THE BLACKLIST

Ingredients can be harmful for different reasons. Some may dry out the skin while others have been linked to cancer. Often, these ingredients are put into products to make them more pleasing — whether to smell a certain way, create a richer lather or give them a longer shelf life. But our bodies don’t know how to process them. At QUALIS NUTRI, we ensure every ingredient in our products plays a positive role in your health. No downsides or compromises allowed.

NO SINGLE SOURCE IS PERFECT

In order to create the strictest restricted ingredients list, we have studied the ingredients banned by the top research institutes, NGOs, and associations altogether. This process allowed us to create the strictest ‘blacklist’ in the business. Some of the sources we have consulted or worked with below:

You will never find the following ingredients in any QUALIS NUTRI products:

0-9

1,4-Dioxane

What is it
A by-product generated by a process called ethoxylation, in which ethylene oxide, is added to other chemicals to make them less harsh. It is a contaminant (unlisted in ingredient labels) – a substance that renders a product impure and unsuitable for use.

Concerns
Human respiratory toxicant by the US Environmental Agency.
Possible human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program.

Found in
Products that sud.

A

Aminomethyl Propanol

What is it
Alkanolamine pH Adjuster and ingredient stabilizer.

Concerns
Classified as an irritant by the Consumer Products Safety & Quality Bureau.
Wildlife and environmental toxicity by the Consumer Products Safety & Quality Bureau.

Found in
All types of hair products.

Animal Fat and Musk

What is it
This is fat procured from the meat, fat bone, or genital glands of slaughtered or live animals.
Animals could include sheep, beef, horses, pigs, shark, emu, mink, deer, otter, beavers, and more. It is usually used as a skin conditioning or perfuming agent.

Concerns
Animal welfare and sustainability.

Found in
All types of face, body, and cosmetic products.

B

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

What is it
A preservative and stabilizer generally used to keep fats from becoming rancid.

Concerns
Classified as a possible human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program.
Classified as a possible human carcinogen by the California EPA Proposition.

Found in
Concealers, Moisturisers with SPF.

Butoxyethanol

What is it
It is used as a solvent used in spray lacquers, varnishes, and some beauty products.

Concerns
Classified as an irritant by the Consumer Products Safety & Quality Unit.
Classified as toxic by the Consumer Products Safety & Quality Unit.

Benzalkodium Chloride

What is it
A mixture of quaternary ammonium salts used as a preservative and surfactant.

Concerns
Classified as severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritant.

Found in
Anti-bacterial soaps. Some moisturizers.

C

Chemical Sunscreens

What is it

Chemicals like aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and trolamine salicylate that filter harmful UVA/UVB rays.

Concerns

Classified as unsafe by the FDA. Potential interactions with human sex or thyroid hormones according to the Danish EPA.

Found in

Suncare products.

Look for

Oxybenzone (or Benzophenone-3)

Octinoxate (or octyl methoxycinnamate)

Octocrylene

Octisalate

Homosalate

Coal Tar

What is it

It’s a byproduct of coal processing used as a colorant and anti-dandruff agent.

Concerns

Classified as a human carcinogen by the US. Environmental Protection Agency and by the World Health Organization.

Found in

Hair products.

E

Ethanolamines

What is it

Ethanolamines are a family of chemicals that work as surfactants and emulsifying ingredients in personal care products and cleaning products.

Concerns

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.

Found in

Household cleaners and personal care products.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)

What is it

EDTA is a molecule called a chelating agent. A chelating agent is a claw-like substance that can grab and stick to other molecules.

Concerns

Classified as toxic and irritant.

Found in

Personal care products.

F

Formaldehyde

What is it

Formaldehyde is best known for its preservative and anti-bacterial properties.

Concerns

Classified as a human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

Found in

Personal care products.

H

Hydroquinone

What is it

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent. It bleaches the skin.

Concerns

Known human respiratory toxicant and classified to be toxic on the Environment Canada Domestic Substance List.

Found in

Personal care products.

M

Mercury and Mercury Compounds

What is it

Mercury is usually added to skin-lightening products due to its whitening effect.

Concerns

Known human respiratory toxicant.

Found in

Whitening skincare products.

Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone

What is it

Widely used preservatives.

Concerns

Human skin toxicant and allergen.

Found in

Personal care products.

Mineral Oil

What is it

Mineral oil is an occlusive emollient, meaning that it helps to keep your skin hydrated by locking in moisture by forming a barrier on your skin’s surface.

Concerns

Human immune and respiratory toxicant and allergen.

Found in

Moisturizers, lip balms, and other personal care products.

P

Parabens

What is it

Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as artificial preservatives in cosmetic and body care products.

Concerns

Disrupts the normal function of hormone systems affecting male and female reproductive system functioning, reproductive development, fertility, and birth outcomes.

Found in

Leave-on and rinse-off products, especially those with high water content, such as shampoos and conditioners.

Penoxyethanol

What is it

Widely used preservatives.

Concerns

Classified as an irritant and linked to allergic contact urticaria and dermatitis.

Found in

Personal care products.

Phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP, DMP, and Others )

What is it

A common industrial chemical used in PVC plastics, solvents, and synthetic fragrances.

Concerns

Endocrine disruptors linked to problems of the reproductive system, including decreased sperm motility and concentration in men and genital abnormalities in baby boys.

Found in

Nail polish, plastics in the kitchen, and fragrance.

Placenta Extracts

What is it

The extracts are believed to be rich in a wide range of proteins, minerals, amino acids, and steroid hormones.

Concerns

Contamination concerns and risk of infectious disease.

Found in

Some facials and personal care products.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG Compounds)

What is it

PEG is often mixed with an array of hydrating emollients, beneficial fatty acids, and cleansing agents.

Concerns

Contamination concerns with 1,4-Dioxane and Ethylene Oxide.

Found in

Personal care products.

R

Resorcinol

What is it

Synthetic antioxidants often seen in skin-brightening products.

Concerns

Classified as an endocrine receptor disruptor and irritant.

Found in

Personal care products.

S

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES)

What is it

Used primarily as a detergent cleansing agent.

Concerns

Contamination concerns with 1,4-Dioxane and Ethylene Oxide and irritation.

Found in

Personal care products.

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

What is it

Synthetic or plant-derived surfactant (cleansing agent) that also works as an emulsifier.

Concerns

Contamination concerns with Nitrosamines and suspected to be an environmental toxin.

Found in

Personal care products

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

What is it

Anionic surface active agent commonly used in cosmetics.

Concerns

Well-known for causing skin discomfort, which can lead to altered skin barrier function and water-loss.

Found in

Cosmetics and personal care products.

Synthetic Flavor or Fragrance

What is it

Blend of aromatic extracts from natural and synthetic ingredients.

Concerns

Known immune system toxicant and allergen.

Found in

Personal care products.

T

Toluene

What is it

Used as a solvent to dissolve other substances, such as resins and plasticizers.

Concerns

Contamination concerns with Benzene and classified as an irritant.

Found in

Nail products and other personal care products.

Triclosan and Triclocarban

What is it

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent that is commonly found in personal care products.

Concerns

Contamination concerns with Chloroform and Dioxins. Also classified as an irritant.

Found in

Toothpaste and facial cleansers.

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