OUTSIDE THE FLAGS LIST

Aluminum powder is a fine, metallic powder made from aluminum. It's often used in cosmetics, skincare, and industrial products. It can be harmful because prolonged exposure to aluminum may accumulate in the body, potentially leading to health risks like neurological issues or skin irritation. Additionally, it's not biodegradable, so it can contribute to environmental pollution.

Animal Musks and Animal Fats are prohibited. Animal Derived Ingredients are also prohibited, with these exceptions: Cholesterol, Lactose, Lanolin, Keratin.

Artificial colours in personal care products are synthetic dyes used to give products a specific color or hue. These colors are often derived from petroleum or coal tar and are commonly found in cosmetics, body lotions, and more.

There are some concerns about the safety of artificial colors, as certain dyes have been linked to allergic reactions, skin irritation, and, in some cases, potential carcinogenic effects. In some countries, including the European Union, specific artificial colors have been banned or restricted due to health concerns.

For this reason, Bronte does not use any artificial colours and instead use natural alternatives offering safer, more environmentally friendly options. In our Multi-Mineral Body Cleanser and Multi-Oil Body Lotion we use Australian sourced carrot extract to give a beautiful golden hue to our products.

Beeswax (and other Bee Products), such as honey, pollen, and propolis, are natural and effective ingredients used in personal care products. At Bronte, we have not included any bee products in our formulations as bee populations are facing significant decline, which has serious consequences for ecosystems, crops, and human health. Plus (bonus tip) ensure you are planting bee-friendly plants in your garden and home, avoid using any neonicotinoids and let the bees get busy!

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

A preservative linked to cancer, skin irritation, and hormone disruption.

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

A Toluene-based preservative linked to skin irritation.

Carmine (also known as Cochineal, Cochineal Extract, Crimson Lake, Carmine Lake, or Natural Red 4 C.I. 75470) is a red pigment derived from scale insects, particularly the cochineal scale. It is commonly used in colour cosmetics or personal care and must be clearly listed on ingredient labels. At Bronte, we prefer to avoid it due to its insect-based origin, but it is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics. Our products are coloured naturally using Australian sourced carrot extract.

Cyclic silicones, such as Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), Cyclohexasiloxane (D6), and Cyclomethicone, are chemicals commonly found in personal care products. Research suggests that some of these substances may pose risks related to reproductive health, developmental toxicity, and endocrine disruption. Additionally, they are persistent in the environment and have the potential to accumulate in the food chain.

Calcium Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, and Trisodium EDTA are chelating agents that bind to metal ions, rendering them inactive. While these ingredients are not typically linked to health issues for consumers, they can pose a risk to aquatic life. They do not break down easily in the environment and have been found in waterways, potentially impacting ecosystems.

Ingredients like DEA (diethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine), and ETA (ethanolamine) may be contaminated with harmful chemicals, such as Nitrosamines. Nitrosamines have been linked to cancer, raising concerns about the safety of these ingredients in personal care products.

Although not always directly listed, Formaldehyde “releasers” or “donors” are common in many personal care products. Ingredients like DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, and Quaternium-15 can release small amounts of formaldehyde over time, which is a known irritant and a potential carcinogen, raising concerns about their safety in cosmetic formulations.

Hydroquinone is commonly used for skin lightening as it inhibits melanin synthesis. However, it can cause skin irritation, potential discoloration, and has been linked to negative long-term effects. Additionally, hydroquinone is a metabolite of benzene, a known carcinogen, raising concerns about its safety in skincare products.

These preservatives, such as Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), are banned in leave-on cosmetic products in the EU and are strictly limited in rinse-off products. They can cause skin allergies, irritation, and have been linked to potential toxicity to the nervous system, raising concerns about their safety in personal care products.

There are several types of synthetic musks used in fragrances, but Nitromusks and Polycyclic Musks raise health and environmental concerns. These include suspected endocrine disruption and environmental persistence, meaning they don’t break down easily and can accumulate in ecosystems. As a result, we prohibit their use in our products. Learn more about our fragrance policy here.

Certain parabens, including Butylparaben, Isopropylparaben, and Methylparaben, have been linked to hormone disruption. As a precaution, we prohibit the use of all parabens in our products to ensure safety and wellbeing.

There are over 3,000 Highly Fluorinated Compounds used in products for their oil-, stain-, and water-repellent properties. These compounds don't break down in the environment and have been linked to serious health issues such as cancer, hormone disruption, liver toxicity, and obesity. Avoid products containing ingredients with "perfluor" or "polyfluor" in their names to reduce potential risks.

Petrolatum (also known as petroleum jelly), Mineral Oil, Paraffin Wax, and Liquid Paraffin are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. These ingredients raise concerns due to unsustainable sourcing and potential contamination with PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), which are linked to cancer. While certification can ensure minimal PAH contamination, these concerns make such ingredients a less sustainable choice.

Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more flexible. While some phthalates are listed on ingredient labels, many are hidden under the term "fragrance." Since certain phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption, we do not include these in our formulas. Learn more about our fragrance policy here.

There are various synthetic musks used in fragrances, but Nitromusks and Polycyclic Musks raise health and environmental concerns. These musks are suspected of disrupting hormones and persist in the environment, potentially causing long-term harm. As a result, we prohibit their use in our products. Learn more about our fragrance policy here.

Triclosan and Triclocarban are antibacterial agents commonly found in personal care and cleaning products. These ingredients are persistent in the environment and have been linked to potential hormone disruption, raising concerns about their long-term impact on health and ecosystems.

Palm oil and palm-derived ingredients are commonly used in consumer products. While palm oil is a natural, effective, and safe ingredient, the majority of it is produced unsustainably, contributing to deforestation, threatening endangered species, and damaging local ecosystems, communities, and the climate. For this reason we have chosen not to include it in any of our formulations.

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative commonly used in cosmetic products. Although it is sometimes seen as controversial, it has a similar or better safety profile compared to other widely used preservatives. Preservatives are essential in water-based products to prevent microbial growth, making them a necessary ingredient. According to the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), phenoxyethanol is safe for use as a preservative at concentrations up to 1.0%, which is the maximum amount used in products created by Bronte.

Dimethicone and Other Linear Silicones are commonly used in personal care products to enhance skin texture, smooth wrinkles, and condition hair. While they are generally considered safe for use in cosmetics, there are a few things to consider:

• Environmental Impact: Silicones like Dimethicone do not biodegrade well, meaning they can persist in the environment, contributing to pollution.
• Skin Concerns: For those with acne-prone skin, silicones may clog pores, as they form a barrier on the skin’s surface.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are surfactants commonly used in personal care products like body washes, and facial cleansers for their ability to create lather and remove dirt and oils. However, there are some concerns regarding these ingredients:

• Skin Irritation: Both SLS and SLES can be harsh on the skin, potentially causing irritation, dryness, or sensitivity, particularly for people with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.
• Environmental Impact: These ingredients do not biodegrade as easily as natural surfactants, which means they can contribute to water pollution when washed off into the environment.
• Contamination Risk: SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen, during its manufacturing process.

As a result, at Bronte we choose to avoid SLS and SLES, opting for gentler, more eco-friendly alternatives.

Talc is commonly used in products like colour cosmetics and body powders, but there are two key concerns: 1) the potential for asbestos contamination and 2) the risk of inhalation or genital use leading to health issues. For this reason we do not include any talc in our formulations.

PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) is a group of synthetic compounds made by polymerizing ethylene glycol, a petroleum-derived chemical. PEGs are used in a variety of personal care and cosmetic products as emulsifiers, thickeners, solvents, or humectants (to retain moisture). The main concern with PEGs is that they can sometimes be contaminated with impurities like 1,4-Dioxane, which is a potential carcinogen. Additionally, because PEGs are often produced using ethoxylation (a chemical process involving Ethylene Oxide, another carcinogen), they may pose safety risks if not properly purified. As a result, we avoid using PEGs in our formulations.