Ingredient Restrictions
Real Products. Clean Ingredients. Elevated Lifestyle
At Paris Laundry we want you to feel safe and confident in the products you are purchasing. That means full transparency from all the brands that we carry. You should not have to sacrifice performance with chemicals. There are incredible natural alternatives out there that are pure, clean, and high quality! We use BCPP’s list of chemical restrictions as a baseline, but our vetting process goes well beyond that, as we use the latest research and data on each ingredient. We also test every product to make sure that it meets our standards in performance and luxury.
We believe that a clean lifestyle can still be glamorous!
Below is a list of restricted ingredients that you will not find in our shop.
Aluminum Compounds- a metallic agent found in antiperspirant that blocks the sweat ducts. Potential concerns include, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruptions, skin irritations, and possible carcinogen.
Aminomethyl Propanol- an ingredient used as a pH adjuster and stabilizer in many types of hair products. It can cause reproductive and developmental toxicity as well as form carcinogenic nitrosamines.
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)- A preservative linked to cancer, skin irritation, and hormone disruption.
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)- A Toluene-based preservative linked to skin irritation.
Butoxyethanol- a glycol that functions as a fragrance additive and solvent. Potential concerns include, reproductive toxicity, possible carcinogen, and skin irritant.
Chemical Sunscreens- these include Oxybenzone (or Benzophenone-3), Octinoxate (or octyl methoxycinnamate), Octocrylene, Octisalate, Homosalate. Found in sun care products are may cause cell damage and mutation, along with endocrine disruption.
Coal Tar- a byproduct of coal processing used as a colorant in some products, and anti-dandruff as well. It is a substance that is capable of causing cancer in living tissue. May be labeled as, Coal Tar Solution, P-phenylenediamine, Aminophenol, and Diaminobenzene.
1,4-dioxane- a contaminant unlisted in ingredient labels, it is a byproduct of a process called ethoxylation where ethylene oxide is added to other chemicals to make them less harsh. Found mainly in products that sud, and can lead to organ toxicity, birth defects, and possible carcinogen.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA)- used as a binding agent and penetration enhancer in hair dye, foundation, moisturizers, cleansers, and body wash. May be listed as, Disodium EDTA, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA and HEDTA. Health concern includes organ toxicity.
Formaldehyde- used as a preservative in shampoo, body wash, bubble bath, nail polish, and eyelash glue. May be listed as, DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl urea (formaldehyde releasing), Imidazolidinyl urea (formaldehyde releasing), Quaternium-15 (formaldehyde releasing), Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol), Tosylamide / formaldehyde resin. Potential concerns include, neurotoxicity, allergy trigger, skin/eye irritant, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, carcinogen.
Hydroquinone- used for reducing hyperpigmentation, skin bleaching, and decreasing the production of melanin pigment in the skin. It can be found in skin cleansers and moisturizers. Health concerns include organ toxicity, increase the risk of skin cancer, and carcinogen.
Mercury and Mercury compounds- heavy metals found mainly in mascara and eyeliner. Used as a preservative to delay decomposition by preventing growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. May also be used as an anti-microbial agent. Potential concerns include, nervous system damage from overexposure, and organ toxicity.
Methyl Cellosolve- used as a solvent to dissolve another substance. May be listed as Methoxyethanol found in anti-aging creams and other treatments. Health concerns include cell damage and mutation, skin irritation, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity.
Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone- preservative and fragrance enhancers used in all types hair products. These preservatives are banned from use in leave-on cosmetic products in the EU and restricted to very small amounts in rinse-off products. They can cause skin allergies and irritation and may be toxic to the nervous system.
Mineral Oil- a byproduct of petroleum distillation that can be found in face products such as moisturizers. May be listed as, Liquid paraffin or liquid petrolatum. Potential concerns include, skin irritation, allergy trigger, contact dermatitis, and contamination with PAHs which are linked to cancer.
Nanoparticles- Used to reduce the white chalky tint of mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. A nanoparticle measures in the range of 1-100 nanometers (1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter). Not much is known about the safety and performance of nanoparticles due to the fact that manufacturers are not required to disclose the qualities of particles in skincare products.
Parabens- preservatives added to products to delay the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. May be listed as, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Methylparaben, and Propylparaben. Health concerns include, endocrine disruption, potential carcinogen, immune and reproductive toxicity, and allergy trigger.
Phenoxyethanol- a glycol that can be considered “controversial” in clean beauty as it can be found in nature or synthetic. Almost all phenoxyethanol used in beauty products is synthetic. It is used as a preservative but had been linked to reduced fecundity (longer times to get pregnant), skin irritation, and nervous system suppressant.
Phthalates- made from phthalic acid and found in synthetic fragrance and hairsprays. But is not always labeled in ingredient lists. Health concerns include, endocrine disruptions, and may cause birth defects.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds)- possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens.
Polysorbates- Polysorbate –20, -40, -60, -80 and others. Found in hair products, face products, and all types of body products. Possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)- it is a byproduct of a process called ethoxylation where ethylene oxide is added to other chemicals to make them less harsh. Found in products that lather (soaps, shampoo, cleanser, bubble bath, body wash, etc.). Causes skin irritation, contamination with 1,4-dioxane, and may trigger allergies.
Synthetic Flavoring or Fragrance- “Fragrance” is a manufactured scent or flavoring added material that usually contains dozens of (but has the potential to contain a combination of 3000+) chemical ingredients used to create fragrances. Fragrance and flavor formulas are “trade secrets” and therefore do not have to be disclosed on an ingredient label. May be listed as, flavor, parfum, or fragrance/fragrance blend. Health concerns include, severe skin and respiratory irritation, allergies, migraine, asthma attacks, birth defects, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruptions, and potential carcinogen.
Toluene- a petrochemical derived from benzene which is a known carcinogen. Found in hair dye and nail polish. May be listed as, Toluol, Benzene, Methylbenzene, Phenylmethane. Health concerns include, severe skin and organ irritation, links to blood, brain, and reproductive cancers, neurotoxicity, and birth defects.
Triclosan- a antimicrobial agent, may be listed as Microban. Found in antibacterial hand cleansers, hand sanitizer, and antiperspirant. Health concerns include endocrine disruption.