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ICON DECODER

COMPANY RATINGS
Praises, no criticism
Some praise, no criticism
No rating
Praises, some criticism
Criticism, some praise
Criticisms

Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
> more about ratings

OTHER ICONS
Australian Owned
Outstanding Product Feature
Industry Alert

Issues

What do you value?
> Animal testing
> Conflict minerals
> Factory farming
> Food miles
> Genetic engineering
> Labour exploitation
> Nanotechnology
> Overfishing
> Packaging & waste
> Palm oil
> See all
 

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Skin Care

The Guide > Personal Care > Beauty > Skin Care 

    Industry Alert: Animal testing, nanotechnology

Animal Testing

Animal testing rests on a logical contradiction. It is 'because animals are like us' that experiments are useful, yet it is 'because animals are not like us' that makes it morally okay to experiment on animals.' Prof. Charles R. Magel.

In March 2009, Europe introduced a ban on animal testing of cosmetics, prohibiting the testing of cosmetics on animals in cases where non-animal alternatives are available, and the sale of animal tested cosmetics no matter where they are produced.
  • Have your say in the Australian campaign to ban animal testing of cosmetics, and find non-tested products.  [Choose Cruelty Free]
  • Search PETA's database of companies that do and that don't test their products on animals.  [PETA]

Nanotechnology

Studies suggest nanotechnology ingredients in cosmetics pose serious health risks to the women wearing them. Nanoparticles are incredibly small ' measured in nanometres (nm), or one-billionth of a meter. They are found in cosmetics, moisturisers, and some sunscreens, and are used to increase products' penetration into the skin. Concerns have been raised that if nanoparticles are absorbed into living skin cells, they could increase the risk of skin cancer. Testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth, found nanoparticles in foundations and concealers sold by 10 top name brands ' including Christian Dior, Revlon, and Yves Saint Laurent. Only one of these, Christian Dior, labelled its use of nano ingredients. Companies are not legally required to test the safety of nanoparticles before using them in products, or to label their products as containing nano ingredients.
  • Learn more about the use of nanoparticles in comsumer products at Friends of the Earth's Emerging Tech Project.  [FOE]
  • Use the Nanotechnology Products Database to find out which products contain nanoparticles  [Nanotechnology Products Database]

Chemicals in Cosmetics

In Australia, cosmetics must comply with safety standards, but there is no international consensus. Some chemicals banned in Europe and the US are still considered safe by Australian authorities. These include DBP in nail polish, BHA in lipsticks, lead acetate in hair colour, and coal tar in anti-dandruff shampoos.

Other chemicals, although safe in small amounts, do build up over time and this intensive long-term exposure does seem to present unnecessary health risks. These include mineral oil, DEA/TEA/MEA, D&C colours, aluminium, talc, and synthetic fragrances.
  • Avoid known toxins. Decode the chemical nasties with the Chemical Maze app and book.  [The Chemical Maze]
  • Check out the Skin Deep cosmetics database with over 88,000 different products and a safety assessment of ingredients (US).  [Skin Deep]

Palm Oil

Palm oil is found in roughly 50 per cent of all packaged products on supermarket shelves including shampoos, baking oil, chocolate, cosmetics, chips, cookies, margarine and soaps.

Unfortunately, not only does palm oil promote heart disease, but the vast plantations that grow oil palm trees have contributed to the destruction of the rainforest of South East Asia and threaten the survival of animals such as the Orangutan in Borneo, the Sumatran tiger, and Asian rhinoceros. Additionally, burning after deforestation accounts for significant greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, it has recently been deemed a potential saviour as a renewable resource for use as a biofuel.
  • Palm oil may be in a product but labelled simply as 'vegetable oil'. An indicator however is if the nutritional panel lists saturated fat and it's higher than 50%, and yet there no animal fat listed as an ingredient, there is likely to be palm kernel oil, palm oil or coconut oil, as a component of 'vegetable oil' (most likely to be palm). See the various names for palm oil  [Palm Oil Investigations]
  • For a list of branded products that do not contain palm oil, see the 'Helping you buy responsibly' section on the Borneo Orangutan Survival website.  [Borneo Orangutan Survival]
  • Check out the Issues section of our website for more about palm oil  [ethical.org.au/issues]

Microplastics

Microplastics (often labelled as 'polyethylene' on product labels) are used in some personal care products such as facial scrubs, cleansers and toothpaste. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean. While microplastics aren't thought to be a health hazard to consumers, they are a threat to the marine environment.

As microplastics (plastic pieces of less than one millimetre diameter) are indistinguishable from plankton, the potential for ingestion by tiny crustaceans is wide. If these creatures ingest them and are eaten by other larger creatures and so on, microplastics can travel up the food chain. And because polyethylene is well known for absorbing toxins, these toxins could also end up in the seafood we eat like shellfish, white fish and tuna.

The three main sources of microplastic in marine environments are:
1) consumer products such as cosmetics,
2) breakdown of larger plastic material, and
3) the shedding of synthetic fibres from textiles by domestic clothes washing.

To reduce the amount of microplastic getting into our waterways:
  • Avoid personal care products containing polyethylene  [Beat the Microbead]
  • Avoid clothing made from synthetic fibres
  • Keep plastics, such as plastic bags and bottles, out of waterways

Alternatives beyond the mainstream

Argan Life  [more info]
Features: Organic, ethically sourced
Argan Life Australia supplies Moroccan Argan Oil that is organically certified and ethically sourced from an all-female co-operative in Morocco. Australian owned company.
Manufacturer: Argan Life Australia
Clean Slate  [more info]
Features: Vegan, cruelty-free, Australian owned and made
Clean Slate are an artisan skin care company based in Perth, WA. They have a focus on organic and local (Australian) ingredients where possible, and are accredited by Choose Cruelty Free.
Manufacturer: Clean Slate
Ethique  [more info]
Features: B Corporation, plastic free, vegan, cruelty free, palm oil free
Ethique is an ethical beauty business from New Zealand. They produce beauty products in concentrated bar form, rather than as a liquid in a plastic bottle.
Manufacturer: Ethique
Happy Skincare  [more info]
Features: Australian owned and made, cruelty free, vegan, non-toxic
Happy Skincare is Australian owned and made, toxin-free and certified vegan and cruelty free by Choose Cruelty Free. Family-owned company based in Newcastle, NSW. Products available in health food stores around Australia.
Manufacturer: Happy Skincare
Tri Nature  [more info]
Features: 100% Australian owned & made, cruelty free, plant-based, non-toxic
Founded in 1989, Tri Nature's award winning range of eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products are Australian-owned and made, plant-based, accredited cruelty free, grey water safe and free of nasty chemicals.
Manufacturer: Tri Nature
About these listings
Find farmers' markets, food coops, farm gate products at Local Harvest
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
Go-To  Go-To Skincare   (BWX) Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Miessense  Miessence   Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Mukti  Mukti   Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Perfect Potion most products certified organic most products certified organic Perfect Potion   Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Sukin  Sukin   (BWX) Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Thankyou 100% of profits fund health and hygiene projects 100% of profits fund health and hygiene projects Thankyou Group   (Thankyou Charitable Trust) Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Ultraceuticals  Ultraceuticals   Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
Evodia  Vitality Brands   Australian Owned  Praises, no criticism1
ecostore  Ecostore   NZL  Praises, no criticism1
Abundant Natural Health  Abundant Natural Health   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Botani  Botani   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Andalou Naturals  BWX   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Australian Creams  G&M Cosmetics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
InEssence  Heritage Brands   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Innoxa  Innoxa   (Heritage Brands) Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Hamilton  Key Pharmaceuticals   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Kora Organics  KORA Organics by Miranda Kerr   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Kosmea  Kosmea   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
MCoBeauty  ModelCo   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
ModelCo  ModelCo   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Natio  Natio   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Natralus  Natralus Australia   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Australian Pure  Natures Organics   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Nude by Nature  Nude by Nature   (Crescent Capital) Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Biologika some products certified organic some products certified organic Organic Formulations   (Martin & Pleasance) Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
People for Plants certified organic certified organic People for Plants   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Simplicite  Simplicite   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Zk'in  Zk'in   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Formula 10.0.6  Aspire Brands   USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Glow Lab  Earthwise   NZL  Some praise, no criticism2
Freeman  Freeman Beauty   (Yellow Wood Partners)
Distributor: Lenan  
USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Fruit of the Earth  Fruit of the Earth   USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Lush  Lush Australasia   (Lush) UK  Some praise, no criticism2
7th Heaven  Montagne Jeunesse   UK  Some praise, no criticism2
Montagne Jeunesse  Montagne Jeunesse   UK  Some praise, no criticism2
Palmers  Palmer's Australia   (ET Browne) USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Weleda  Weleda Australia   (Weleda) SWI  Some praise, no criticism2
Yes To  Yes To   USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Youngblood  Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics   USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Skin Physics  Biophysics   Australian Owned  No rating3
Enya  Enya Skin Care   Australian Owned  No rating3
Gaia  Gaia Skin Naturals   (Nice Pak Products) Australian Owned  No rating3
Dermal Therapy  LaCorium Health   Australian Owned  No rating3
Natralia  LaCorium Health   Australian Owned  No rating3
Lucas' Papaw Ointment  Lucas' Papaw Remedies   Australian Owned  No rating3
Akin  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Dr Lewinn's  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Kotia  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Smartskin  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Sugar Baby  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Swisspers  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Milk  Milk & Co   Australian Owned  No rating3
MooGoo  MooGoo   Australian Owned  No rating3
DU'IT  Orbis Australasia   Australian Owned  No rating3
Organic Essence  Orbis Australasia   Australian Owned  No rating3
Nutri Synergy  Plunkett Pharmaceuticals   Australian Owned  No rating3
Antipodes  Antipodes NZ   NZL  No rating3
Crabtree & Evelyn  Crabtree & Evelyn   (Nan Hai) CHN  No rating3
Ella Bache  Ella Bache   (Thalgo) FRA  No rating3
Essano  Essano   NZL  No rating3
Benzac AC  Galderma Australia   (Galderma) SWI  No rating3
Cetaphil  Galderma Australia   (Galderma) SWI  No rating3
MOR  MOR Boutique   (Uniasia Cosmetics) CHN  No rating3
Nuxe  Nuxe   FRA  No rating3
Proactiv  Proactiv Company   (Galderma) SWI  No rating3
Bio-oil  Union Swiss  
Distributor: Aspen Australia  
ZAF  No rating3
Ego  Ego Pharmaceuticals   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
QV  Ego Pharmaceuticals   Australian Owned  Praises, some criticism4
Aesop  Aesop   (Natura & Co) BRA  Praises, some criticism4
Lacura  Aldi Australia   (Aldi South) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Apivita  Apivita   (Puig) ESP  Praises, some criticism4
Aveda  Aveda Australia   (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
La Prairie  Beiersdorf Australia   (maxingvest) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Nivea  Beiersdorf Australia   (maxingvest) GER  Praises, some criticism4
Burt's Bees  Burt's Bees   (Clorox) USA  Praises, some criticism4
The Ordinary  Deciem   (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Dermalogica  Dermalogica    (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Clinique  Estee Lauder Australia    (Estee Lauder) USA  Praises, some criticism4
Biore  Kao Australia   (Kao Corporation) JPN  Praises, some criticism4
Jergens  Kao Australia   (Kao Corporation) JPN  Praises, some criticism4
Molton Brown  Kao Australia   (Kao Corporation) JPN  Praises, some criticism4
Swisse  Swisse   (H&H Group) HKG  Praises, some criticism4
Body Shop  The Body Shop   (Natura & Co) BRA  Praises, some criticism4
Dove  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Ponds  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Simple  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
St Ives  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Tatcha  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Vaseline  Unilever Australia   (Unilever) UK  Praises, some criticism4
Skinvitals  Beauty Direct   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Dermaveen  iNova   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Skin Basics  iNova   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Invite  PharmaCare   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Redwin  PharmaCare   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Rosken  PharmaCare   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Skin Doctors  PharmaCare   Australian Owned  Criticism, some praise5
Clarins  Clarins Australia   (Famille C) FRA  Criticism, some praise5
Grown Alchemist  Grown Alchemist   (L'Occitane) LUX  Criticism, some praise5
Thursday Plantation  Integria Healthcare   (Todd Corporation) NZL  Criticism, some praise5
Jurlique  Jurlique   (Pola Orbis) JPN  Criticism, some praise5
Alpha Keri  Mentholatum Australasia   (Rohto Pharmaceutical) JPN  Criticism, some praise5
Natural Instinct  Mentholatum Australasia   (Rohto Pharmaceutical) JPN  Criticism, some praise5
Oxy  Mentholatum Australasia   (Rohto Pharmaceutical) JPN  Criticism, some praise5
Peter Thomas Roth  Peter Thomas Roth Labs   USA  Criticism, some praise5
Avene  Pierre Fabre   FRA  Criticism, some praise5
Clearasil  Reckitt Australia   (Reckitt) UK  Criticism, some praise5
KOi  Coles Supermarkets   (Coles Group) Australian Owned  Criticisms6
Avon  Avon Australia   (Natura & Co) BRA  Criticisms6
Elizabeth Arden  Elizabeth Arden Australia   (MacAndrews & Forbes) USA  Criticisms6
Prevage  Elizabeth Arden Australia   (MacAndrews & Forbes) USA  Criticisms6
Aveeno  Johnson & Johnson Pacific   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6
Clean & Clear  Johnson & Johnson Pacific   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6
Johnson's  Johnson & Johnson Pacific   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6
Neutrogena  Johnson & Johnson Pacific   (Johnson & Johnson) USA  Criticisms6
Elemis  L'Occitane Australia   (L'Occitane) LUX  Criticisms6
L'Occitane  L'Occitane Australia   (L'Occitane) LUX  Criticisms6
Biotherm  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
CeraVe  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Garnier  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Kiehl's  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
L'Oreal  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
SkinCeuticals  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Thayers  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
Nature's Care  Nature's Care   (Government of China) CHN  Criticisms6
Olay  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
SK-II  Procter & Gamble Australia   (Procter & Gamble) USA  Criticisms6
Trilogy  Trilogy Natural Products   (Government of China) CHN  Criticisms6
Dermeze  Viatris Australia   (Viatris) USA  Criticisms6



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