Ingredients we will never have:
Petroleum or Petroleum derivative. That includes mineral oil, petrolatum, white petroleum, paraffin wax or paraffin oil.
The moisture barrier created by using petroleum based ingredients is not breathable and can trap bacteria and fungus on the skin allowing it to flourish. Petrolatum (mineral oil jelly) may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are carcinogens and also xenoestrogens which may have endocrine disrupting potential.
Phthalates, dibutylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP)
The European Union has banned the use of this family of chemicals in consumer goods as they have been associated with toxic effects on reproductive health. No such ban currently exists in North America.
Parabens: methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben, isobutyl-, butyl-, isopropyl- and propylparaben)
Parabens are a group of chemicals that are used as artificial preservatives. Some studies suggest that parabens may disrupt hormones in the body harming fertility and reproductive organs and may increase the risk of cancer.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG Compounds) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) & Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. Further, ethylene oxide can harm the nervous system. Depending on the process used to produce PEG compounds and SLES, these chemicals may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
The California Environmental Protection Agency has listed both ingredients as a developmental toxicant based on evidence that it may interfere with human development.
Further, PEG compounds may function as a penetration enhancer which will allow harmful ingredients to be absorbed more readily through the skin.
When used in cosmetics, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a related detergent to SLES, can cause skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation.
Triclosan and Triclocarban
Triclosan and triclocarbon have similar properties. The Food and Drug Administration does not recognize triclosan nor triclocarban as generally regarded as safe and effective for antiseptic products. Some short-term animal studies have shown that exposure to high doses of triclosan is associated with a decrease in the levels of some thyroid hormones. Other studies have raised the possibility that exposure to triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics and that it may be harmful to the immune system.
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists BHA as a possible human carcinogen. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has also listed BHA as a category 1 priority substance, based on evidence that it interferes with hormone function. BHA may cause allergic reactions in the skin.
