Ingredients to avoid
Mandala has made a commitment to provide the purest possible products. Some of the ingredients below may not be proven to be toxic (with peer reviewed clinical data) but there is enough industry debate to raise concern. We believe in using ingredients in as natural a state as possible with the least amount of processing. We guarantee never to include the following ingredients.
Kaolin Clay is used as a cheap bulking agent. It is an absorbant clay and can be very drying on the skin with repeated use and long wear.
Rice Powder is another cheap bulking agent used as a filler. Although there are no undesirbale effects when using rice on the skin, its addition to mineral powders means the mineral content of the product is greatly reduced. This effectively means the potential benefits and sun protection factors of the product are greatly diminished. It is used by manufacturers so a product can be produced very cheaply. However, in the process, the quality of the product suffers greatly.
Talc has a similar fibre structure to that of asbestos. It is known to be hazardous (considered a carconigen in some studies) to health although studies vary on providing information on the severity. In some studies, links have been found to respiratory toxicity and to ovarian and lung cancer. Talc has been under investigation for over 30 years and the concerns about its affects on health are ongoing. It is still used in many cosmetics and is often used as a bulking agent in face powders. (http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm)
Bismuth Oxychloride is a substance produced as a by product of lead and copper refining. It has a similar chemical make up to arsenic. It is used widely in cosmetics as a binder. In fact you will find it in most make-up brands including many ‘mineral’ brands. Please read labels! You will come across this chemical more commonly than the others listed here. The heavy nature of this substance means it can clog pores and may cause skin irritation. This binder may provide good consistency in the product itself but does not offer benefits in regards to how well the product adheres to the skin. It usually requires heavier and firmer application onto the skin for good coverage. It can cause the skin to itch and become irritated. It has also been linked (via ingestion) to memory loss, convulsion, confusion, intellectual impairment, kidney and cardiovascular toxicity (The Chemical Maze. Bill Stratham. Possibility.com. 2006. Australia and The Cancer Prevention Coalition. Article: Time to Protect Babies From Dangerous Products: http://www.preventcancer.com/publications/pdf/Time%20to%20Protect%20Babies%20feb2805.htm).
Paraben Preservatives
(butyl, ethyl, methyl, propyl etc.; synthetic esters of hydroxybenzoic acid)
These preservatives may cause allergic reaction, endocrine disruption, contact dermatitis, possible links to hormonal imbalances and increase in breast cancer. They may be toxic if ingested. Several studies outline links between the use of parabens and abnormal hormonal changes and breast cancer (The Chemical Maze. Bill Stratham. Possibility.Com. 2006. Australia).
Chemical Dyes (FD & C) can cause detrimental health affects such as; skin rash, allergic reaction and Asthma. Many FD&C colours are known carcinogens, not only when ingested, but also when applied to the skin. Some artificial coal tar colours contain heavy metal impurities including arsenic and lead (The Cancer Prevention Coalition. ‘Cosmetics & Personal Care Products Can be Cancer Risks’. http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/cosmetics_personal_care.htm.).
Synthetic Fragrance and Perfume additives can be toxic. These ingredients are leading causes of irritation, sensitisation and allergies. When exposed to UV rays they can, in some cases, cause permanent abnormal pigmentation. They are known to be toxic to the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract and reproductive and nervous systems via direct skin absorption and inhalation (The Cancer Prevention Coalition. ‘Fragrances & Perfumes can Be Toxic. http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/fragrances.htm).
Mineral Oil can inhibit proper functioning of the skin, is occlusive (prevents oxygen access to the skin), can cause kidney toxicity and neurotoxicity, may be phototoxic (The Chemical Maze. Bill Stratham. Possibility.com. 2006. Australia).
Dimethicone is derived from silica using the petrochemical methanol. Although its direct toxicity rating is usually low, it has been known to cause skin irritation and allergic reaction. Due to its chemical make up it can also occlude the skin (prevents oxygen access) and may clogs pores. It is used as a binder in pressed powders. That is why Mandala does not offer a pressed powder (The Chemical Maze. Bill Stratham. Possibility.com. 2006. Australia).
Any ingredient sourced from animals or insects (including Carmine, Honey & Beeswax)
Mandala is 100% Vegan. No product contains any substance or by-product from animals or insects. Carmine, a common colour additive in cosmetics and some foods, is sourced from the crushed and boiled wings of the Cochineal insect. It produces the deep blue/red tones associated with cherry or blood red colours.
Chemical Sun Blocking Agents. Including:
Methoxycinniamte
Benzophenones (dixoybenzone, oxybenzone)
PABA and PABA esters (ethyl dihydroxy propyl PAB, glyceryl PABA, p-aminobenzoic acid, padimate-O or octyl dimethyl PABA);
Cinnamates (cinoxate, ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate)
Salicylates (ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, octyl salicylate)
Digalloyl trioleate
Menthyl anthranilate
Avobenzone [butyl-methyoxydibenzoylmethane
Many of these chemical sun blocking agents are used in industrial processes as free radical generators to initiate chemical reactions. Benzophenone, for example, is activated by ultraviolet light energy that breaks benzophenone’s double bond to produce two free radical sites. The free radicals then react with other molecules and produce damage to the fats, proteins, and DNA of the cells - the types of damage that produce skin aging and the development of cancer. The six main chemicals used in suncreens have been found to penetrate the skin and have been identified in urine and breast milk (http://reverseskinaging.com/toxicsunscreens2.html and http://www.skinbiology.com/toxicsunscreens.html)