When choosing an organic face cream or skincare product it is important to be aware of the ingredients within the product. Please look at labels carefully. Below is a list of ingredients that should be avoided. Organic Apoteke products do not contain any of these ingredients.
Alcohol denat. (denatured alcohol): petrochemical by product. May cause contact dermatitis & chemical sensitivities. Organic Apoteke Products are alcohol-free.
Grain alcohol: causes dehydration and may cause contact dermatitis and chemical sensitivities.
Aluminum ingredients: skin irritants, can cause alzheimer’s, lung disease
Ammonium ingredients: toxic, carcinogenic
BHA & BHT: can cause cancer, encourages the breakdown of vitamins such as vitamin d, can cause lipid & cholesterol levels to increase, endocrine disrupter
Bismuth oxychloride: a synthetically prepared crystalline powder used in cosmetics as a filler, & to bind other ingredients. The powder has to be forced into the pores, resulting in clogged pores or irritated skin.
Coal tar & lake dyes: low-level exposure is linked to cancer, allergic reactions, nausea, fatigue & skin problems
Colorants (FD&C & other coal tar dyes): carcinogens, topical irritants, may cause acne & skin irritations, may contain aluminums, have caused tumors in rats, low-level exposure is linked to cancer
Cocamidopropyl betaine: contains a significant petroleum component & can cause serious irritation & allergenic response
DEA ingredients (all ingredients with dea after the first word): cancer
Dimethicone (& other methicone ingredients): cancer suspect. Caused tumors & mutation in lab animals
Dioxin: powerful hormone disrupting chemical linked to cancer, nervous system disorders, miscarriages & birth deformity. Stored in fat cells. Contained in sulfates that provide foaming action.
DMAE-dimethylaminoethanol: marketed as “face lift in a bottle,” however, what it does is temporarily paralyze the small muscles of the face, making it seem like wrinkles are less visible. No long term results of application are yet known
Idebenone: a synthetic analogue of coenzyme q10
Emulsifying waxes like cetyl or ceteryl alcohol : linked to the creation of free radicals & prostaglandin inhibitors
Formaldehyde: inability to inhibit the growth of acid producing bacteria & it’s implication in cancer
Fragrance: highly allergenic. Contains large quantities of toxins & chemicals not disclosed. Fragrance-free means that fragrance chemicals have been added to the product to mask the natural aromas of the ingredients
Glycerin: look for vegetable glycerin. Glycerin without the vegetable qualifier usually means petrochemical
Glycerol stearate: linked to the creation of free radicals & prostaglandin inhibitors
Hexane: very toxic solvent used to extract essential oils & botanicals
Hydroquinone: toxic, irritant, banned in europe, can cause hyper-pigmentation, skin bleacher
Imidazalidol urea: strong irritant, releases formaldehyde, toxic laureth family (ingredients with laureth, laurate or lauryl extensions): carcinogenic, skin irritants, may be contaminated with large amounts of toxins in manufacturing process, contains ammonium salts, mutagen, acne producing
Matrixyl: is a new polypeptide. It is said that matrixyl is at least as effective against wrinkles as retinol. It is said to work by “relaxing facial tension”, similarly to botox. We feel that repeatedly paralyzing the muscles can only sap their inherent strength.
Methylisothiazolinone: antimicrobial agent inhibits the development of particular neuron structures that are essential for transmitting signals between cells. Damaging to a developing nervous system
Octyl stearate: acne producing, contact dermatitis, allergic reactions
PABA: may cause formation of nitrosamines, cause photosensitivity (ironic)
Parabens: petrochemicals, estrogenic, carcinogenic, allergenic
Peg ingredients: carcinogenic, acne promoters, contact dermatitis
Petroleum (petrolatum, mineral oils, vaseline): acne producing, may be carcinogenic, causes long term dry skin, respiratory toxin
Phenonip: preservative blend of phenoxyethanol, methylparben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben & isobutylparaben
Phenoxyethanol: synthetic ether alcohol preservative. Can cause contactdermatitis.
Phthalates (esters of phthalic acid, such as dibutyl phthalate): derived from naphtalene, found in most conventional nail polishes, hair styling products, fragrances, squeezable plastics, soft plastic baby toys, baby wipes, & earphones of popular mp3 players. Dangerous when heated. Carcinogenic, endocrine disruptors that put you in higher risk for breast cancer, other hormone-related diseases, birth defects, allergies & testicular abnormalities in babies. May not be listed on products, hidden in ingredients such as synthetic fragrances & stabilisers.
PVP: widely used synthetic polymer, carcinogenic
Stearic acid or alcohol: carcinogens, skin irritants, comedogenic
Hydroxymethyl glycinate: releases formaldehyde, a known cancer agent
Talc: can contain asbestos, do not use on babies, linked to ovarian cancer, respiratory toxin
TEA ingredients (not tea, but rather ingredients with tea in front): severe irritants, can contain ammonium salts, eye irritant, sensitizer, carcinogenic.