Every product we make replaces a familiar, conventional counterpart — the toothpaste, shampoo, or soap already in most people's bags. Here's what's commonly in those conventional versions, why some people choose to avoid it, and what we use instead.
| Conventional ingredient | Commonly found in | Why some people avoid it | What we use instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triclosan / Triclocarban | Antibacterial soaps, some toothpaste | The FDA banned triclosan and triclocarban from over-the-counter antibacterial hand and body washes in 2016, citing a lack of evidence they work better than plain soap and open safety questions. | Tea tree and clove essential oils for antibacterial action |
| Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES) | Toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, dish and laundry soap | A known irritant for sensitive skin and mouths. SLES specifically can carry trace 1,4-dioxane, a manufacturing byproduct classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. | Castile soap and bentonite clay for cleaning power without the sulfate |
| Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butylparaben) | Lotions, deodorants, cosmetics as preservatives | Some studies show weak estrogen-mimicking activity. The EU restricts propyl- and butylparaben in leave-on products for children under 3 as a precaution. | Small batches made fresh, with a shorter shelf life instead of a synthetic preservative |
| Synthetic fragrance ("parfum") | Nearly everything — soap, deodorant, cleaners, lotion | Trade-secret laws let manufacturers list "fragrance" as one word covering dozens of undisclosed chemicals, some of which are phthalates used to make scent last longer and are linked to hormone disruption in research. | Named, single-source essential oils — you can see exactly which oils are in every product |
| Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea) | Shampoo, lotion, liquid soap | These slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde over time to keep bacteria from growing in the product. Formaldehyde is a recognized human carcinogen at sufficient exposure levels. | Fresh, small-batch production instead of a multi-year shelf-stable formula |
We're not claiming every product with these ingredients is dangerous, or that using them once will cause harm — regulatory bodies differ in how strictly they treat each one, and exposure level matters. What we are saying is that these are common, well-documented reasons people look for an alternative, and it's the reason this brand exists: so you can choose products built without them in the first place.