No Harmful Chemicals
Nature Good, Harmful Chemicals Bad
INGREDIENTS WE NEVER USE
We’re taking a stand
Plant Origen proudly stands on top of the mountain, triumphantly yelling "Hell no!" and taking a stand.
The Sh*t List
Meet our Sh*t List, a roster of ingredients that we vow to never use in any of our products. We refuse to cut corners and we avoid both common and lesser-known chemicals, synthetics and preservatives that can have a range of adverse effects on your lungs and body.
1. Parabens
Function: Common chemical preservative.
Relevant Product Types: Many products, including car perfumes.
Parabens are a class of preservatives that include methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben. Studies have evaluated the potential impacts of these preservatives as endocrine disrupting chemicals or carcinogens. The science is not well-developed yet, so we err on the side of caution and avoid parabens in our products.
2. Phthalates
Function: Solvent used with many different fragrances.
Relevant Product Types: Many Products, including car perfumes.
Phthalates have been extensively studied and shown to have a variety of negative impacts on health with chronic exposure, including endocrine disruption. We commit to avoiding phthalates in our products.
3. Sulfates
Function: Surfactant.
Relevant Product Types: Many products, including car perfumes.
Sulfates are a common ingredient in car perfume products act as dispersants, helping to break down and spread fragrance oils and other ingredients evenly within the air when sprayed. We avoid sulfates because they can be too effective, leading to irritation to the skin.
4. DMDM Hydantoin
Function: Synthetic preservative.
Relevant Product Types: Many products
DMDM hydantoin functions as a preservative and antimicrobial agent. It works by slowly releasing formaldehyde, which helps prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and yeast, thereby extending the product's shelf life and ensuring it remains fresh and free from contamination. We avoid DMDM Hydantoin because it can be sensitizing and lead to contact dermatitis for those allergic to formaldehyde.
5. FD&C Colors
Function: Synthetic coloring agent
Relevant Product Types: Many products
FD&C colorants such as Blue #1, Yellow #5, and Red #40 are synthetic coloring agents. These ingredients do not serve any purpose beyond artificial coloring. We use natural colorants or no colorants at all.
6. Mineral Oil
Function: Serves as a carrier or diluent for fragrance oils
Relevant Product Types: Car perfumes and fragrances
Mineral oil is derived from petroleum. It often a refined petroleum-based liquid, serves as a carrier or diluent for fragrance oils, helping them to be dispersed and released into the car's interior. It acts as a base, ensuring the fragrance is evenly distributed and the scent lasts longer. We avoid this ingredient because of the impact on the environment from petroleum extraction and refining.
7. MIT/CIT (Methylisothiazolinone / Methylchloroisothiazolinone)
Function: Synthetic preservative
Relevant Product Types: Many products
MIT/CIT are preservatives that have been shown to cause allergic reactions in some people and have sensitizing potential. Methylisothiazolinone was banned in the EU in 2016 for use in leave-on products.
8. Nitro & Polycyclic Musks
Function: Synthetic substitutes for natural fragrance
Relevant Product Types: Many products
Nitro and polycyclic musks are synthetic fragrance components. Originally created to replace the usage of animal musks, some studies in animals have linked them to the potential disruption of the endocrine and reproductive systems. While the same evidence has not been clearly established in human studies, we avoid these synthetic compounds in an abundance of caution.
9. Petrolatum
Function: Perfume carrier
Relevant Product Types: Creams, balms, ointments
Petrolatum, also known as petroleum jelly, is a byproduct of petroleum manufacturing. is often used as a component in car perfumes to help them last longer and create a more lasting fragrance. We avoid this ingredient because of the impact on the environment from petroleum extraction and refining.
10. PEGs
Function: Common emulsifier
Relevant Product Types: Car Perfumes
Polyethylene glycols are synthetic petrochemicals used in car perfume products as thickeners, softeners, and solvents. They are produced via ethoxylation, which can result in impurities such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane that are known carcinogens.