It's the "so-called" natural products I won't sell that make Clean Nectarine different.
We go well beyond banning the usual 80-plus ingredients most “clean” or “eco-friendly” stores avoid. Our ingredient matrix is built on over 13 years of research and experience to define a higher clean beauty standard that bans at least 13 more questionable ingredients still sold in those stores. Then we take it a step further, categorising everything we sell based on real customer ingredient priorities. We call it the Clean Nectarine Rating System, my way of showing that I’ve listened to what matters most to you.
1. Industry Standard
Most “clean” or “eco-friendly” stores stop at banning around 80 common ingredients such as parabens, mineral oils, sulphates and only some silicones. It’s a start, but it doesn’t go far enough.
2. Clean Nectarine Standard
We take the next step. Our policy also excludes ingredients that other “clean” brands still allow, including phenoxyethanol, fluoride, potassium alum, talc, stearalkonium chloride, sucralose, all silicones, propylene glycol and more.
3. Nectarine Rating System 🍑
Because everyone defines “clean” differently, we’ve created our own rating system for the products that already meet our strict ingredient standards. It helps you choose based on the priorities that matter most to you.
The Clean Nectarine Standard
Where our ban list goes further
1. Phenoxyethanol
Although trace amounts can occur naturally in green tea and chicory, the phenoxyethanol used in cosmetics is entirely synthetic and not permitted under natural or organic certification. Some “clean” or “eco-friendly” stores still allow it, claiming it’s safe in small amounts, but those small amounts can add up across multiple products. We choose to ban it completely.
2. Potassium Alum & Ammonium Alum (Crystal Deodorants)
Despite being marketed as natural alternatives, crystal deodorants aren’t truly aluminium-free. They’re made from potassium alum or ammonium alum, both aluminium compounds. We exclude them entirely.
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.
4. Fluoride
Some stores offer both fluoride and fluoride-free toothpaste as a “customer choice.” We don’t. Our standard is simple: no added fluoride compounds such as sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, amine fluoride or stannous fluoride. We never allow added or industrial fluoride in any toothpaste we sell.
5. Talc
Talc is still permitted under certified natural standards and is found in many popular natural cosmetics. We choose not to allow it. With natural alternatives like corn starch and rice powder available, there’s no reason to keep using it in modern formulations.
6. Silicones (Including Linear Silicones)
Many stores choose to ban only cyclic silicones (also called volatile silicones) such as cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxane and cyclomethicone. We go further, also banning non-cyclic silicones including dimethicone, amodimethicone, dimethiconol, trimethylsiloxysilicate and polysilicone-11. The only exception is nail polish, where non-cyclic silicones are used as there are no cleaner alternatives.
7. Triethanolamine (TEA), Diethanolamine (DEA) & Monoethanolamine (MEA)
These compounds, known collectively as ethanolamines, are sometimes still found in natural or naturally positioned products. They’re not accepted under strict clean beauty standards, and we exclude them entirely.
8. Polyvinyl Compounds & PVP (including VP/Eicosene Copolymer)
These potentially microplastic-based film-forming polymers are often used to create hold, gloss or texture in makeup and hair products. They’re sometimes found in “clean” formulas, but we don’t allow any polyvinyl or PVP ingredients, including VP/eicosene copolymer.
9. Propylene Glycol
Most known for its use in engine coolant and antifreeze, propylene glycol is still found in popular “clean” beauty products. With safer, plant-based alternatives like glycerin and propanediol available, we see no reason to include it in skincare and exclude it entirely.
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.
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 Nectarine Rating System
All products at Clean Nectarine meet our strict ingredient policy. We also recognise that everyone defines “clean” differently. Some prefer to avoid titanium dioxide, while others look for plastic-free packaging. That’s why we created the Nectarine Rating System 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.
🍑 = Passes the Clean Nectarine Standard
Products with one nectarine meet our full ingredient policy and pass the strict Clean Nectarine Standard, including everything on our additional ban list.
These products may contain titanium dioxide, and in some cases, fragrance that isn’t 100% natural from trusted brands like MooGoo (but free from phthalates, nitromusks, or polycyclic musks). D&C colours may also be used when necessary, such as in colour cosmetics or purple shampoo and conditioner. This is also where we’ve included nail polish, as it meets our cleanest possible formulation criteria.
🍑🍑 = Exceeds the Clean Nectarine Standard
Products with two nectarines go above and beyond our base policy. These formulas are typically 100% natural, certified natural or certified organic. They’re fragrance-free or use only natural fragrance. They’re also free from D&C colours and can only contain titanium dioxide in liquid formulations.
In the supplements category, this is where you’ll find our wholefood-based powders, tonics and capsules.
🍑🍑🍑 = Our Highest Tier
Products with three nectarines represent the very best on the market. These formulas are typically 100% natural, certified natural or certified organic. They feature simple, minimal formulations that are fragrance-free or use only natural fragrance, and are free from D&C colours and titanium dioxide. Skincare products in this tier use low- or plastic-free packaging, and supplements include wholefood formulations free from citric acid or maltodextrin.
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 never allow chemical UV filters, including oxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene or octinoxate.
Colorants
We only allow synthetic colourants when needed for functionality, such as colour cosmetics or purple shampoo. We don’t these in skincare, body care or supplements.