Phenoxyethanol is not allowed in any certified natural or certified organic products (by any Certification standards). It's a controversial ingredient used as a preservative in many brands claiming to be natural. Concerns are around possible endocrine disruption and contamination with 1,4-Dioxane – a carcinogenic.

Typically natural crystal deodorants (and some other natural deodorants) contain Potassium Alum or Ammonium Alum Salts. Sometimes these are called Mineral Salts. While they are naturally derived, and claim to be safer than Aluminium Chlorohydrate used in mainstream antiperspirant (due to a larger molecular structure), they are not aluminium-free.

Activated Alumina is commonly used in water filters to remove fluoride from drinking water. The filter is made by treating Aluminium Ore (Bauxite) so that it becomes porous and highly adsorptive. The percentage of fluoride removed is greatly dependent on the pH of the water (the higher the pH the less effective) and some studies have shown to leech Alumina (Aluminium) back into the water. Clean Nectarine does not sell water filters that use Activated Alumina.

Typical fluoride toothpaste contains water-soluble fluorine compounds listed in the ingredients as Sodium Monofluorophosphate or Sodium Fluoride (other names include Amine Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride, Phosphorofluoridic Acid, Sodium Salt and Sodium Phosphorofluoridate).

Natural toothpaste brands often add fluoride to some of their products to give customers a wider range. For example even brands we love like Grants and Lavera offer options with fluoride added.

Clean Nectarine only sells fluoride-free toothpaste and does not sell the options with added fluoride.

Important Note: Calcium Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral insoluble in water and is present in the Weleda Ratanhia Mouthwash in a highly diluted form. After a lot of research we have decided to allow this product in our store for sale.

Talc can be certified asbestos-free, which is why it is allowed in cosmetics that are Certified Natural. For example, certified asbestos-free talc is used in some Benecos and Dr. Hauschka BDIH Certified products. However, we have learned a lot more about the dangers of talc over the last 10 years and I have noticed talc being phased out from these brands, with new products released using corn or rice starch. Plus, since we now know even asbestos-free talc should be avoided in the pelvic areas, I have taken the decision to completely ban it at Clean Nectarine (even in Certified products).

The concerns around Polysorbate 20 is the possible contamination of 1,4-Dioxane - a known carcinogen. Polysorbate 20 is a popular ingredient in natural skincare and was found in some Antipodes and Acure products so this is why we don't stock the full range from those brands. In addition we do not stock products containing Polysorbate 80 or Polysorbate 85.

Important note: Some Moogoo products contain the food grade Emulsifier Polysorbate 60 which we have allowed on our store.

Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone and Cyclopentasiloxane are all silicones that are used in beauty products and also found in some natural beauty products like haircare, moisturisers and primers.

We do not stock any food products or supplements containing artificial colours or flavours. (eg. we don't stock Unichi Hair Boost Gummies or Raww Dew Drop Serum as they contain Blue 1/Brilliant Blue). Synthetic colours are unnecessary in these types of products.

*We do stock some cosmetic products such as lipsticks, eyeliners and nail polish which contain synthetic colours. In these instances we have added a disclaimer to the product description outlining the exact shade so you can make an informed choice.

This hair conditioning ingredient scores a high 7 on the EWG database and is on the EWG unacceptable list.

Unfortunately this is used in all the Acure brand of natural conditioners. We asked Acure about this ingredient and whilst they adhere to the safe usage levels in their formulations, they do not plan to reformulate. Given that it is not allowed at any usage level according to the EWG certification we have made the decision to exclude those products from our store.

Triethanolamine (TEA) is part of the MEA/DEA/TEA Thanolamines family of chemicals that work as surfactants and emulsifying ingredients. They are made through a chemical reaction of ethylene oxide with ammonia score a high rating on the EWG database but can be found in some natural cosmetics including the Raww brand of mascara.

There are a number of ingredients within the Vinyl family including Polyvinyl & PVP which and can be found in moisturisers and mascara's marketed as natural.

(We have made an exception to this rule for nail polish only)

Propylene Glycol is also known as Anti-Freeze and with plant based alternatives such as Humectant Glycerine there is no need for Propylene Glycol to be present in natural formulations.

Sucralose, also listed as E955 is an artificial sweetener that can be found hidden in popular all-in-one green powders and superfood elixirs found in health food stores. This ingredient has been linked to Diabetes and Leaky Gut and is listed as a possible Carcinogen.