what we won't use and why Home > about us > What we won’t use

Regardless of what you may read on the internet, ingredients used in skin care products can never cause cancer. There isn't any record of even one person who has developed cancer from their skin care products.

 A more relevant question to consider about skin care products might be - will the ones you choose AGE your skin because of the ingredients they contain?

Consider what we think of as the flashy, trashy skin products. This category includes from the very cheapest to the most hideously expensive - believe us, the ingredients are much the same! Our opinion of these is that they provide no nutrients whatsoever for the skin. Don't be concerned by the internet sites which say that many ingredients which these products contain will cause cancer etc. What they certainly WILL do (apart from waste your money) is to prematurely age the skin, and often cause sensitivity, congestion, dryness and flakiness – if you’re unlucky, all of these.

Then there are the alleged 'natural' and ‘organic’ skin care ranges – the problem with these is that a) they often contain many of the above ingredients and b) generally they just don’t work. The reason - too little in the way of active ingredients, and, even though the herbs may be 'organic', they are too weak. 'Organic' status bears no relationship to the strength of the extracts, or as we say, the extracts don't meet 'medicinal strength'. 

As well, the plant/herb extracts used often aren't freshly prepared but are bought from one of the big suppliers (usually sourced from China/India). If that's not enough, these plant extracts are then generally preserved in a base of propylene glycol (read how this ingredient adversely affects skin below) which is not required to be shown on the ingredients list).

If still in doubt please read the testimonials on our website. The proof is in the using!

And here are just some of the ingredients we won’t use - either because they do absolutely nothing for the skin - or they cause the skin problems mentioned above.

A
Added Fragrance (Synthetic and 'Natural') - See 'Fragrance'  
Did you know? Simplicité products are unique in that they don't contain ANY sort of added fragrance - synthetic or 'natural'. The plant extracts used in Simplicite products have their own (delicious) 'smells' -   because these extracts are 'medicinal' quality and are concentrated i.e. 'strong' compared to the very watered down versions in other products.

Alcohol - when used in skin care products alcohol irritates and dries the skin. Beware - ingredients such as 'ethanol', 'sugar cane ethanol' and 'fermented grain extract' are also alcohol. And ‘organic grain alcohol’ is alcohol too! So are 'SD alcohol’ and 'denatured alcohol'.

Don't believe the brands which say that the alcohol used in their products isn't drying to skin - alcohol by nature IS DRYING TO SKIN! No matter in what form or 'carefully blended combination'.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN/alcohol.html

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) aka Fruit Acids - include Gycolic Acid, Lactic Acid -  and anything listed as 'Fruit Extract' eg  We can’t ever guarantee the results of our products whenever anyone is using Alpha Hydroxy Acids (also Beta Hydroxy Acids) - whether they're made from fruit or not. We believe the 'made from fruit' statement to be highly misleading. Many people find AHAs deform the opening of the pores - this results in deeper congestion - which I know is contrary to the manufacturer's claims. We  think AHAs are barbaric and a very 'unclever' way of dealing with skin issues. AHAs are used to polish stainless steel appliances and should not be used on the skin at even the so-called 'low' concentrations".

This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/alpha-hydroxy-acid.html

Animal products – e.g. collagen from cows. Only plant extracts contain nutrients in the form that the skin can most easily use. Animal products have to go through your digestive tract before they are of any use!
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://shopenchem.en.made-in-china.com/product/HqbnaVcThMrZ/China-Hydrolyzed-Collagen.html 

Aromatherapy extracts – the lesser quality ones - - these contain high levels of impurities and are generally ineffective. 
These ingredients are made in China. One example:
http://www.herb-extracts-china.com/p-Aromatherapy-Essential-Oil-129900/

(Note: Simplicité uses only the 'practitioner' grade aromartherapy extracts – the equivalent standard to 'medicinal grade' herbal extracts.)

Ascorbyl Glucoside - a synthetic Vitamin C. Has been shown to cause sensitivity in skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.tradekey.com/ks-ascorbyl-glucoside/

B
Benzyl alcohol - this is produced naturally by many plants and is commonly found in fruits and teas. Not that this means much because it exists naturally in only very small amounts. The benzyl alcohol you see in skin care products is the same as what is synthesised industrially for use as a general solvent for inks, paints, lacquers, and it is also used in the preparation of epoxy resin coatings. Are we stating the obvious to say that it's irritating and caused congestion?
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/Benzyl_Alcohol.html

 Butylene Glycol – used as a stabilizer in cremes and lotions. No nutrient value for skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/butylene-glycol.html

C
Carbomer 940/carbopol – made by BF Goodrich 'the tyre people'. This ingredient is used to thicken creams and make eye gels. It is completely lacking in nutrient or any skin-health benefits. Also see Triethanolamine (TEA) 
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/carbopol-940.html

Castor oil – this is a prime example of something proudly declared to be a plant extract. Using this ingredient is just a cheap, easy way of making a smooth emollient cream. There is significant danger to the long-term health of workers involved in harvesting and processing castor beans to manufacture this ingredient. Plus, they are paid a pittance.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/products-list/0-k-c-1/Castor_Oil.html

Cetyl Alcohol – a white, waxy substance which is used in skin care products as a thickener. No nutrient value for skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/cetyl-stearyl-alcohol.html

Coco-Glucoside – synthetic foaming agent produced by a chemical reaction between glucose and coconut oil-derived ingredients.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.chinachemnet.com/35385/Coco-glucoside-1485277.html

Cyclopentasiloxane – this colourless, odourless ingredient is only used in skin care to give a slippery feel to the creme or lotion. Skin can feel softer after use – there’s no lasting value. See silicones.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.chemnet.com/Suppliers/6120/cyclopentasiloxane--1279767.html

D
Dextrin – another ingredient that's used to bind the others together. Does nothing whatsoever for skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/dextrin.html

Dimethicone- colourless, odourless, used to give a slippery feel to the products - provides no nutrients whatsoever to the skin – see Silicones.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://robinsony.en.made-in-china.com/product/FMSQOYyUhxRE/China-Dimethicone.html

E
Ethylhexylglycerin – a preservative which has been found to be irritating to skin.e
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.acridine-raw-material.net/New-Products/Ethylhexylglycerin/

Fragrance – It’s synthetic – what more can we say? It irritates and dries the skin. 
Fragrance (various types) are made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/synthetic-fragrance.html
ALSO
'Natural' fragrances - i.e. geraniol, linalool, citronellol etc  – are ‘bits’ taken from plants which have been grown and processed in China/India. We believe that to add any sort of fragrance means that a) the product doesn't naturally smell good, and b) the plant ingredients it contains must be weak i.e. ineffective - because they aren't concentrated enough or used in enough quantity to have their own natural fragrance.
Added ‘natural’ fragrances are made in China. Linalool for example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/linalool.html 

G 
Glycerin – a colourless, odourless ingredient with no nutrient value for skin. It's used to give skin care products a smooth feel.There's nothing wrong with glycerine - but most products use such large amounts of it - and in supposedly concentrated products such as serums.
This ingredient is made in China.
One example:http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN/glycerine.html 

Glycolic Acid - see AHA's.

Grape-seed extract, grapefruit seed extract - used as preservatives in most 'organic' and 'natural' ranges. We believe these can irritate the skin and cause sensitivity, particularly because these have to be used in large amounts to be effective. Why are they used if they are ineffective? Reason – they give ‘label cred’ for ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ ranges. So then, another preservative, Phenoxyethanol, has to be added for effective preserving.

Grape-seed extract, grapefruit seed extract are made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/grapefruit-seed-extract.html   

(Read details of how Simplicité preserves cremes and lotions.) 

H
Hyaluronic Acid, also known as Sodium Hyaluronate – causes skin flakiness. This is a by-product of the Chinese abattoir industry (think roosters combs, animal eyeballs) which has been shown to encourage flaky skin and even skin cancers - quite opposite to the skin hydrator it's promoted as being. There is a 'natural' version which is just as unsuitable for skin - it's made from bacteria commonly found in bowel and respiratory infections in horses. Read details.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?Country=&SearchText=hyaluronic+cockscomb+acid&IndexArea=product_en&fsb=y

Hydrogenated oils – these are one step away from becoming margarine. They lack nutrients and introduce products of oxidation into the skin - which ages it. Hydrogenated oils also get caught in the pores and so cause congestion.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/hydrogenated-oil.html

Hydrolyzed Protein – used to give silky feel to products. Not nutrient value for skin whatsoever.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN/hydrolyzed-protein-supplier.html

Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate - used to ‘bulk out’ and thicken skin care products. No nutrient value whatsoever for skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.chemnet.com/ChinaSuppliers/11686/Hydroxypropyl-Starch-Phosphate--1365190.html

I
Isononyl Isononanoate – used to give products a silky, smooth feel. No nutrient value for skin whatsoever.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.chemnet.com/ChinaSuppliers/9562/Products-Catalog--2.html

Lanolin - wool fat from sheep or goats. Do we really have to say more? This is a heavyweight animal fat which weighs down the skin and sits on the top. It is best used to prevent nuts and bolts rusting in a marine environment.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/lanolin.html

M
Mineral oil (aka Paraffinum Liquidum) - this is often the first or second ingredient in many skin care creams and lotions including 'natural' ranges. This is light engine oil and is completely nutrient-less. As a component of crude oil it is carcinogenic when applied to the skin over a long period of time. It also leaches nutrients from the skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/mineral-oil.html

P
PABA –the worst sunscreen agent we can think of. It should have been outlawed years ago.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/paba-powder.html

Parabens – preservatives which, in high amounts, can cause irritation. There are so many better alternatives available now that there is rarely a need to use them.
These ingredients are made in China. One example:
http://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/Methyl_Paraben.html

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate slightly yellowish odourless liquid which is used to improve the feel of skin care products. Absolutely no nutrient value to skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://detail.china.alibaba.com/buyer/offerdetail/678298917.html

Petrochemicals (aka petrolatum – Vaseline) are derived from crude oil. These dry the skin and introduce ageing elements into it.
Petrolatum is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN/white-petrolatum.html

Phenoxyethanol – a preservative used in combination with the grape-seed and grapefruit seed extract preservatives in the 'organic' and 'natural' ranges. We believe this colourless, oily liquid irritates the skin and causes sensitivity. 
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/phenoxyethanol.html

Plant Extracts – the commercial i.e. low grade quality (the opposite of Simplicité’s freshly made extracts using medicinal grade plants.)
Commercial Grade Plant Extracts are made in China. One example:
http://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/Plant_Extract.html

Polymethylsilsesquioxane- see Silicones.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.lookchem.com/cas-685/68554-70-1.html

Propylene glycol – a clear, viscous compound used primarily as a lubricant in skin care products – to make them glide on more easily. It irritates the skin and causes flakiness. (No wonder – it's used to make anti-freeze as well as in being used in skin care products.)
Even if it's not listed in an ingredient list propylene glycol will often be present. When plant/herb extracts aren't freshly prepared but are bought from one of the big suppliers i.e. the commercial/low quality ones which are grown and processed in China/India and are preserved and shipped in a propylene glycol base. The propylene glycol base is not required to be shown on product ingredient lists.This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN/propylene-glycol.html

S
Sd Alcohol 40-A (Alcohol Denat). – see Alcohol
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/promotion/promotion_sd-alcohol-promotion-list.html

Silicones (simethicone, dimethicone, anything ending in -cone, including cyclopentasiloxane, polymethylsilsesquioxane etc) –colourless, odourless and completely lacking in nutrient value for skin – though they do an outstanding job of making the dashboard of your car look polished and shiny! Silicones are used to create the 'slippery' feel that a lot of skin care and hair care products have - but don't offer any lasting benefits beyond this. In fact we believe these ingredients introduce ageing substances into the skin and hair.
Silicones are ideal furniture and floor polishes yet they feature prominently in most ranges, from the expensive French and American brands to the cheaper and ‘supermarket’ ones. Silicones are also commonly found in ‘natural’ skin care products, and of course in just about all hair products - NOT Simplicité's.
Thes ingredients are made in China. One example:
http://robinsony.en.made-in-china.com/product/FMSQOYyUhxRE/China-Dimethicone.html

Sodium Hyaluronate, also known as Hyaluronic Acid - a by-product of the Chinese abattoir industry (think roosters combs, animal eyeballs) which has been shown to encourage flaky skin and even skin cancers - quite opposite to the skin hydrator it's promoted as being. There is a 'natural' version which is just as unsuitable for skin - it's made from bacteria commonly found in bowel and respiratory infections in horses. Read details.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?Country=&SearchText=cockscomb+sodium+hyaluronate&IndexArea=product_en&fsb=y

Sodium lauryl sulphate – this is usually synthesised from petro-chemical sources and is found in products ranging from the cheapest $3 shampoos to the most expensive skincare products. We don't use it because it is extremely drying to the skin. Contrary to popular belief, there is not one shred of evidence in peer-reviewed literature that SLS causes 'cancer'. 
Sodium lauryl sulphate is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/sodium-lauryl-sulphate.html

Simplicite products which need a foaming agent contain Sodium LAURETH sulphate which is extracted from the flesh of coconuts (sustainably harvested).  We use the highest quality available - it's available in at least seven grades).

Sorbitol – a thickening agent,  also used to create the ‘slippery’ feel. No nutrient value whatsoever for skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
 http://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/Sorbitol.html

Squalane,Squalene - what is used in most skin care products is a colourless, odourless ingredient made from shark livers.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/squalene-shark-liver-oil.html
(Note: Squalene in Simplicité products comes from medicinal grade wheatgerm sourced in Australia. This quality and source of squalene has been shown to protect against skin cancer cell growth.)

Stearic Acid – used to give a pearly effect in skin care products.
This ingredient is made in China. One example: 
http://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/Stearic_Acid.html

T
Tetrasodium EDTA - http://www.ecvv.com/product_directory/tetrasodium-edta.html

Tocopherol –fat-soluble vitamin E isolated from vegetable oil and added to skin care products in order to provide antioxidant.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.supplierlist.com/product_view/bekeylala/204537/101107/d-alpha_Tocopherol.htm
(Note: Simplicité products don’t need to have this China-produced 'antioxidant' ingredient added – because they are made using the highest quality available, medicinal-grade extracts the very high levels of antioxidants are there naturally.)

Totarol – anti-bacterial, preservative used in skin and oral care. Congests and irritates the skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:http://www.cosmetic-ingredient.com/cosmetic/Antioxidant/Totarol/

Triethanolamine (TEA) – a significant negative when using carbomers is having to use this ingredient to 'rebalance' the pH of the carbomer-based creams and gels. Irritating to skin.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN/triethanolamine-tea.html

U
Urea - congests the skin, causes irritation.
This ingredient is made in China. One example:
http://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/Urea.html

Simplicité active ingredients are listed under each product description - for the full ingredient list for each product please email us.