Ingredients We Avoid

These are synthetic preservative that are widely found in skin care and in 2010 were found to be present in 44% of available cosmetic products.

Common names to look for on the labels include benzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, heptylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben

Increasingly controversial they do not break down in the environment and are increasingly accumulating in the natural world. There has also
been concern about their potential estrogenic activity in the body.

These are inexpensive foaming agents commonly found in shampoos and cleansers

Common names to look out for include Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

There are many rumours about the toxicity of Sodium laurel sulphate on the internet but none are scientifically substantiated. The main reason to avoid these ingredients is that they can be an irritant to the natural oil barrier of the skin causing skin irritation and leading to a loss of moisture in the skin.

Mineral oil also known as liquid paraffin is often used in poor quality cosmetic products due to its low price.

Common names to look out for include mineral oil, paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, petroleum, paraffin oil.

We only use plant based oils that allow the skin to breath and do not block the pores the way mineral oil does.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals commonly in soaps cleansers and shampoos

Common names to look for are dibutylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), and diethylphthalate (DEP)

Research suggest they may disrupt hormone systems and so should be avoided in all natural products.

Ethanolamines are used as stabilisers, emulsifiers and foaming agents in many lotions and creams

Commone names include diethanolamine (DEA), nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), TEA-Lauryl sulfate, MEA, DEA-cetyl phosphate, LinoleamideMAE

Some Ethanolamines are irritants to the eyes and skin while others in particular DEA can react with other ingredients to form a potent carcinogen. They are best avoided in all beauty products.

Silicones are included in some topical products to alter their texture so they feel better on the skin.

Names to look out for include cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone and dimethicone copolyol.

They are non biodegradable so should be avoided for environmental concerns alone but they also form a barrier against the skin which affects the skins ability to breath and detoxify.

Unless you have been living off planet for the last few years you will have heard of the environmental damage the palm industry is doing to forest through out the third world.

White Lotus never uses palm oil in any of its products. Not only is it unethical but it is a poor quality oil for cosmetics and is better replaced by high quality oils like green tea oil which do not block the pores.

These are plants and animals that have had their DNA altered to increase growth or provide other supposed benefits. Legally manufacturers do not currently have to identify ingredients as genetically modified so it is often hard to tell if a product contains GMO’s

The long term effects of this global experiment remain unknown. White Lotus does not use any GMO ingredients in any of its products.

Synthetic fragrances are considered some of the most toxic substances in the modern world. White Lotus never uses any synthetic fragrances in any of its products.

This is a growing area for concern. In an effort to distinguish themselves in a busy marketplace more and more cosmetic brands are turning to brash colours to increase sales.

Many of the synthetic dyes used can cause skin irritation and worse they can absorb through the skin and cause other internal health problems. Many dyes which are banned in foods are still legal in cosmetic products.

Dyes are hard to detect on labels. In some cases there may be an unusual chemical sounding name while in others they will be listed as ‘Green 6’ for example. The is the manufacturers name for the dye and does not explain which chemicals are used to create the dye.

If in doubt avoid products containing any form of synthetic dyes they are never necessary.