What to look for
on the label
At Clean Beauty Collective, we believe that “clean beauty” is about providing you with products that are not harmful to you or the environment, starting with the ingredients that are not found in any of the products we sell.
Clean also means ethically safe and none of our products are tested on animals. We work closely with each of our partnered brands to ensure that they aren’t including any of our black listed ingredients in the products they create and are working with companies that are sourcing and manufacturing ethically in every part of their supply chain.
Our list of “Dirty Ingredients” is ever evolving and regularly updated by our team of experts who are researching daily on new advancements in the green beauty space.
Ingredients matter and we have become more aware of food ingredients and what we eat. That’s why we’re strict about the ones we allow in our products. Our skin is our largest organ absorbing 70 percent of what we put on it, so we should be aware of what ingredients we are feeding it. Ingredients, however, can be hard to decipher, so we have created a Dirty Ingredients List and follow a strict step-by-step process to testing and ensuring these ingredients are not contained in any of the products we stock.
We only offer products made with safe, beneficial ingredients—because beauty should be easy and enjoyable.
Ingredient
Animal By-Products including Animal Oils and Fats, Animal Musks
Excludes Lanolin and Bee Products.
Why is it used?
A range of animal by-products are used in cosmetics, skincare products, nail polishes and hair products for various reasons.
Why we should avoid it
Highly allergenic. Ethics around the treatment of animals.
What to look for on the label
- Stearic Acid (only animal derived)
- Shellac
- Guanin
- Squalene (only animal derived)
- Tallow
- Animal Hair (Accessories)
- Hydrolyzed Silk
- Keratin
- Lactoferrin
Ingredient
BHA
Why is it used?
A waxy solid found in a variety of cosmetics as a preservative and stabiliser. Acts as an antioxidant and fragrance ingredient. Commonly found in lipstick and eye shadow.
Why we should avoid it
Linked to cancer, skin irritation and hormone disruption.
What to look for on the label
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
Ingredient
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Why is it used?
Used as a preservative and acts as an antioxidant and fragrance ingredient.
Why we should avoid it
A toluene-based ingredient linked to irritation of the skin, eyes or lungs.
What to look for on the label
- BHT
Ingredient
Chemical Sunscreens
Why is it used?
Chemical Sunscreens include harmful ingredients such as oxybenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and oxtinoxate to protect skin from harmful UV rays.
Why we should avoid it
Linked to hormone disruption
What to look for on the label
- Benzophenone
- Diphenylmethanone Diphenyl Ketone
- 119-61-9
- Benzoylbenzene
- Phenyl Ketone
- Oxybenzone
- 2-Hydroxy-4 Methoxybenzophenone 131-57-7
- Benzophenone-3
- (2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxyphenyl)
Ingredient
EDTA
Why is it used?
Chelating Agents
(binding agent)
Why we should avoid it
Harmful to the environment as they do not break down.
What to look for on the label
- Calcium Disodium EDTA
- Tetrasodium EDTA
- Trisodium EDTA
Ingredient
Ethanolamines
Why is it used?
Used in cosmetics as an emulsifier or foaming agent.
Why we should avoid it
Linked to cancer
What to look for on the label
Triethanolamine
Diethanolamine
DEA
TEA
ETA
Cocamide DEA
Cocamide MEA
DEA-cetyl phosphate
DEA oleth-3 phosphate
Lauramide DEA
Linoleamide MEA
Myristamide DEA
Oleamide DEA
Stearamide MEA
TEA-lauryl sulfate [2]
Ingredient
Ethoxylated Ingredients
These are generally contaminated with 1, 4-Dioxane (a carcinogen and nerve toxin)
Why is it used?
Synthetically produced ingredients using Ethylene Oxide (a known carcinogen). Used as a solvent and stabiliser in skin care and hair care products including shampoo, liquid soap, bubble bath and hair relaxers.
Why we should avoid it
A known carcinogen (causes cancer).
What to look for on the label
Ethoylated compounds are found in these ingredients and should be avoided :
PEGS, including PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) compounds, like PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-40, and its related chemicals. (There are over 1000 PEG ingredients listed in the international Nomenclature of Cosmetics Ingredients Database)
Polysorbate-40
Steareth-20
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Laueth Sulfate, and most ingredients ending in “-eth”
Ingredient
Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
Why is it used?
Formaldehyde is released by several cosmetic preservatives.
Why we should avoid it
Carcinogenic.
Causes irritation of the skin, eyes or lungs.
What to look for on the label
Releasers include :
Dmdm Hydantoin
Diazolidinyl Urea
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin
Quaternium-15
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
Polyoxymethylene Urea
5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3 Dioxane
Glyoxal
Methenamine
Benzylhemiformal
Ingredient
Hydroquinone
Why is it used?
Found in skin lighteners, skin cleansers, facial moisturisers, hair conditioners and finger nail coating products.
Why we should avoid it
Causes skin irritation and discolouration. Lung irritation. Linked to organ toxicity and cancer – the ingredient is a metabolite of the carcinogen benzene.
What to look for on the label
Hydroquinone
Ingredient
Methyl Cellosolve or 2-MethoxyethanolWhy is it used?
Used as an additive in perfumesWhy we should avoid it
It can cause skin irritation and may cause effects on the central nervous system, blood, bone marrow, kidneys and liver. This ingredient is banned in the EU.Ingredient
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT)Why is it used?
Widely used preservatives found in liquid cosmetics and personal care products.Why we should avoid it
Inhalation toxicity, allergies and possible neurotoxicity. These ingredients have been banned in leave-on skin products in the EU.What to look for on the label
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) :- 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one
- Neolone 950 preservative
- MI
- OriStar MIT
- Microcare MT
- 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one
Ingredient
ParabensWhy is it used?
Found in Shampoos, conditioners, moisturisers, facial and shower cleansers and scrubs.Why we should avoid it
Linked to hormone disruption and cancer.What to look for on the label
- Ethylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Other ingredients ending in -paraben
Ingredient
Petrolatum and ParaffinWhy is it used?
Found in a range of cosmetics.Why we should avoid it
These ingredients are petroleum distillation by-products. They are banned because of unsustainable sourcing and possible PAHs contamination. PAH (Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons) are linked to cancer. These ingredients can be comedogenic to the skin.What to look for on the label
- Petrolatum
- Petroleum Jelly
- Paraffin Oil
- Paraffin Wax
- Mineral Oil
- White Petrolatum
Ingredient
Phthalates
Why is it used?
Found in colour cosmetics, fragranced moisturisers, body washes, hair care products and nail polish.
Why we should avoid it
Linked to hormone disruption and cancer.
What to look for on the label
Phthalate
DEP
DBP
DEHP
Fragrance (Synthetic)
Ingredient
ResorcinolWhy is it used?
Most common in hair dyes, also in shampoos/hair lotions, peels and in products used to treat acne, eczema and other dermatological issues.Why we should avoid it
Linked to skin and eye irritation, allergies and hormone disruption.What to look for on the label
- Resorcinol
- 1,3-benzenediol
- Resorcin
- 1,3-dihydroxybenzene (m-hydroxybenze, m-dihydroxyphenol)
Ingredient
Toluene
Why is it used?
Found in nail polish, nail treatments and hair dyes.
Why we should avoid it
Toxic to the immune and reproductive system.
What to look for on the label
Toluene
Ingredient
Triclosan and Triclocarban
Why is it used?
Found in deodorants, shaving products, creams and colour cosmetics.
Used as an antibacterial and preservative.
Why we should avoid it
Linked with hormone disruption and harmful to the environment.
What to look for on the label
Triclosan (TSC)
Triclocarban (TCC)
