The Faithful to Nature
Ingredient Policy

We believe that every being on this planet has the right to live in a clean, abundant and toxin-free environment. We believe too that you should have access to full and transparent information about every product that you wish to purchase, so that you are fully empowered in so far as possible to decide if it is good enough for you and your family.

We have chosen to source organic and natural products for you that are good for you and our Earth. This means we personally check the ingredient lists of every product sold to ensure that there are no harmful synthetic ingredients in them. We believe organic and natural should be good for you and we take this principle very seriously. We also provide full ingredient lists for every single product sold on our website, so that you can be sure of what you are buying.

If new scientific evidence raises legitimate questions about whether an ingredient is safe, we will do our best to find alternatives and, when necessary, we will remove it from our product range. When buying products on our online organic store, you can trust the following:

We strive to find the most eco-friendly product types on the market to make available for you to purchase.

 We will always endeavor to provide complete ingredient lists for every product sold on our website. We personally check the ingredients of every product sold to ensure that there are no known harmful synthetic ingredients in the product.

 We will not sell any products that we know or suspect have been tested on animals.

 We will not sell any products that we know or suspect contain any GMO's. 

With love,
Robyn and the Faithful to Nature Team

You will find these nasties in your home detergents (from your spot remover to carpet cleaner), your beauty products and your personal care products. Unfortunately, there has been no move to make manufacturers of cosmetic and cleaning products accountable for listing their ingredients, even though it is law that all personal care products in South Africa have a full list of ingredients.

Although the list of harmful ingredients that we do not support is ever-changing and very long, you can be sure that none of our products contain these more commonly found contentious ingredients:

Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl)

98% of cosmetic products contain parabens. Parabens are endocrine disrupters, meaning they may disturb the hormone balance in your body and cause allergic reactions. British researchers found traces of it in twenty women who had breast cancer. Parabens are believed to act like the female hormone oestrogen, and high levels of oestrogen can cause some women to develop breast cancer. “The industry response is that these chemicals have been cleared for use by the relevant authorities (FDA and ECC) and have been used for decades. The link between smoking and cancer took 50 years to gain public support. Health concerns raised by the Parabens will hopefully be recognised sooner.” (Taken from http://www.esse.co.za)

Propylene Glycol (PEG)

This is one of the most common ingredients in cosmetics and is highly controversial. Many say it is a harmful irritant known to cause damage to the kidneys, whilst a few believe it is safe. But consider this: the Material Safety Data Sheet for propylene glycol warns workers handling this chemical to avoid skin contact.

Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate

A known skin irritant which enhances allergic responses to other toxins and allergens. This chemical can react with other ingredients to form cancer-causing nitrosamines. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used as a lathering agent. It is present in 90% of commercial shampoos, as well as skin creams and some brands of toothpaste. It was found to be safe by the CIR expert panel in the 1980’s, but new information is being considered as to the safety of the ingredient.

Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA)

In 1999 a National Toxicology Program found an association between cancer and tumors in laboratory animals and the application of diethanolamine (DEA) and certain DEA-related ingredients to their skin. The FDA is still considering legal actions. As the study used a pure concentration of the ingredient, it has been debated as to whether there is any real cause for concern. The principal toxic effect of TEA has been linked to over-alkalinity in animals. It is an irritant. Both DEA and TEA are also known to combine with nitrates to form cancer-causing nitrosamines. If a product contains nitrites (used as a preservative or present as a contaminant not listed on labels), a chemical reaction can occur either during manufacturing or after a product is made. There is no way to know which products contain nitrosamines because Government does not require manufacturers to disclose this information on the label.

Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea

Preservatives release formaldehyde. It is estimated that 20% of people exposed to this chemical will experience an allergic reaction. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. In lab tests, formaldehyde has caused cancer and damaged DNA. Its use has been banned in cosmetics in Japan and Sweden.

PVP/VA Copolymer

A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, styling aids and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since inhaled particles can damage the lungs of sensitive persons. Padimate-O, also known as octyl dimethyl, PABA is found mainly in sunscreens. Like DEA, it is a nitrosamine-forming agent, and there is concern that the energy absorbed by this sunscreen is then turned into free radicals, which may actually increase the risk of skin cancer.

Synthetic Colours

Used to make cosmetics “pretty”, synthetic colours (along with synthetic hair dyes) should be avoided at all costs, as many synthetic colours can be carcinogenic. They are listed as FD&C or D&C, followed by a colour and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6, or D&C Green No. 6.

Synthetic Fragrances

Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply read “fragrance.” Some problems caused by these chemicals include headaches, dizziness, rash, hyper-pigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation - the list goes on. They can also trigger asthma.

Pthalates

Pthalates are used to keep fragrance chemicals in solution. They are found in almost all fragrances and manufacturers are allowed to list them under the name fragrance or parfum. Phthalates are used to enhance fragrances, as solvents, and to denature alcohol.

These chemicals have been shown to enter the bloodstream and concentrate in fat cells. They are extremely potent oestrogen mimics and some are 10 000 times more potent than oestrogen itself. Excessively high levels of oestrogen have been known to cause cancer.

DEP is the phthalate found in the highest levels in humans, and a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives (December 2002) found that DEP is damaging to the DNA of sperm in adult men at current levels of exposure. DNA damage to sperm can lead to infertility and may also be linked to miscarriages, birth defects, infertility and cancer in offspring. Recent product tests found the chemical in every fragrance tested in the United States.

Manufacturers are not required to list phthalates on product labels, so they are difficult to avoid, but phthalates have been banned by all the major organic certifiers in the world.

Talc

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral. Some reports show it to be carcinogenic when inhaled. In addition, women who regularly use talc in the genital area are at increased risk for ovarian cancer. Many pediatricians now tell parents to avoid using talc on babies as it can cause respiratory distress, sometimes resulting in death. Talc in liquid formulations poses minimal risk.

EDTA

Found in bleach and foaming agents in detergents. Can irritate skin and mucous membranes.

Petrolatum

Also known as mineral oil jelly, liquid Vaseline, Paraffinum Lquidum and baby oil. It is extremely cheap hence it’s widespread use. It can cause photosensitivity and strips natural oils from the skin, causing chapping, dryness and premature ageing. It also prevents the elimination of toxins from the body and can therefore cause acne.

Imidazolidinyl urea and DMDN hydantoin

These are formaldehyde-forming preservatives, and the second-most common preservatives (after parabens) to cause contact dermatitis. They can also cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, insomnia and asthma, a weakened immune system and even cancer.

Lead

Lead is a known carcinogen and hormone disruptor. It is readily absorbed through the skin, and accumulates in the bones. It causes neurological damage and behaviour abnormalities, and large accumulations can result in leg cramps, muscle weakness, numbness and depression. It can be found in some hair dyes.

Nonylphenols

This is an oestrogen-mimicking chemical and is used for its detergent properties. It can be found in some plastics, as well as shaving creams, shampoos and hair colours. It can be created when certain chemicals commonly found in personal care products break down. Nonylphenols can be a component in polyvinylchloride (PVC), a compound often found in acrylic nails. Nonylphenols are persistent in the environment and of such concern that many European countries are phasing them out. Some manufacturers have voluntarily discontinued their use.

Phenylenediamine

Used in permanent hair dyes, phenylenediamine can cause eczema, bronchial asthma, gastritis, skin irritation and even death. It is also a carcinogen. It can react with other chemicals to cause photosensitivity. The US Food and Drug Administration proposed legislation which would have required warning labels on products, advising that this ingredient can penetrate skin and has been determined to cause cancer in lab animals. If passed, beauty salons would have had to post warnings for their customers. Cosmetic industry lobbyists defeated the proposal.

To find more detailed information on our policies around genetically modified products, animal testing, our ingredients and organic certification, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Or if in doubt, please contact us and we will be happy to answer any queries or concerns that you may have.