When it comes to skincare, many products on the market contain harsh chemicals that can do more harm than good. Ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates are known to cause irritation and have even been linked to more serious health concerns. At Florida Man Soap, we believe in clean, safe formulations. Here’s a guide to the chemicals you should avoid and why our bars are the healthier, safer option.
1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
- What It Is: SLS is a detergent and surfactant that creates foam. While it’s common in many soaps and shampoos, it can strip the skin of natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and even eczema.
- Why Avoid: SLS is known to disrupt the skin barrier, making it harder for your skin to retain moisture.
- Our Solution: We formulate our soaps without SLS, so you get a gentle cleanse without sacrificing moisture.
2. Parabens
- What They Are: Parabens are synthetic preservatives (like methylparaben, propylparaben) used to extend shelf life.
- Why Avoid: Parabens have been found to mimic estrogen in the body, which may disrupt hormone function and has been linked to certain cancers.
- Our Solution: Florida Man Soap bars are free from parabens, ensuring that your skincare routine is safe and non-toxic.
3. Phthalates
- What They Are: Phthalates are used to make fragrances last longer and are found in many personal care products.
- Why Avoid: Phthalates are linked to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and developmental concerns. They can easily be absorbed through the skin.
- Our Solution: Our soaps are free from phthalates and use clean, natural fragrance oils that are gentle on the skin.
4. Triclosan
- What It Is: Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used in soaps and body washes.
- Why Avoid: Triclosan has been banned in many countries due to its contribution to antibiotic resistance and its potential to disrupt the endocrine system.
- Our Solution: We avoid harmful chemicals like triclosan in our soaps, focusing instead on natural ingredients that cleanse effectively.
What to Look For in Clean Skincare
- Natural Oils and Butters: Ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, and coconut oil nourish and protect the skin.
- Fragrance-Free, CLEAN Fragrance, Essential Oil's or Natural Scents: Choose products with no fragrances/added scent or those that use Clean Fragrance Oil's, Natural Fragrance Oils or Essential Oils. Avoid typical synthetic fragrances and usually companies that do not specify either on the ingredients or on their website are probably using typical fragrances with potential harmful chemicals in them. Companies will typically provide statements like we do, making it clear whether they use harsh fragrance oils or higher standard fragrances (CLEAN Fragrance Oil or Natural/Essential), which do not contain phthalates.
- Non-Toxic Preservatives: Look for clean preservatives like tocopherol (vitamin E) that naturally extend the shelf life of products. We use NATURAL mixed T50 Tocopherol. There are synthetic versions but we use top shelf T50 in our formula.