What Is Toxin Free Skincare?

When we created House of Hilt Skincare, we wanted to be known as more than a “natural” brand: we wanted to be known as a brand that specifically avoids using toxic ingredients in our products. We would rather not create skincare than compromise our products by using harmful ingredients.

So what is a nontoxic product? It’s one that’s made with ingredients that are not harmful to your body. We believe that natural ingredients work for themselves. Nature is perfect, complete and intelligent; the more it is manipulated, the less valuable it becomes.

An important caveat: not everything that comes from a lab is toxic. For example, squeezing the juice from an orange or a lemon directly on your face so your skin can get Vitamin C can be extremely irritating. But Vitamin C made in a lab, like the 25% lipophilic Vitamin C in our Amber Primrose Facial Oil, is stable, works well with the other botanical ingredients in the serum, and is easily absorbed by the skin.  

Here are seven toxic chemicals to look out for the next time you check your product labels. 

Parabens

Hormone disruptors that are typically used as preservatives in cosmetic products, five kinds of parabens are banned in Europe due to their link to breast cancer and skin cancer, and others are strictly regulated. 

Artificial fragrance

Often labeled as “fragrance” or “parfum” on a product’s label, the concept of using the word “fragrance” as in ingredient was originally intended to protect the proprietary ingredients of perfume houses. These days, the term is unregulated, and any number of potentially harmful ingredients can fall under the umbrella of fragrance. 

Diethanolamine (DEA) 

This ingredient helps products foam (think soap, bubble bath, shampoo, etc.). It’s restricted in Europe and has been linked to carcinogenic responses in animals. 

Propylene glycol

Also known as a surfactant in its liquid state, propylene glycol is often found in moisturizers, hair-care products, and makeup. It can cause eczema-like skin irritation and other allergic reactions. 

BHT

Another preservative, BHT is also an endocrine disruptor that has been shown to cause allergic reactions and respiratory irritation. 

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a highly toxic ingredient that can be lethal if inhaled in vaporous form and cause chemical burns if it comes into contact with the skin in high doses. It’s found in lower doses in soap, hair products, nail polish, body wash and makeup. It can cause rashes, allergies and has been linked to cancer. 

Pthalates

Pthalates are chemicals used to increase the flexibility of plastics and make them harder to break. They are endocrine disruptors and presumed to affect human reproduction or development; one type of phthalate (DEHP) has been proven to cause cancer.  

Triclosan

An ingredient that’s used to prevent bacterial contamination, triclosan is found in soaps and some toothpastes and cosmetics. Banned in Europe, triclosan has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor in animals, and has the potential to alter hormones, create antibiotic resistance and affect the gut microbiome.