The Clean Nectarine NO List
The Clean Nectarine NO List began in 2011 as an ingredient matrix, developed through my work with the National Toxics Network and on Global GreenTag's National Advisory Committee, alongside cosmetic chemists, academics, environmental scientists and Bill Statham, author of The Chemical Maze. It was the blueprint that decided which products I would and wouldn't sell in my first clean beauty store.
Today the NO List builds on the research behind that original matrix, and on fifteen years of selling toxin-free products and speaking to thousands of customers. It assesses ingredients in skincare, personal care and wellness products against global organic and natural certification standards and industry chemical and toxicology databases. It also draws on the experts I have interviewed and consultation with formulators, holistic dentists, naturopaths and nutritionists. Each ingredient is banned, allowed, or allowed with a lower Nectarine Rating.
We ban hundreds of chemicals
The hundreds of chemicals that even the mainstream brands are moving away from. We ban all of these. That's a given.
What we ban that other "clean" stores don't
Ingredients still found in products marketed as natural and sold in other clean beauty and health stores, including phenoxyethanol, dimethicone and propylene glycol.
The Clean Nectarine Rating
Products that pass the NO List are then rated out of three nectarines, based on the ingredients in that formula, so you can shop by what matters most to you.
A typical clean beauty ban list
Standard clean beauty criteria ban 80+ ingredients like the ones below, which you may have seen in other clean standards, but for us, they're only the starting point.
Parabens, methylisothiazolinone (MIT), methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, chemical sunscreen filters (oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, benzophenone), antiperspirant aluminium (aluminium chlorohydrate, aluminium zirconium, aluminium sesquichlorohydrate), some phthalates, triclosan and volatile silicones (cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxane and cyclomethicone).
The ingredients we ban that other clean stores don't
1. Phenoxyethanol
A debated synthetic preservative that is not permitted under the major natural and organic certification standards.
2. Chlorphenesin
A synthetic preservative that is not permitted under the major natural and organic certification standards, and is restricted in the EU to a lower concentration than phenoxyethanol.
3. All Silicones
Other clean standards often ban only volatile silicones. We ban all silicones, including dimethicone, dimethiconol and amodimethicone.
4. PVP, VP/VA copolymer and other polyvinyl compounds
Synthetic vinyl polymers classed as microplastics, including VP/eicosene copolymer and polyvinyl alcohol.
5. Potassium alum, ammonium alum and activated alumina
Aluminium compounds used in crystal and natural deodorants, also sold as "mineral salts" or "natural mineral salts".
6. Fluoride
No added fluoride, including sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, stannous fluoride and amine fluoride.
7. Talc
Talc is still permitted under natural certification standards and can still be found in natural cosmetics. We ban it in all categories, as corn starch and rice powder are available alternatives.
8. Propylene glycol
Still found in popular "clean" beauty products. With plant-based alternatives like glycerin and propanediol available, we exclude it entirely.
9. Ethanolamines (TEA, DEA and MEA)
Triethanolamine, diethanolamine and monoethanolamine are not permitted under the major natural and organic certification standards, and DEA is prohibited in cosmetics in the EU.
10. Artificial Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesulfame K, Neotame)
Found in some “natural” supplements, drinks and oral care, we don’t believe these synthetic additives belong in clean formulations. While some stores still allow sucralose, we choose to ban all three.
3. Activated Alumina
Used in many popular water filters, activated alumina is made from aluminium oxide. Because it’s an aluminium-based compound, it doesn’t meet our no-aluminium standard, so we don’t sell any filters or products containing it.
11. Stearalkonium Chloride
Used as an anti-static or detangling agent, stearalkonium chloride can be found in some natural hair care products despite being on the EWG Unacceptable list. It’s a quaternary ammonium compound that doesn’t meet our ingredient standards.
The Clean Nectarine Rating
All products at Clean Nectarine pass the Clean Nectarine NO List before they're stocked. We also recognise that everyone defines "clean" differently. Some prefer to avoid titanium dioxide in foundations, while others prefer to avoid citric acid in their supplements. That's why we created the Clean Nectarine Rating, to help you shop with confidence and find products that align with your own clean values.
Just look for one, two or three nectarines on each product listing. Here's how it works, click on the plus sign below to find out more.
Three nectarines is our highest rating, and it's where every product starts. It has passed the Clean Nectarine NO List, and there is nothing else on its label that loses a nectarine.
Two nectarines means a product has passed the Clean Nectarine NO List, but ingredients in the formulation lose a nectarine for containing:
Titanium dioxide (cream or liquid), An ethoxylated emulsifier
A synthetic anti-dandruff active
In supplements, synthetic or isolated nutrients rather than wholefood
Titanium dioxide in a powder, loose or pressed, where it can be breathed in
A microplastic polymer
A synthetic colour (an FD&C or D&C dye)
A synthetic fragrance
Synthetic vitamin E (listed as DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate)
Nail polish, where there is no cleaner alternative on the market
The Clean Nectarine NO List Q&A
What is the Clean Nectarine NO List?
The ingredient ban list every product at Clean Nectarine is checked against before it's stocked. It was created by founder Irene Falcone, who built and sold Nourished Life, Australia's original clean beauty retailer, and covers the roughly 80 ingredients the industry already avoids plus eleven more
ingredient groups most "clean" stores still allow.
How is it different from other clean beautystandards?
Most "clean" or "eco-friendly" stores stop at banning around 80 common ingredients like parabens, sulphates and mineral oils.
The Clean Nectarine NO List goes further, also banning phenoxyethanol, all silicones, talc, added fluoride, crystal deodorant alums, propylene glycol, ethanolamines, PVP polymers, artificial sweeteners and stearalkonium chloride.
Does Clean Nectarine really check every product?
Yes. Every label is read and checked against the NO List before a product goes on the shelf, and products that don't meet it aren't stocked, even from brands we otherwise love.
Where can I see a product's rating?
Every product page shows its nectarine rating under the photos, and you can filter by rating on collection pages. If you're unsure about a product or an ingredient, write to me and I'll check the label with you.
Other Considerations
Always Cruelty-Free
We do not sell any products or work with any brands that conduct animal testing of any kind. Every brand we partner with shares our commitment to ethical sourcing, ingredient integrity and sustainability.
Packaging & Shipping
All orders are packed in recyclable cardboard boxes with Australian-made compostable void fill made from natural corn starch. It’s 100% biodegradable, water-soluble and non-toxic.
Sunscreens
We only sell mineral-based sunscreen made with zinc oxide. We don't sell sunscreens containing oxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene or octinoxate.
Colourants
We only allow synthetic colourants when needed for functionality, such as colour cosmetics or purple shampoo. We don’t allow these in skincare, body care or supplements.