A Helpful Guide To Some Frequently-Asked-About Ingredients

We pledge to always provide you with our signature, exceptional quality Molton Brown experience, while being kinder to the environment. We want to be honest about what makes up our products, so here’s your guide to some frequently-asked-about ingredients we use and what ingredients we don’t use at all.

Sulphates

Sulphates are a group of cleansing agents that can dispel dirt and oily residue from skin and hair by working with water to create a foam, isolating and removing these dirt particles.

We use SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) in our products. It is a surfactant which creates lather and gives that ‘clean feel’, often confused with SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), which is known to cause irritation. SLES is a milder surfactant than SLS and is more suitable for beauty products as it’s kinder to skin.

Parabens

Parabens are a common type of antimicrobial preservative – they stop bacteria from infecting the product and lengthen its shelf life.

All our current and upcoming products are completely paraben free, and we use alternative preservatives that ensure our products are just as effective.

Silicones

Silicones are repeating combinations of silicon, present in rock, sand, clay, soil and oxygen. They act as conditioners and solvents, and can be used to protect skin. EU law restricts cyclic silicones D4, D5, D6; other linear silicones have not been found to present environmental concerns.

None of our products contain D4, D5, D6; however, some do contain linear silicon to help provide conditioning benefits to our products.

Paraffin

Paraffin, a petroleum by-product known as refined crude oil, is an oil widely used as moisturiser, thickener and for candle wax.

We use paraffin wax in candles and petrolatum in our Vitamin Lipsaver as it is needed to ensure a superior performance.

Aluminium

Many antiperspirants contain a synthetic group of aluminium salts. They’re used to reduce sweating by absorbing into the body and temporarily blocking sweat glands. By preventing perspiration, there is less opportunity for the growth of odour-causing bacteria which forms when sweat lingers on skin.

Our deodorants are free from aluminium, and our Deodorant Sticks are also free from alcohol, which makes them more suitable for sensitive skin.

They don’t prevent perspiration – instead, our deodorants impart long-lasting freshness and a sense of wellbeing while masking odours.

Microbeads

Microbeads are a type of microplastics; they are miniscule balls of plastic that were widely used in personal care products such as scrubs or toothpastes. EU law bans the sale of cosmetics that contain them.

Our existing and upcoming products are 100% microbead free. We only make products that contain biodegradable materials. Our cleansing and exfoliating products contain solid particles made from naturally derived ingredients such as sugar, ground olive stones and apricot seeds.

Glitter

Glitter particles are often used in personal care products to add sparkle. Many glitters contain PET or microplastics. These often end up in the ocean, damaging marine wildlife and polluting our seas with plastics that do not break down.

We use vegan, non-plastic glitter particles in some of our products to add an opulent shimmer. This glitter is made from natural minerals such as tin oxide, calcium sodium borosilicate and/or natural metals like gold, silver and copper.

Mica

Mica is the name given to a series of minerals based on silicates – substances made out of the elements silica and oxygen – that add sparkle to products. There are many types of mica found across many industries from car paints and inks, to edible glitters and cosmetics.

You may be aware of recent concerns in the media about whether naturally derived mica is ethically sourced. You’ll be relieved to know that we use responsibly sourced, naturally derived mica from Georgia, USA in our Labdanum Dusk Bath & Shower Gel to give it an iridescent, opulent finish.

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