The ACB Dirty List: Harmful Ingredients to Avoid
At AusCleanBrands, we’re dedicated to helping you make safer, informed choices for your skincare, beauty, and personal care needs. That’s why we’ve created The AusCleanBrands (ACB) Dirty List, a comprehensive guide to harmful and questionable ingredients commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products.
By steering clear of these ingredients, you can reduce exposure to toxins, minimize irritation, and promote healthier skin and overall wellness. Here are the key ingredients to avoid:
Key Ingredients to Avoid
1. Parabens
- Why to Avoid: Used as preservatives, parabens can mimic oestrogen and disrupt hormone function. Common examples include methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.
- Why to Avoid: Found in cleansers and shampoos, sulphates like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) can strip the skin and hair of natural oils, causing dryness and irritation.
- Why to Avoid: Commonly found in synthetic fragrances and nail polishes, phthalates are known endocrine disruptors linked to reproductive health issues.
- Why to Avoid: Used as preservatives, these ingredients (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15) can cause allergic reactions and are classified as potential carcinogens.
- Why to Avoid: Fragrance blends often include dozens of undisclosed chemicals, which can trigger allergies, asthma, and skin irritation.
- Why to Avoid: Dyes like FD&C Red No. 40 and Blue No. 1 can cause skin sensitivity and are often derived from petroleum.
- Why to Avoid: Derived from petroleum, mineral oils can clog pores and create a barrier that prevents the skin from breathing.
- Why to Avoid: Found in antibacterial products, triclosan is linked to hormone disruption and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Why to Avoid: Used as thickeners and solvents, PEG compounds may be contaminated with harmful impurities like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
- Why to Avoid: Common in chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone can disrupt hormones and damage coral reefs.
- Why to Avoid: Talc may be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen, and can pose respiratory risks.
- Why to Avoid: Metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic are sometimes found in cosmetics and can accumulate in the body, causing long-term health issues.
- Why to Avoid: Often used to create a smooth texture, silicones like dimethicone can trap dirt and bacteria, potentially leading to breakouts.
Why Avoiding These Ingredients Matters:
• Healthier Skin: Many of these ingredients can irritate sensitive skin and exacerbate
conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
• Hormonal Balance: Endocrine disruptors can interfere with the body’s natural hormone
systems.
• Environmental Impact: Chemicals like oxybenzone harm aquatic ecosystems and
contribute to pollution.
How AusCleanBrands Helps
We rigorously evaluate every product to ensure it aligns with our uncompromising standards for
quality and safety. You can shop with confidence knowing that our offerings are free from the
ingredients listed above.
Want to Learn More? Visit our blog for tips on reading ingredient labels and transitioning to cleaner products. Together, we can create a healthier, more sustainable future for beauty and wellness.
Ready to explore clean alternatives? Browse our curated selection today and make the switch to safer, non-toxic living. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@auscleanbrands.com.