Chemical Nasty List

We have sourced all the products sold on this site from the most natural and organic suppliers to ensure that there are no nasty hidden chemicals which can be found in many cosmetics and skin care ranges. (All the products we sell have NOT been tested on animals).

Below is a brief list of some of the potentially damaging chemicals used in skin/hair care products that you will not find in any products sold by Yours by Nature:

Paraben preservatives (butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben)

Other than being considered as a skin irritant the paraben family of preservatives was recently linked to breast cancer.

 Sodium laureth/lauryl Sulfate (SLES/SLS)

Found in 90% of commercial shampoos and many other health and beauty items – also found in industrial cleaners.

Transported through the bloodstream, SLS/SLES can build up in the heart, liver, lungs, brain and eyes. It can be retained in tissues for a long time and can cause the following effects:

• Cancer – SLS/SLES reacts with other chemicals to form cancer-causing nitrosamines and dioxane
• Endocrine (hormone) disruption
• Eye damage – SLS is especially readily absorbed into the cells of the eyes (through absorption through the roots of the hair, not direct eye contact) – particularly damaging in children
• Hair loss – harsh enough to attack the hair follicle
• Dry skin

 Alkyloamides – identified on skin-care products as follows:

• Diethanolamine (DEA)
• Triethanolamine(TEA) and sometimes preceded by ‘cocamide’

Primarily used as a foam-booster in shampoos, but can also be used as thickening or binding agents, Triethanolamine is used as a ph balancer. Some evidence suggests that they can be skin irritants. In addition, Alkyloamides contain a free amine that can combine with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in cosmetics, and there is concern that they may form nitrosamines (carcinogens).

Cocaine MEA

Used to make shampoo lather in a foam that would otherwise be impossible – known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Cocamide MEA contains momoethanolamine which reacts with SLS/SLES to produce the carcinogen nitrosamine.

Imidazolidinyl Urea (Trade name Germall) and Diazolidinyl Urea

These are the most commonly used preservatives after the parabens and are linked to skin sensitivity.

Synthetic Colours

Watch out for D & C and FD & C which are carcinogenic and always unnecessary 

Refined Petroleum – petrolatum, mineral oil, glycerol and liquid paraffin

They are of little benefit to the skin and can create a surface film on the skin and block pores, holding moisture in, but preventing the skin from secreting toxins. These chemicals can cause problems with eczema and dermatitis sufferers and can actually accelerate the ageing process by encouraging free-radical generation.

Petroleum derivatives include: propylene glycol (PPG) and butylenes glycol which have been linked to skin sensitivity. (Causing dermatitis, liver abnormalities & kidney damage in animal studies).

Benzoic Acid

A preservative and solvent which contains carcinogenic enzene rings and toluene, which are also thought to be hormone disrupters and to cause birth defects.

Lanolin

Bi product of sheep wool that due to pesticide residue has been linked to skin sensitivity

Methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN)

No safe levels have been established, although it is still commonly used.

Nanoparticles

Thought to disrupt body chemistry 

Take care when choosing your organic and natural products - many items being sold as natural still contain many of the chemicals listed above.  We have chosen our suppliers with great care to ensure that the products we sell are 100% natural and many are as much as 100% organic, so you can shop at Yours by Nature with confidence.