How Clean is Your Routine? 10 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid and Their Natural Alternatives

Building a brand focussed on natural remedies and skincare free of harsh chemicals was always the goal when creating MION Artisan Soap. Our labels are clean, easy to read with no hidden ingredients. With multi-step skincare routines trending, it's time to discuss the multitude of toxic ingredients being used. Many of these viral products contain toxic ingredients that can do long-term damage to your skin and health. To help you navigate the safety of some of your most coveted products, let’s uncover the ten most hazardous skincare ingredients to avoid and explore natural alternatives that will nourish and rejuvenate your skin.

1. Toxic Ingredient: Parabens are preservatives commonly found in skincare that have been linked to various health risks.

Natural Alternative: Consider products preserved with natural alternatives such as grapefruit seed extract, rosemary extract or vitamin E.

2. Toxic Ingredient: Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is used as a preservative in skincare products.

Natural Alternative: Choose products preserved with natural alternatives like essential oils with antimicrobial properties or vitamin E.

3. Toxic Ingredient: Triclosan is commonly found in antibacterial products and is also known to cause a hormonal imbalance.

Natural Alternative: Opt for natural antimicrobial agents like tea tree oil, neem extract, or colloidal silver.

4. Toxic Ingredient: Oxybenzone, common in chemical sunscreens, disrupts hormones and is awful for the environment!

Natural Alternative: Protect your skin with mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

5. Toxic Ingredient: PEG compounds can be contaminated with carcinogens and penetrate the skin.

Natural Alternative: Products formulated with natural emulsifiers like beeswax, lecithin or plant-derived glycerin are a safer alternative.

6. Toxic Ingredient: Coal tar which is commonly found in dandruff shampoos and psoriasis treatments is a known carcinogen.

Natural Alternative: For scalp conditions, natural alternatives like tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar provide all the same benefits to cleanse your scalp.

7. Toxic Ingredient: Mineral oil, commonly found in moisturizers clogs pores. 

Natural Alternative: Nourish your skin with plant-based oils such as jojoba, argan or a MION favorite rosehip oil.

8. Toxic Ingredient: Synthetic fragrances can contain hundreds of undisclosed chemicals which can be harsh to sensitive skin types and cause unnecessary breakouts.

Natural Alternative: Embrace the therapeutic benefits of pure essential oils instead.

9. Toxic Ingredient: Sulfates strip the skin of its natural oils, which can cause dryness and irritation.

Natural Alternative: Sulfate-free cleansers enriched with gentle alternatives using coconut or amino acids.

10. Toxic Ingredient: Phthalates is typically hidden under the term fragrance and is known to disrupt hormones.

Natural Alternative: Embrace products scented with pure essential oils like lavender, rose or chamomile.

By avoiding these toxic ingredients and embracing natural alternatives, you can cleanse, nourish and protect your skin without compromising your health or the environment. Remember, nature provides everything we need to achieve radiant, healthy skin! We welcome you to stop in and ask us about our products, ingredients and the best solutions for your skincare routine.