There are several types of parabens, some of them are prohibited (isopropylparaben and isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, benzylparaben, pentylparaben), others are not recommended (butylparaben and propylparaben) and finally some are allowed at low concentrations (methylparaben and ethylparaben). Some of them are related to cancer and as potential endocrine disruptors in high doses. They have been discarded because they are a family of controversial and confusing ingredients and have been discontinued, so we prefer to add them to the list for consumers' peace of mind.

Main preservative, obtained by an environmentally unfriendly method from phenol (petroleum derivative) and ethylene oxide (carcinogenic). It is allowed to be used up to 1%. It is related to skin irritation, dermatitis, rashes, eczema and urticaria. And in severe cases: kidney and liver damage, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity.

It remains to be studied whether adverse effects may occur due to accumulation over the years. This is a worrying factor considering that it is present in a very large number of products and even if the concentration is less than 1%, several cosmetic products are often applied to the same area, so it is no longer a real 1%. This is not taken into account in the studies since it is only tested as if you were applying 1 product at a time.

Preservative better known as methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone. It is banned for use except in rinsed products according to the European restriction: V/57 V/39, which allows its use at a concentration of 0.0015%. It is considered an allergen.

Preservative with antibacterial properties. It is so potent that it can create more resistant bacteria and diminish the effect of other preservatives. It can affect the immune system and is an endocrine disruptor with possible dysregulatory effects on the thyroid gland and fertility. On the other hand, it has a negative impact on the environment.

Banned in cosmetic products except toothpaste, hand and body wash and stick deodorants at maximum concentrations of 0.3%.

As it is a product that is banned when repeatedly exposed to the skin, it has been decided to add it to the list as a precaution even though it is allowed in certain products.

Formaldehyde is banned in cosmetics because it is CMR (carcinogenic). But even if it does not appear as such, there are certain ingredients that can react with the formula and decompose into formaldehyde. To prevent its formation, they are added to the list.

It is a chelating compound that helps to have a more stable product by capturing ions and aids the preservative system. It is present in most cosmetics but is harmful to the environment. Biodegradable alternatives are available.

Talc is not a harmful ingredient, but if it contains asbestos even in small amounts it can cause cancer. Talc is safe if it is free of asbestos, but to avoid the risk, it is added to the list.

Ingredient with action against body odor. Its action is focused on blocking perspiration channels so as not to sweat. There are studies that demonstrate their absorption and some have found a relationship between these salts and breast cancer. according to the scientific committee they are considered safe at certain concentrations because there is insufficient evidence, but since All Yours We avoid including them for safety and peace of mind.

Antioxidants BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) are substances that prevent the degradation of the formula, and are especially present in perfumes. There are several studies that relate them to irritations, allergies and as endocrine disruptors at high doses, being also possible causes of cancer. In addition, BHT and BHA are of concern due to their high bioaccumulation in marine environments and consequent toxicity. However, they are allowed at low concentrations in some cosmetics, and after collecting all this information, it was decided to add them to the list.

They are systems of really small size, on the nano scale, that allow to optimize the concentration, penetration and stability of some ingredients. In the case of sunscreens, photosensitivity and efficacy are improved. It is in the case of nanoencapsulated sunscreens where the greatest controversy about their adverse effects lies. The scientific committee prohibits nano filters in aerosols and sprays for being carcinogenic by inhalation, but they are allowed in all other cases.

In this case, the controversy arises in solar products because of the penetration of the filters and since All Yours we assure that our sunscreen products do not contain nano filters.

Their main function is as a detergent and the main problem is that they are precursors of nitrosamines, carcinogenic substances. They also damage the environment due to their high bioaccumulation and the manufacturing process is not very environmentally friendly as they use ethylene oxide. One of them (DEA, diethanolamine, is banned).

Solvent, of petrochemical origin, which is found in nail polishes and gives them that particular smell. But be careful because it is a toxic substance that affects many organs including those related to reproduction. That is why we are always looking for safer alternatives for our customers.

The great enemies of soaps. Nowadays there is a lot of controversy about these surfactants. They are ingredients that have a very high detergency power but also irritability. They perform their function as cleansers so well that they often remove more than just dirt, such as part of the outer layer of the skin.

Because they are so powerful, with continued use they can cause irritability, dryness of both skin and hair. There are several sulfates on the market but the main ones are SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate). SLS can be made from petroleum or from coconut or palm oil. SLES (less irritating) is created from the ethoxylation of SLS and may contain traces of 1,4-dioxane (carcinogenic).

Nowadays there are many natural alternatives or with high percentages of naturalness that are more respectful to our skin and hair.

Hydroquinone is banned throughout Europe because of the side effects of prolonged use, and one of the hydroquinone derivatives, resorcinol, is also frowned upon. Its use is focused on hair products, although it is allowed to be used in low concentrations, it is suspected as a possible endocrine disruptor.

PEG stands for polyethylene glycol, a synthetic petroleum derivative. They exist in various sizes and functions but the cause for being on this list stems from other causes. For starters, the manufacturing process can produce PEGs with contaminants such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane (harmful to health). In addition, the process is very environmentally unfriendly, as is the ingredient itself as it is toxic to the environment because it is considered microplastics.

Organic filters are absorbed by the skin in order to perform their function and many of them have been debated over the years, both for health and environmental reasons, and their allowed concentration varies greatly from country to country. Some examples of the most commonly used:

• BenzophenonesBenzophenone: there are several types such as benzophenone-3, oxybenzone. Oxybenzone according to the most current studies causes contact dermatitis and has been detected in urine and blood samples, but without possible remarkable endocrine effects. It is also photosensitizing and should be included with a warning. Its contribution to reef bleaching has also been studied.
• Avobenzoneis photostable and loses efficacy in contact with light, it decomposes into unknown substances.
• Octocrylenepossible endocrine disruptor, can cause dermatitis and is also persistent and bioaccumulative in marine life.
• PABA and derivativespossible endocrine disruptor, ecotoxic and pollutes the environment.
• Salicylateshomosalate is very pollutant and possible endocrine disruptor, it also decomposes into harmful substances.
• Cinnamateincluding octinoxate which contributes to coral reef bleaching.

There are many other chemical filters on the market, many of which are not banned but are limited. The problem is that there are often not enough studies to determine whether these filters could be harmful at the concentrations at which we use them, and that is why we from All Yours we opt to use physical filters only, as they are not absorbed into the skin because their main function is to create a protective barrier against the sun's rays.

Silicones are polymers with siloxane chains, consisting of silicon, oxygen and various chains. Depending on their length, they can be volatile, liquid or solid. They have a multitude of cosmetic properties: emulsifying (mixing water and oil), emollient (softening skin and hair), or forming protective layers. Their manufacture is not very environmentally friendly, they may contain traces of 1,4-dioxane (carcinogenic) and they are not biodegradable. Some of them are banned, such as cyclomethicone D4 (carcinogenic and ecotoxic).

These ingredients are mainly used for their silk effect on skin and hair. At All Yours we go for more environmentally friendly and natural alternatives with better acceptance and less controversy.

If you have ever had a physical exfoliation you will have noticed small particles on your skin, in many products, these particles are plastics. This is because they are inexpensive, inert and easy to choose the shape, size and other properties. But the main problem is when you rinse the product off and all those plastics go down the drain. Little by little they accumulate and as they are not biodegradable they contaminate the environment.

We like to go for a more sustainable exfoliation using more natural particles such as waste products from the food industry: fruit or vegetable seeds.

Cosmetics use many petroleum derivatives to economize formulas and for their sensory profiles such as kerosene, crystalline wax, petrolatum, and mineral oils. All of these serve to create a coating on the skin or hair but do not provide moisturization or emolliency. If you are not consistent with your cleansing routine, they can build up and end up clogging pores and greasing your hair. It should be added that it is important to ensure the purity of the ingredient so that it does not contain impurities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (toxic substances). Depending on the case of each person they can be useful, cheap and suitable ingredients, that is why we consider them as grey ingredients.

We prefer more natural alternatives such as vegetable oils that provide emolliency and at the same time take care of our skin and hair.