On average, women use 12 beauty and personal care products a day, which can amount to over 160 different chemical ingredients daily. Men generally using half of that, translates into more than 80 chemicals per day.
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With all these ingredients being applied directly on our skin, the largest and one of the most permeable organs in our body, it should come as no surprise that allergies, hormonal problems, and other skin and health complications are more common than ever before.
At SQIN Ø we have deliberately chosen to ban many widely used ingredients in beauty and personal care products because we consider them a threat.
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Here are 20 the most commonly used nasties that you will never find in any of our products.
Artificial
Fragrance
Products with artificial fragrance or perfume (not derived from natural essential oils) can contain hundreds of chemicals that have been known to trigger allergic reactions. We deliberately choose to avoid them because they can produce hormonal imbalances and are shown in some studies to be obesogenic.
Phthalates
Are used to help cosmetics stick to your skin. We avoid them because they may produce increased risk of allergies, asthma, and impairment of the immune function. Phthalates have also been linked to early onset puberty as well as negative effect on reproductive function in men and impact fetal development.
Bisphenol A
BPA
Although this is not an ingredient, it is often found in plastic packaging or microbeads in exfoliants. They can be directly transferred to the product, contaminating it.
We choose to avoid these (as well as more recent and modern alternatives) because they can interfere with the proper function of hormones.
Parabens
Benzylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben among others are widely used antimicrobials and preservatives in cosmetics. We avoid them because of their possible association to damage to reproductive functions and developmental disorders. There have been studies linking parabens with accelerated skin ageing.
Methyliso-thiazolinone
One of the popular preservatives use to replaced parabens once consumers started demanding alternatives.
Since the beauty and personal care started using it, there has been a significant rise in skin irritations. Some studies show that, depending on the concentration and combination used, it can even cause chemical burns.
Phenoxyethanol
Widely used in natural and organic personal care and cosmetic products, this is a preservative that prolongs shelf-life.
We avoid it because it has been shown to cause irritation of the skin and eyes.
Other studies where it was used on animals, which we are against to, have resulted in certain DNA mutations.
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Aluminum
Compounds & Salts
A widely found ingredient in antiperspirants, it is used to stop the sweat glands from going through its natural cycle. We banned it as many studies show may interfere with estrogen receptors and be related to cancer. Being a neurotoxin, it is believed to be related to cognitive disorders such as dementia or Alzheimer.
PEG and Polyethylene
Also known as polyethylene glycols, these are a family of synthetic chemicals widely used in cosmetics to soften the skin and act as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers.
We avoid them because some test have shown it may be a probable human carcinogen which readily penetrates the skin.
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Triclosan
Used as an antibacterial in many beauty and personal care products, we avoid it because it may affect thyroid function as well as the proper function of reproductive hormones.
Some studies also show that it can contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria.
In addition, triclosan is toxic to the aquatic environment.
Propylene
Glycol
Methyl glycol, propanediol, trimethyl glycol, dihydroxypropane and others are used to absorb water.
We avoid them because they could have a negative impact on the nervous system.
The may also be related to contact dermatitis, kidney and liver damage, eye and skin irritation, gastrointestinal irritation nausea, and headache.
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Benzisothia-
zolinone
This antimicrobial agent is used as a preservative in many cosmetic products as an alternative to parabems.
We have actively decided to ban it because it has been linked to skin, eye and even lung irritation.
It is also considered an environmental pollutant and some studies have shown it to be a human carcinogen.
Benzoic
Acid
Also known as sodium benzoate, is an aromatic acid used in a wide variety of cosmetics as a PH adjuster and preservative.
Although this can also be sourced naturally, we have decided to avoid it because it has been related to several skin problems such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and hives.
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ingredients we refuse to use
Talc
Also known as hydrous magnesium silicate, talc is used as an absorbent and colour additive in a very wide range of personal care and beauty products. We deliberately choose to avoid it because studies show it can often contain asbestiform fibers, a known irritant and carcinogen. In addition inhaling cosmetic talc can cause serious respiratory problems.
Sodium Lauryl
& Laureth Sulfate
This ingredient contributes foaming properties to cleansing products.
We banned it for our formulas because it has been linked to eyes, skin, mouth, and even lungs irritation.
For people with sensitive skin, sulfates may also clog pores and cause adult acne.
Some studies have also qualified it as a potential carcinogenic.
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Ethanolamines
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Also known as TEA triethanolamine and DEA diethanolamine are used to control the pH of cosmetics and personal care products.
It has been reported that they both could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time and may cause liver and kidney damage, as well as allergic reactions. It has also been linked to cancer.
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Mineral
Oils
A petroleum derived ingredient, mineral oils are used in various products as they offer broad viscosity options enabling viscosity regulation of a formulation.
We choose to avoid because it has been linked as a possible cause of cancer and organ toxicity.
They also often cause allergic skin reactions.
Formaldehyde
In beauty products, formaldehyde is used as a preservative to prolong shelf life and prevent bacterial contamination. Formaldehyde is the 2015 American Contact Dermatitis Society Contact Allergen of the Year, as it is widely understood to cause allergic skin reactions and rashes in some people.
It has also been linked with asthma.
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Isopropyl
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This is a petroleum derived alcohol used as an antifoaming agent, cosmetic astringent, solvent, and viscosity decreasing agent.
We have banned this ingredient from our formulation because some studies have linked it to respiratory, kidney, cardiovascular, liver and neurotoxic concerns.
Nanoparticles
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Insoluble nanoparticles in cosmetic products are essentially used as UV-filters or preservatives. Nanoparticles alter properties of cosmetic products including colour, transparency, and solubility. Exposure may happen through the skin or inhalation
We have decided to avoid using them because some studies report they may disrupt the hormonal system.
Petroleum
Distillates
It is used as a barrier to lock moisture in the skin in a variety of moisturizers and also in hair care products to make your hair shine.
Petroleum-extracted cosmetics ingredients may cause dermatitis and are often produced in oil refineries with automobile fuel, heating oil, chemical feedstocks and can thus be contaminated with impurities that can cause cancer.
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at sqin zero, we do not perform animal testing for any of our products
our products are artisanal, hand-made and produced on-demand with love
sqin zero means all natural ingredients with Ø chemicals
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