At The Sensitive Type we only create formulas using ingredients that meet the below initial screening criteria:
- Great for all skin types
- Great for sensitive skin
- Vegan
- Environmentally friendly
- Enough research has been conducted on the ingredient for us to be comfortable putting it in our products
If an ingredient does not meet the above screening criteria we don’t investigate it further and we don’t use it. We have listed below all of the ingredients that we don’t use, but which we commonly see being used in other skincare products.
This list may change as we find out more information about ingredients and their effects.
If you have a question about any ingredient at all, our team are always happy to help, simply email us at hello@thesensitivetype.co
The Commonly Used Ingredients:
Colour (Synthetic & Natural)
Colours and dyes that are commonly added to skincare can greatly increase your risk of sensitivity, irritation, allergies and eye irritation.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated essences that can cause damage to and irritate the skin.
Fragrance (Synthetic Fragrances, Natural Fragrances & Undisclosed Fragrance)
Fragrance added to skincare and beauty products are known as the leading cause of allergic reactions, dermatitis and skin irritation. This ingredient wins the Allergen of the Year award each year, and it’s nothing to boast about.
GMO’s
GMO’s or Genetically Modified Organisms are natural organisms that have had their genes altered through genetic engineering. While not all GMO’s are bad for topical application, we believe that not enough research has been conducted into the use of GMO’s in beauty products yet, so to be on the safe side, we exclude GMO’s from our products.
Mineral Oils
Mineral oils main function is to lock in moisture, which for sensitive skin is usually great! However mineral oil is also comedogenic meaning that it clogs the pores. When it comes to locking in moisture there are much better alternatives, which we prefer to use. In addition to this when mineral oil is combined with paraffin (another ingredient we don’t use) it can actually damage the skin barrier and cause moisture loss.
Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl)
Parabens are an ingredient that a lot of people boycott without fully understanding what it is! Parabens are a type of preservative, which are used to prolong the shelf life of products. Some studies have shown that parabens are able to penetrate the skin and remain within your body’s tissue however claims that it causes cancer and causes hormone disruption have yet to be proven by scientists. We choose to steer clear of parabens mainly because there are much better natural preservatives on the market that ensure your product stays fresh.
Paraffin & Petrolatum
Paraffin and Petrolatum are both highly flammable ingredients. As they are flammable they actually cause many serious injuries each year from burns. On Top of this both of these guys are made from refined petrol, which we all know isn’t great for the environment either.
Silicones
Silicones are frequently added to beauty products to make them more spreadable and slippery. Silicone can also trap debris in pores, block other ingredients from absorbing into the skin and have no real benefit for your skin.
Sulfates (SLS/SLES)
Sulfates are cleansing agents used to create a lathering effect, they are commonly used in cleansers, shampoos and soaps. Sulfates trip the skin of it’s natural oils which causes drying of the skin, irritation and in the case of sensitive skin it commonly causes allergic reactions.
PEG’s (Polyethylene glycol)
PEG’s are petroleum based thickening agents added to skincare to change the texture of products. PEG’s can reduce the skin’s moisture levels and dehydrate the skin.
Phthalates (DBP, DEHB, DEP, DMP)
Phthalates are added to skincare to help it cling to the skin better and have a better sticking effect. Some research suggests that phthalates have been linked to endocrine disruption and other nasty side effects. Due to this we feel it’s safer to leave these guys out.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
Propylene Glycol is a penetration enhancing humectant, meaning that it helps other ingredients permeate the skin. Some research suggests that PG’s can have negative medical effects on users, and for this reason we feel it’s better to leave this one out of our products.
Triclosan and Triclocarban
Triclosan and Triclocarban are antibacterial and antifungal agents commonly added to beauty products. These ingredients irritate the skin and eyes and also have been proven to increase allergies.
The Rest of the List
1,4 Dioxane
Acacia Farnesiana Extract
Acetic Acid
Aluminum
Ambergris
Aminomethyl Propanol
Apricot Kernels
Balm Mint Extract
Balmu Peru
Bay Leaf Oil
Beeswax
Bellis Perennis
Bergamot Oil
Benzyl Salicylate
Benzalkonium Chloride
BHA/BHT
Biotin
Bitter Orange Flower
Black Locust Extract
Black Pepper Extract
Bloodwort
Bois de Rose Oil
Borate
Borax
Bronopol
Butylene Glycol
Butoxyethanol
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Cajeputi Oil
Camphor
Cananga Extract
Cananga Odorata
Capsaicin
Capsicum Extract
Capsicum Oleoresin
Cardamom
Carcone
Carmine
Cedarwood
Capre Lac (Goats Milk)
Cera Alba
Casein
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Chondroitin
Cinnamomum
Cinnamomum Camphora
Cinnamon
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Citronellol
Citrullus Colocynthis
Citrus Amara
Citrus Aurantifolia
Citrus Aurantifolia Extract
Citrus Medica Limonum
Clary Oil
Clove Oil
Clove Leaf
Clove Oil
Clover Blossom
Clover Leaf Oil
Coal Tar
Coleus Barbatus
Colloidal Silver
Comfrey Extract
Commiphora Myrrha Extract
Copaifera Officianalis
Cornmint
Cyclamen Aldehyde
Cymbopogon Citrates
Cymbopogon Martini
Daisy Flower Extract
Daucus Carota
DEA (diethanolamine)
Denatured Alcohol
Dimethyl Ether
DMDM Hydantoin
EDTA
Elecampane
English Ivy Extract
Equisetum Arvense
Esculin
Estrogen
Ethoxylated Ingredients
Ethyl Alcohol
Ethyl Hexanediol
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus Extract
Eugenia Armoatica
Eugenia Caryophyllus
Eugenol
Fennel Oil
Fennel Seed Extract
Ferula Galbaniflua
Fir Needle Oil
Floralozone
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasing Ingredients
Frankincense Extract
Galbanum
Gardenia Florida Extract
Geranium OIl
Geranium Pretense
Ginger Oil
Glucosamine
Grapefruit Oil
Grapefruit Peel
Grapefruit Extract
Guarana
Guanine
Hamamelis Virginiana
Hamamelitannin
Hayflower Extract
Hedera Helix
Hedione
Hexyl Cinnamal
Honey
Horsetail Extract
Hortonia Floribunda Leaf Extract
Hydnocarpus Anthelmintica
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Hydroquinone
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
Illicium Vernum
Inula Helenium
Iris Florentina Extract
Isopropyl Alcohol
Ivy Extract
Jasmine Oil
Jasminum Grandiflorum
Jonquil Extract
Juniper Berry
Juniperus Communis
Kathon CG
Kava-kava Extract
Kawa Extract
Keratin
Kigelia Africana Extract
Kola Nut
Lady Mantle Extract
Lactoferrin
Lactose
Lagerstroemia Indica Extract
Lanolin
Lanosterol Esters
Laurus Nobilis
Lavandin Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia
Lavandula Officianalis
Lavender Extract
Lead
Lemon Balm
Lemongrass Extract
Lemon Juice
Lemon Oil
Lentinus Edodes Extract
Levisticum Officinale Root Extract
Lime Extract
Limonene
Linalool
Litsea Cubeba
Lovage Root Extract
Lye
Malvaceae Extract
Mandarin Extract
Mandarin Oil
Manganese Gluconate
Marjoram
Melaleuca Cajeputi Oil
Melia Azadirachta Oil
Melissa Officinalis
Mentha Arvensis
Mentha Piperita
Mentha Spicata
Mentha Viridis
Menthol
Menthone
Menthoxypropanediol
Menthyl Lactate
MEO (monoethanolamine)
Mercury and Mercury Compounds
Methanol
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile
Methyl Dihydrojasmonate
Methyl Cellosolve
Methylisothiazolinone
Millet Seed Extract
Mimosa Oil
Mint
Mucor Miehei Extract
Mugwort Extract
Myrrh
Myrtle Extract
Myrtus Communis Extract
Narcissus Poeticus Wax
Nasturtium Officinale Extract
Neem Oil
Neroli
Neroili Oil
Nettle Extract
Nitrosamines
Non-vegan Elastin
Non-vegan Collagen
Non-vegan Hyaluronic Acid
Non-vegan Squalene
Non-vegan Glycerin
Non-vegan Stearic Acid
Non-vegan Retinol/retinoids
Oat Root Extract
Oleic Acid
Olibanum Extract
Orange Blossom
Orchid
Oregano
Origanum Majorana
Origanum Vulgare Flower Extract
Orris Root
PABA
Paeonia Albiflora Extract
Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract
Palmarosa Oil
Palm Oil
Pansy Extract
Panthenol
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid
Patchouli
Pearl Powder
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Pellitory
Pentadecalactone
Peppermint
Perfluorinated compounds (PFAS, PFOA, PTEE)
Perfume
Perilla Ocymoides
Photosensitizer
Pine Oil
Pinus Lambertiana Wood Extract
Piper Nigrum
Pogostemon Cablin
Propanol
Propolis
Pyrus Cydonia
Quercus
Quercus Infectoria Extract
Quince Seed
Resorcinol
Retinyl Palmitate
Robinia Pseudoacacia Extract
Rosa Damascena Oil
Rosa Gallica Flower Extract
Rose Flower Extract
Rosemary Oil
Rosewood Oil
Royal Jelly
Ruscus Aculeatus
Sage Extract
Salvia Officianalis
Sand
Sandalwood oil
Santalum Album Seed Extract
Saussurea Oil
Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Sclareolide
SD Alcohol 40-2
Sericin
Shellac
Silk Amino Acids
Silk Powder
Siloxanes
Snail Mucin
Soap
Sodium Borate
Sodium Olefin Sulfonate
Sodium Carbonate
Sodium Cocoate
Sodium Lauroyl Hydrolyzed Silk
Sodium Palm Kernelate
Spearmint Oil
Star Anise
Styrax Benzoin
Sulfur
Sugarcane Extract
Symphytum Officinale Extract
Szechuan Peppercorn
Talc
Tallow
Tangerine Extract
TEA (triethanolamine)
TEA-Lauryl Sulfate
Thiodipropionic Acid
Thyme Extract
Thyme Oil
Thymus Hydrolysate
Thymus Serpyllum Extract
Thymus Vulgaris Oil
Toluene
Tomato Extract
Tormentil Extract
Trigonella Foenum-graecum Seed Extract
UREA (imidazolidinyl)
Verbena Extract
Vetiver Oil
Vetiver Extract
Walnut Extract
Walnut Shell Pieces
Walnut Shell Powder
White Oak Bark Extract
Wild Ginger Extract
Wintergreen Oil
Witch Hazel
Yarrow Extract
Ylang Ylang
Yucca Extract
Zanthoxylum Piperitum
Zinc Carbonate
Zingiberaceae
Zingiber Zerumbet
