Ingredients we avoid
According to the American Chemical Society, approximately 85% of health, beauty, and personal care products contain synthetic preservatives. They are not a necessary ingredient in cosmetic products, but they are widely used to extend the shelf life of products.
They appear with different names on labels, most common are: benzyl paraben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutyl paraben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben
Parabens are surrounded by
controversy because of their chemical structure, which is similar to that of estrogens, who is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive problems
The primary use for sulphates in products to offer a stronger impression of cleaning power, commonly found in shampoos and cleansers.
The common names used for them are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Sulphates can irritate your eyes, skin, and lungs, especially with long-term use.
Many beauty products that
contain sulfates are tested on animals to measure the level of
irritation to people's skin, and this strongly opposes to our
philosophy.
Mineral oils and petroleum are "occlusive" agents, which means they seal off the skin from air, water or anything else. When they are applied on the skin, they form an invisible film on the surface that blocks the
pores and the skin's natural respiration process.
The common names used for them are mineral oil, paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, petroleum, paraffin oil.
White Lotus products are made only from plant-based oils that allow your skin to breath
Phthalates are a group of chemicals commonly found colour cosmetics, fragranced lotions, body washes.
The common names to look for are dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP).
Studies have suggested that phthalates are believed to be an
endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) that can alter the hormonal balance and potentially cause reproductive, developmental and other health issues.
Ethanolamines are ammonia compounds used as emulsifiers or foaming agents in many lotions and creams.
The common names used for them are diethanolamine (DEA),
nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), TEA-Lauryl sulfate, MEA, DEA-cetyl phosphate, LinoleamideMAE.
They offer absolutely
no benefit to the skin, and some of them may lead to harm, such as Ethanolamines who are highly irritants to the eyes and skin. They should be avoided in all beauty products.
Silicones are used in cosmetic creams to give the illusion of a silky, spreadable texture, but are only a temporary surface effect.
The common used for them is cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone and dimethicone copolyol.
They form a barrier over your skin which blocks your pores, doesn't let the skin to breathe and detoxify.
The palm oil industry harms the environment. In order to make room for more palm oil plantations, thousands of kilometres of rainforest are burned every year. Because of this, White Lotus strongly opposes using palm oil in any of its products. It's unethical, and it doesn't represent our values. Moreover, it is a poor quality oil for cosmetic
purposes, and we prefer to replace it with high-quality oils, such as green tea oil which doesn't block the pores.
GMO's stands for Genetically Modified Organism. A GMO is an organism whose genetic material has been altered with the purpose to increase growth or provide other supposed benefits. Therefore, they are unnatural, and White Lotus doesn't use GMO ingredients in any of its products.
There are many common ingredients used in cosmetics
that could be GMO. Some of them are corn starch, glycerin, alcohol, vegetable protein, amino acids.
The best way to protect yourself from products containing GMO is to look on the label for "GMO free".
Synthetic fragrances are linked to a growing number of health risks.
Multiple research studies have shown that chemicals used to make fragrances are classified as allergens, hormone disruptors, asthma triggers, neurotoxins & carcinogens.
White Lotus doesn't use fragrance chemicals, and you should avoid them. Like any other toxic chemicals, they can pass from your skin and into your blood.
Manufacturers often use only one word, "fragrance", on the label, but it can hide a cocktail of more than 100 toxic ingredients.
They are used in cosmetics to make the products "pretty", but synthetic colours should be avoided at all costs because many of them can be carcinogenic. They usually appear listed on labels as FD&C or D&C, followed by a colour and a number. You may also see just the colour and number, such as "Yellow 6." The toxins of artificial colours increase your skin sensitivity and risk of irritation. They can also block your pores, which leads to a higher risk of acne.