There are several types of parabens; some of them are prohibited (,isopropylparaben e isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, benzylparaben, pentylparaben), others are not very advisable (Butylparaben and propylparaben), and finally some are allowed at low concentrations (Methylparaben and ethylparaben). Some of them have been linked to cancer and to potential endocrine disruptors at high doses. They have been ruled out because, as a controversial and confusing group of ingredients, and since they are no longer used, we prefer to add them to the list for consumers' peace of mind

Main preservative, obtained through an environmentally unfriendly process from phenol (a petroleum derivative) and ethylene oxide (carcinogenic). It is allowed up to 1%. It has been linked to skin irritation, dermatitis, rashes, eczema, and hives. In severe cases: kidney and liver damage, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity.

It is still unclear whether adverse effects can occur from buildup over the years. This is a worrying factor considering that it is present in many products, and although the concentration may be below 1%, several cosmetic products are often applied to the same area, so it is no longer a true 1%. This is not taken into account in studies, since it is only tested as if you were applying 1 product at a time

Preservative better known as methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone. Its use is prohibited except in rinse-off products under the restriction in Europe: V/57 V/39, which allows it to be used at a concentration of 0.0015%. It is considered an allergen.

Preservative with antibacterial properties. It is so potent that it can create more resistant bacteria and reduce the effect of other preservatives. It may affect the immune system and is an endocrine disruptor with possible disruptive effects on the thyroid gland and fertility. On the other hand, it has a negative impact on the environment.

Prohibited in cosmetic products except in toothpaste, hand and body soap, and stick deodorants at maximum concentrations of 0.3%.

As this is a product that is prohibited when repeatedly exposed on the skin, it has been added to the list as a precaution, although it is allowed in certain products.

Formaldehyde is prohibited in cosmetics because it is CMR (carcinogenic). But even if it does not appear as such, there are certain ingredients that can react with the formula and break down into formaldehyde. To prevent it from forming, they are added to the list.

It is a chelating compound that helps make a product more stable by capturing ions and supports the preservative system. It is present in most cosmetics but is harmful to the environment. Biodegradable alternatives exist.

Talc is not a harmful ingredient, but if it contains asbestos, even in small amounts, it can cause cancer. Talc is safe if it is free of asbestos, but to avoid taking the risk, it is added to the list.

Ingredient with an action against body odor. Its action focuses on blocking sweat glands so you don’t sweat. There are studies showing its absorption, and some have found a link between these salts and breast cancer. According to the scientific committee, they are considered safe at certain concentrations because there is not enough evidence, but at all yours we avoid including them for safety and peace of mind.

The antioxidants BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) are substances that help prevent the formula from degrading, and are especially common in perfumes. There are several studies linking them to irritation, allergies, and endocrine disruption at high doses, and they may also be possible carcinogens. In addition, BHT and BHA are a concern because of their high bioaccumulation in marine environments and the resulting toxicity. Despite all this, they are permitted at low concentrations in some cosmetics. After gathering all this information, it was decided to add it to the list.

They are systems of a truly tiny size, at the nanoscale, that help optimize the concentration, penetration, and stability of certain ingredients. In the case of sunscreen filters, photosensitivity and effectiveness are improved. It is with nanoencapsulated sunscreen filters that most of the controversy over their adverse effects lies. The scientific committee prohibits nano filters in aerosols and sprays because they are carcinogenic by inhalation, but they are permitted in all other cases.

In this case, the controversy arises in sun care products because of the penetration of the filters, and at all yours we assure you that our sun care products do not contain nano filters.

Their main function is as detergents, and their biggest problem is that they are precursors of nitrosamines, carcinogenic substances. They also harm the environment because of their high bioaccumulation, and the manufacturing process is not very eco-friendly because it uses ethylene oxide. One of them (DEA, diethanolamine) is banned.

A solvent of petrochemical origin found in nail lacquers, which gives them that distinctive smell. But be careful, because it is a toxic substance that affects many organs, including those related to reproduction. That is why we are always looking for safer alternatives for our customers.

The great enemies of soaps. Today there is a lot of debate about these surfactants. They are ingredients with very strong cleansing power but also a high potential for irritation. They do their job as cleansers so well that they often take away more than just dirt, such as part of the skin’s outer layer.

Because they are so powerful, continued use can cause irritation and dryness in both the skin and the hair. There are several sulfates on the market, but the main ones are SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate). SLS can be made from petroleum or from coconut or palm oil. SLES (less irritating) is created by ethoxylating SLS and may contain traces of 1,4-dioxane (carcinogenic).

Today there are many natural alternatives, or formulas with high percentages of natural ingredients, that are more respectful of our skin and hair.

Hydroquinone is banned throughout Europe because of the side effects associated with prolonged use. One of hydroquinone’s derivatives, resorcinol, is also frowned upon. It is mainly used in hair products, although its use is permitted in low concentrations; it is suspected of being a possible endocrine disruptor.

PEG stands for polyethylene glycol, synthetic derivatives of petroleum. They come in various sizes and functions, but the reason they appear on this list comes from other causes. To start with, the manufacturing process can produce PEGs with contaminants such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane (harmful to health). In addition, the process is very unecological, as is the ingredient itself, since it is toxic to the environment because it is considered microplastic.

Organic filters are absorbed by the skin in order to do their job, and many of them have been debated over the years, both for health and environmental reasons. Their permitted concentration also varies widely from country to country. Some examples of the most commonly used ones:

• Benzophenones: there are different types such as benzophenone-3, oxybenzone. According to more recent studies, oxybenzone causes contact dermatitis and has been detected in urine and blood samples, but without any notable possible endocrine effects. It is also photosensitizing and must include a warning. Its contribution to reef bleaching has also been studied.
• Avobenzone: it is photounstable and loses effectiveness when exposed to light; it breaks down into unknown substances.
• Octocrylene: possible endocrine disruptor, can cause dermatitis, and is also persistent and bioaccumulative in marine life.
• PABA and derivatives: possible endocrine disruptor, ecotoxic, and pollutes the environment.
• Salicylates: homosalate is highly polluting and a possible endocrine disruptor; it also breaks down into harmful substances.
• Cinnamate: including octinoxate, which contributes to coral reef bleaching.

There are many other chemical filters on the market, many of which are not banned but are restricted. The problem is that often there are not enough studies to determine whether these filters could become harmful at the concentrations we use them at, and that is why at all yours we choose to use only physical filters, since they are not absorbed into the skin because their main function is to create a protective barrier against the sun’s rays.

Silicones are polymers with siloxane chains, made up of silicon, oxygen, and various side chains. Depending on their length, they can be volatile, liquid, or solid. They have many cosmetic properties: emulsifying (mixing water and oil), emollient (softening skin and hair), or forming protective layers. Their manufacture is not very eco-friendly, they may contain traces of 1,4-dioxane (a carcinogen), and they are also not biodegradable. Some of them are banned, such as cyclomethicone D4 (because it is carcinogenic and ecotoxic).

They are ingredients used mainly for their silky feel on skin and hair. At all yours, we go for more environmentally respectful and natural alternatives with better acceptance and less controversy.

If you’ve ever done a physical exfoliation, you’ll have noticed tiny particles on the skin. In many products, these particles are plastics. That’s because they’re cheap, inert, and easy to choose in terms of shape, size, and other properties. But the main problem comes when you rinse the product off and all those plastics go down the drain. Little by little, they build up and, because they’re not biodegradable, they end up polluting the environment.

We prefer to support a more sustainable kind of exfoliation, using more natural particles such as by-products from the food industry: fruit or vegetable seeds.

Cosmetics use many petroleum derivatives to make formulas more economical and for their sensory profiles, such as paraffin, crystalline wax, petrolatum, and mineral oils. All of these help create a layer on the skin or hair, but they do not provide hydration or emollience either. If you are not consistent with cleansing in your routine, they can build up and end up clogging pores and making your hair greasy. It is also important to ensure the purity of the ingredient so that it does not contain impurities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (toxic substances). Depending on each person’s situation, they can be useful, affordable ingredients and therefore we consider them gray ingredients.

We prefer more natural alternatives, such as vegetable oils that provide emollience while also caring for our skin and hair.