegetable oils that have been poorly refined.

Mineral Oil
is used in cosmetics as a moisturizer. It is often contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been classified by the European Union as possibly carcinogenic. Another reason we avoid this ingredient is that petroleum-derived ingredients are non-renewable and are therefore not a sustainable ingredient option.

Nanoparticles
are particles that measure 100 nanometres or less; 1 millionth of a millimetre. They are used in cosmetics such as mineral sunscreens, to reduce their appearance on the skin. However, very little research has been conducted in regards to nanoparticles, which are capable of penetrating the skin much faster than regular-sized particles, and build up inside body tissues. Since there are so many unknowns in regards to nanoparticles, we have chosen to omit them from our products.

Parabens
are used as preservatives and fragrance ingredients. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption classifies parabens as hormone disruptors because they can mimic estrogen and cause reproductive problems.

PEG Compounds
PEGs (polyethylene Glycols) are petroleum-derived cosmetic ingredients used primarily as thickeners, softeners, and solvents. The issue with PEGs is that they are often contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which have been identified as known (ethylene oxide) and possible (1,4-dioxane) human carcinogens by the International Agency for Cancer Research.

Petrolatum
is mineral oil in jelly form and is used in cosmetics as a moisturizer. It is often contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been classified by the European Union as possibly carcinogenic. Another reason we avoid this ingredient is that petroleum-derived ingredients are non-renewable and are therefore not a sustainable ingredient option.

Phenoxyethanol
is a preservative agent and fragrance ingredient in many cosmetic products, often as a replacement for parabens. It is an irritant that affects the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, and is suspected of being a reproductive toxin that affects not only the parents, but the offspring as well.

Phthalates
are plasticizers that are used in cosmetics to make them stick, such as in hairsprays, nail polishes, deodorants, and perfumes. Phthalates can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and accumulate in tissues, damaging organs and causing reproductive problems.

Propylene Glycol and Butylene Glycol
are organic alcohols used in cosmetics as humectants, fragrance ingredients, and skin conditioners. They are known skin sensitizers, causing allergic reactions, especially in individuals with skin issues, such as eczema. Organ damage and cell mutation are also suspected.

Silicones
are made from silicon and oxygen and are used in creams, hair products, and foundations. While pure silicone is non-toxic, several silicone-based ingredients such as Cyclomethicone (and ingredients ending in ‘’siloxane’’) have been classified by the European Union as endocrine disruptors and reproductive toxins. As a precautionary measure, we prefer to omit all silicones in our formulations.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate
class of surfactants used to create lather in soaps, shampoos, and cleansers. They are irritants that affect the skin, eyes, and respiratory system, and can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane during the manufacturing process. Ethylene oxide has been identified as a known human carcinogen, and 1,4 dioxan is a possible human carcinogen.

Sunscreen Chemicals
also known as chemical sunscreens, these include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Concerns about these ingredients include hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and accumulation in body tissues. Chemical sunscreens can also be less stable in sunlight when improperly formulated, increasing the risk of sunburns, wrinkles, and skin cancer.

Synthetic Colours
are colours sourced from inorganic compounds (FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Green No. 3, etc.) and are used in countless personal care products. Synthetic colours are irritants to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Research has suggested that prolonged exposure to synthetic colours, if ingested, affect the kidneys and liver, and increase white blood cell count (indicating inflammation).

Synthetic Fragrances and Perfumes
are mixtures of up to hundreds of ingredients that are used to scent skin care products. Fragrances are considered trade secrets and as a result, companies are not required to disclose what goes into them. Problematic ingredients include phthalates, allergens and synthetic musks. Health problems depend on the ingredients used and range from allergic reactions to hormone disruption.

Talc
also known as talcum powder, talc is a mineral used to keep skin dry and smooth. Inhalation of talc dust irritates the lungs and causes inflammation. In industrial settings, prolonged exposure to talc dust can cause lung cancer. Talc is also suspected of causing ovarian and endometrial cancer in women who use talc-based products for personal hygiene.

Triclosan
is used as an antibacterial and preservative agent in many cosmetic products, including cleansers, soaps, and deodorants. Triclosan can be absorbed into the skin and is suspected of being a hormone disruptor, as well as a contributor to antibiotic-resistant bacteria by the Canadian Medical Association.