Strictest Guidelines for the Cleanest Lifestyle
Our commitment to non-toxic is serious, which is why have one of the strictest no-sell ingredient lists of any shop. Using a framework set forth by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the ingredients listed below are banned from our retail products. The list is ever-evolving as information and scientific learning advances.
Typically in
Products that sud
What it is
A by-product generated by a process called ethoxylation , in which ethylene oxide, is added to other chemicals to make them less harsh. There are alternative processes manufacturers can use, including avoiding the use of harsh chemicals all together.
What to look for
Unfortunately, because 1,4-dioxane is a produced during manufacturing, the FDA does not require it to be listed on labels.
Look for certified organic products, which are made without ethoxylation.
Health concerns
Typically in
Cosmetic colors, antiperspirants
What it is
Aluminum powder is used as pigments and thickening agents in cosmetics. Aluminum salts are commonly used as active ingredients in antiperspirants to control sweat.
Health concerns
Regulated by the FDA and generally considered safe, so long as guidelines are followed.
Possible concerns for kidney disease patients
Typically in
Eye & face creams and lotions, hair products, makeup
What it is
A pH adjuster
What to look for
May be listed as: 1-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-, 1propanol, 2amino2methyl, 2-amino-2-methyl- 1-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, 2-aminoisobutanol, 2-hydroxymethyl-2-propylamine, aminomethyl propanol, isobutanolamine
Health concerns
Minor skin and eye irritant
Typically in
Cosmetics, soaps, conditioner
What it is
Animal fat is boiled out of slaughtered animals. Musk oil is obtained, often inhumanely, from the genitals of small mammals.
What to look for
May be listed as tallow
Health concerns
Allergen
Organ system toxin
Typically in
Soaps, lotion, makeup remover
What it is
Antimicrobial agent, antistatic agent, cosmetic biocide, deodorant agent, surfactant -suspending agent, antimicrobial, antistatic, deodorant, preservative, and surfactant
What to look for
May be listed as: Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride solution, benzylchloride quaternary salt of n,n'-dimethylcocoamine; n-coco-n,n-dimethylbenzenemethanaminium chloride, quaternary ammonium compounds, benzylcoco alkyldimethyl, chlorides
Health concerns
Allergen
Immune system toxin
Typically in
Cosmetics and moisturizer
What it is
Preservative and stabilizer often used as an antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, and masking
What to look for
May be listed as: Butylhydroxyanisol, (1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methoxy-phenol, (1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methoxyphenol, 1,1-dimethylethyl-4-methoxyphenol, butylated hydroxyanisol
Health concerns
Allergen
Organ system toxicant
Possible human carcinogen
Possible endocrine disruptor
Typically in
Nail & hair products, cosmetics, personal care products
What it is
An ether alcohol used as a fragrance ingredient, solvent, viscosity decreasing agent, masking, and viscosity controlling
What to look for
May be listed as: 2-butoxy- ethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, butoxyethanol, butyl glycol, ethanol 2-butoxy-, ethanol 2butoxy, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, glycol monobutyl ether, monobutyl ethylene glycol ether
Health concerns
Irritant
Organ system toxicant
What it is
Sunscreen agents, ultraviolet light absorbers, uv absorbers, and uv filters
What to look for
Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate
Health concerns
Absorbed into the bloodstream
Hormone disruptor (oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate)
Irritants (oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, avobenzone)
Typically in
Shampoos & scalp treatments, soaps, hair dyes, and lotions
What it is
An antidandruff agent, cosmetic biocide, and denaturant
What to look for
May be listed as: coal tar solution, tar, coal
Health concerns
Carcinogen
Neurological damage
Organ system toxicant
Skin tumors
Typically in
Soaps, shampoos, conditioners, hair color and bleaching products, lotions, shaving cream, cosmetics
What it is
A ph adjuster and buffering
What to look for
May be listed as: 2-Amino- ethanol, 2-aminoethanol, 2-hydroxyethylamine, ethanol, 2-amino-, ethanol, 2amino, ethanolamine, MEA, monoethanolamine
Health concerns
Allergen
Bioaccumulation risk
Carcinogen
Irritant
Organ toxicity
Typically in
Hair color & bleaching, conditioner, moisturizer
What it is
Used as a chelating agent and for chelating to sequester and decrease the reactivity of metal ions that may be present in a product. A penetration enhancer.
What to look for
May be listed as:
(Ethylenedinitrilo)tetra- acetic acid, 3,6-bis(carboxymethyl)- 3,6-diazaoctanedioic acid, 3,6-diazoctanedioic acid, 3,6-bis(carboxymethyl)-, acetic acid, (ethylenedinitrilo)tetra-, edetic acid, EDTA, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, glycine, n,n 1,2ethanediylbis[n(carboxymethyl), gycine, N, N'-1,2-ethanedi ylbis[n-(carboxymethyl)-, n,n'-1,2-ethanedi ylbis[n-(carboxymethyl)- glycine, n,n'-1,2-ethanedi ylbis[n-(carboxymethyl)glycine, and n,n'1,2-ethanediylbis[n-(carboxymethyl)glycine]
Health concerns
Irritant
Organ system toxicant
Typically in
Nail polish, nail glue, eyelash glue, hair gel, hair-smoothing products, baby shampoo, body soap, body wash, color cosmetics
What it is
Sometimes added to a product directly, sometimes released from preservatives (quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, bromopol and glyoxal.)
Health concerns
Irritant
Typically in
Skin lighteners, facial & skin cleansers, facial moisturizers, hair conditioners, finger nail coating products
What it is
Antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, hair colorant, reducing agent, skin bleaching agent, and hair dyeing
What to look for
Hydroquinone or tocopheryl acetate
Health concerns
Organ system toxicant
Typically in
Cosmetics, lotions
What it is
Mercury is a heavy metal that is not part of normal physical functions in the body. It can be absorbed through the skin. Exposure can lead to poisoning. Mercury is sometimes found in products like skin lighteners and anti-aging treatments. Some of these products are manufactured internationally and illegally imported to the US. It is a good practice to avoid products with ingredients listed in a language you cannot read.
What to look for
Heavy metals in general are not always listed on the label, though it is rare for personal care products in the US to contain mercury. Pregnant women and teens are particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects and should be especially careful to avoid.
HG, Mercury, Mercury dissolved, Mercury total, mercurous chloride, calomel, mercuric, mercurio
Health concerns
Bioaccumulation risk
Environmental hazard
Immune & respiratory toxin
Nervous & reproductive system toxin
Typically in
Anti-aging skin care products
What it is
A solvent used as a binder, emulsion stabilizer, film former, viscosity increasing agent.
What to look for
EGME, Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, Glycol monomethyl ether, 2-Methoxyethanol
Health concerns
Typically in
Bath & body products, cleansers
What it is
A preservative
What to look for
May be listed as 2-methyl- 3(2H)-isothiazolone, 2-methyl-2hisothiazol-3one, 2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone, 2-methyl-4isothiazolin-3-one, 3(2H)-isothiazolone, 2-methyl-, 3(2H)isothiazolone, 2methyl, methylchloroisothiazolinone225methylisothiazolinone solution, methylisothiazolinone
Health concerns
Typically in
Cosmetics, hair color & bleaching, bath & body, baby, tanning products
What it is
Derived from petroleum, it is used as a fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent, and skin protectant
What to look for
May be listed as: Deobase, heavy mineral oil, light mineral oil, liquid paraffin, liquid petrolatum, mineral oil, mineral oil hydrocarbon solvent (petroleum); mineral oil (saturated paraffin oil), paraffin oil, paraffin oils, paraffinum liquidum petroleum white mineral oil, prolatum oil, white mineral oil, petroleum
Health concerns
Typically in
Deodorants, toothpastes, shampoos, lotions, foundation, anti-aging creams, and nail polish
What it is
UV filters or preservatives. Take care to avoid inhalation of loose cosmetic powders and aerosol sunscreen products that contain nanoized titanium dioxide or zinc oxide
What to look for
Nanomaterials, Fullerenes, micronized zinc oxide, nano zinc oxide, micronized titanium dioxide, micronized quartz silica
Health concerns
Typically in
Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, facial and shower cleansers and scrubs
What it is
Discourages the growth of microbes
What to look for
May be listed as: Ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, any other ingredients ending in –paraben
Health concerns
Carcinogens
Developmental and reproductive toxicants
Endocrine disruptors
Typically in
Cosmetics, hair products, sunscreen, soaps, hand sanitizers
What it is
Preservative and stabilizer
What to look for
2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether, 2-phenoxy-ethanol, 2-phenoxyethanol, 2-phenoxyethyl alcohol, ethanol, 2-phenoxy-, thanol, 2phenoxy, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, phenoxyethanol, and phenoxytol
Health concerns
Typically in
Color cosmetics, fragranced lotions, body washes and hair care products, nail polish and treatment
What it is
Fragrance ingredient, plasticizer, and solvent
What to look for
Phthalate, Diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) and fragrance
Health concerns
Typically in
Anti-aging skin care products
What it is
Derived from animal placenta. The placenta produces progesterone, estrogen, and other hormones. Purports to help with skin rejuvenation and collagen production.
What to look for
May be listed as: Placental Extract
Health concerns
Typically in
Cosmetics
What it is
Petroleum based compounds used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. They are often contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane during the manufacturing process.
What to look for
Ethoxylates and other ingredients that have chemical names with “eth.” These may be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
Health concerns
Typically in
Cleansers, bath and body, hair products, hair color and bleaching, cosmetics, deodorants, sun products
What it is
Fragrance ingredient and surfactant. Polysorbates are often contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane during the manufacturing process.
What to look for
Ingredients that contain “sorb,” as well as ethoxylated ingredients, PEGs, and chemicals ending in “-eths.”
Health concerns
Typically in
Hair color & bleaching, shampoos, anti-acne products
What it is
Anti-acne agent, denaturant, external analgesic, fragrance ingredient, hair colorant, hair dyeing & bleaching, and masking
What to look for
May be listed as: 1,3-Benzenediol, 1,3benzenediol, 3-hydroxyphenol, CI developer 4, M-dihydroxybenzene, M-hydroquinone, m-phenylenediol, oxidation base 31, resorcin, and resorcinol
Health concerns
Typically in
Bath & body, hair products, cosmetics, personal care products
What it is
Denaturants and surfactants used for cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming
What to look for
May be listed as: Alpha-sulfo-omega-(dodecyloxy)poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), sodium salt, dodecyl sodium sulfate, PEG-(1-4) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium salt, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-(dodecyloxy)-, sodium salt, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),a -sulfo-w (dodecyloxy)-, sodium salt, poly(oxy1,2ethanediyl), αsulfoï‰(dodecyloxy), sodium salt, polyethylene glycol (1-4) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium salt, polyoxyethylene (1-4) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium salt, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium PEG lauryl ether sulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl sulfate, sodium salt PEG-(1-4) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium salt poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),A -sulfo-w (dodecyloxy)-, sodium salt polyethylene glycol (1-4) lauryl ether sulfate, and sodium salt polyoxyethylene (1-4) lauryl ether sulfate
Health concerns
Typically in
Cleansers, soaps, shampoo, toothpaste
What it is
Improves skin absorption. Possible contamination with nitrosamines
Health concerns
Typically in
Bath & body, hair products, cosmetics, personal care products
What it is
Denaturants and surfactants used for cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming
What to look for
May be listed as: Monododecyl ester sodium salt sulfuric acid, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulphate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium salt sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, sulfuric acid monodoecyl ester sodium salt, sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, sodium salt
Health concerns
Typically in
Most personal care products
What it is
Thousands of different compounds may be used, but often these ingredients are listed ambiguously as “fragrance,” leaving the buyer unaware of what chemicals the product actually contains.
What to look for
Fragrance, perfume, parfum, essential oil blend, aroma. Always avoid acetaldehyde and benzophenone
Health concerns
Typically in
Nail polish, nail treatment, hair dyes
What it is
Used in adhesives and in nail products to suspend color
What to look for
May be listed as: Benzene, methyl, benzene, methyl-, methyl-benzene, methylbenzene, toluol
Health concerns
Typically in
Antibacterial soaps & detergents, toothpaste and tooth whitening products, antiperspirants/deodorants, shaving products, creams, color cosmetics
What it is
Antimicrobial agent and preservative
What to look for
May be listed as: Triclosan (TSC) and triclocarban (TCC), 2,2,2'-trichloro-2'-hydroxy diphenyl ether, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)- phenol, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol, phenol, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-, phenol, 5chloro2(24dichlorophenoxy)
Health concerns
In our salon, we proudly use O&M Color, OWay Color, and MAGIC Lightener. These color lines are free of ammonia and the harsh chemicals that are typically found in mainstream brands. Our permanent color lines are low-toxic and were carefully selected for each brand's commitment to safer hair coloring.
We will continue to research and test products, and hope that one day a completely non-toxic permanent hair color line will be available. This currently doesn't exist due to the chemical processes required to lift the hair cuticle.
Fell in love with the fossilized coral its so neat to look at and adds just that something extra to the shelf of crystals and fossils.
This is my third bottle of Glossy Nectar & it’s become my favorite hair product. Makes my hair hydrated and shiny without any greasiness. Magic. Also very happy to order from a local business! Shipping was very prompt.
It smells good like citrus more so tangerine and oranges than lemon or other fruits. My hair feels clean and bouncy after I do the shampoo and conditioner process. It does not leave my hair feeling heavy and oily.
This product smells great and it also keeps my hair hydrated in this dry climate. I am impressed with all of Rahua’s hair products so far.
This keeps my hair hydrated for several days and it smells great. I live in a dry climate so the hydration is definitely needed. I’m so impressed with this brand they have become my #1 hair care product
