As one of the earliest non toxic skincare brands, Pevonia’s clean beauty commitment has always been to refrain from harmful skincare and haircare ingredients, utilising environmentally sound practices throughout our formulation process. In line with our brand’s natural position, all our products are Paraben-free, Sulfate-free, Alcohol-free, Artificial Colour-free, and Mineral Oil-free, with Cruelty-Free sourcing.
To help you steer clear of potentially irritating, harmful substances in skincare and choose healthier natural beauty products, allow us to explain why we prioritise these personal care standards, and hope you will, too!
Put Down the Parabens: Why Choose Paraben-Free
Parabens are widely used preservatives in mainstream personal care products. Most contain inexpensive, synthetically sourced versions listed as Ethylparaben, Benzyl-paraben, and Isobutylparaben, with Butyl-paraben, Propylparaben, and Methylparaben being most concerning.
Although they stop mould, fungus, bacteria, and other microbes from growing to protect product integrity, they do so controversially. Many sources agree they may cause toxicity, resulting in skin irritation, allergic reactions, rashes, dermatitis, and rosacea.
Parabens are deemed endocrine disruptors, as the skin, blood, and digestive systems absorb them, affecting the body’s hormones and triggering allergies, early puberty in girls, and reproductive abnormalities in boys. Due to their ability to mimic the effects of oestrogen in the body, they have also been linked with breast and other cancers.
Methylparaben was found to increase UV damage and disrupt cell growth rate. At the same time, Propyl and Butyl Parabens may reduce sperm production and testosterone levels, altering reproductive organ development during gestation. Isobutylparaben is reported to produce anxiety and behavioural changes in offspring. Moreover, Parabens and some other preservatives are believed to release small amounts of Formaldehyde, reaching a threshold level over many years, leading to potential long-term health problems.
Advocates assert that suspicions about Parabens are unsubstantiated, that they are non-irritating and non-sensitising, citing studies indicating small amounts are practically harmless, non-toxic, rapidly metabolised, and excreted. While very small amounts may not be problematic, it is the amount of exposure that is particularly linked with concern. With the average woman using twelve personal care products per day, this multiplied exposure necessitates elimination or, at minimum, limits of Paraben concentration in individual products.
When natural ingredients and systems that can preserve and extend the shelf-life of a product without any health concerns or controversy exist, we don’t think it is worth the risk. While cleansers, shampoos, and conditioners are quickly washed off, serums and moisturisers stay on the skin longer, increasing the chance of migration into the bloodstream. So, choose a Paraben free lotion for the face and body and select a Paraben free face wash, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner for head-to-toe peace of mind.
Pevonia combines gentle and effective preservatives from Sugar, Berries, and Coconuts with filtered, sterilised, and deionised pharmaceutical-grade water and green manufacturing technologies. These measures ensure a three-year shelf-life for unopened products and one year after opening without risk of contamination by bacteria, mould, or fungus.
With these healthier options, health supporters advise replacing Parabens with safe alternatives. Although some may be more expensive, personal health is worth it! Ask yourself, “Is beauty worth the risk?”
Skip Sulfates: Why Choose Sulfate-Free
Be selective about what you put on your skin, body, and scalp for optimal skin health. Begin by choosing products without drying Sulfates that top the harmful skincare ingredients list.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are harsh detergents that break down proteins in the skin and dissolve healthy protective oils, leading to surface dehydration, irritation, and premature signs of ageing. They rob skin of vital moisture, damage the protective barrier, and increase water loss.
As Sulfates are typically foaming agents, watch out for them in cleansers, body washes, and shampoos. Or choose Pevonia products, as all of our formulas are Sulfate-Free, featuring skin-friendly cleansing agents that respect the skin’s protective moisture barrier, preserving natural oils.
- Wash your face with our Sulfate-Free face cleansers to keep your complexion clear and healthy.
- Love to double cleanse? Power up your cleansing with the CleanRefresh™ Foaming Oil Cleanser to effectively remove layers of sunscreen, oil, and debris while safeguarding the hydrolipidic film.
- Care for your family with the Pevonia Phyto-Gel Cleanser, a non-drying gel foaming cleanser suitable for all ages, providing just enough foam to remove dirt, excess oil, and make-up without drying tender cheeks.
- Bathe with our Anti-Stress Bath and Shower Gel, a Sulfate-free body wash that keeps your body as clean and healthy as your face!
Pro Tip: Keep a Sulfate-free cleanser by your sink to care for your hands when you wash.
- For hair care, skip oil-based cleansing conditioners that leave hair oily and weighed down. Stick to Pevonia’s Sulfate-Free shampoo to eliminate oil, dead skin cells, and product buildup for all hair types and thinning hair concerns.
Abstain From Alcohol: Why Choose Alcohol-Free
As Alcohol can impart a weightless, quick-drying finish, help ingredients penetrate, kill bacteria, and remove surface oils, it occurs in many types of beauty products. However, these benefits don’t outweigh the risks.
Alcohol irritates, dehydrates, damages skin cells, and strips away protective oils, compromising the protective skin barrier. It inhibits the skin’s ability to reduce inflammation and fight free radicals, leaving it vulnerable to sun damage, slower healing, faster ageing, sensitivity, and oiliness. Several forms are believed to cause skin toxicity and irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.
“Alcohol-Free” typically refers to the avoidance of Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol or grain Alcohol), Isopropyl Alcohol, SD Alcohol, Denatured Alcohol, and Methanol - chemicals unsuitable for any skin type or concern.
Support healthy skin by avoiding toxic skincare ingredients like Alcohol from the beginning of your regime. To be an Alcohol teetotaller, you’ll want to read all your labels to rule it out. At a minimum, follow cleansing (using an Alcohol-Free Cleanser) with an Alcohol-Free toner to amplify the results from your regime - leaving your skin feeling fresh, never tight.
Each Alcohol-free Pevonia toner completes the cleanse and removes all traces of make-up, irritating tap water, and geo-aggressors, encouraging the next steps in your routine to work better. Our formulas contain moisturising ingredients and care for specific skin concerns, helping skin stay healthy despite changes in humidity or low water intake days.
Pro Tip: Spritz an Alcohol-Free face mist, like the Hyaluronic Acid HydraMist™, over your face and neck throughout the day for a moisturising refresh.
Avoid Artificial Colours: Why Go Artificial-Dye-Free
Studies indicate that Artificial Colours can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, dermatitis, rashes, and hyperpigmentation, with some sources indicating they can lead to hyperactivity and asthma.
Although some dyes may come from safe, natural sources, many widely-used Artificial Dyes (FD&C and D&C colours) derived from Petroleum, Acetone, and Coal Tar are known allergens and carcinogens containing impurities linked with reproductive harm, organ and endocrine disruption, cancer, and neurotoxicity.
Artificial Colours in cosmetics may contain heavy metals, including Cobalt, Chromium, Lead, and Nickel. As Lead may damage children's developing brains, and Cobalt, Chromium, and Nickel may lead to lifelong skin issues, with your health our top priority, Pevonia eschews Artificial Coluors in all our clean skincare, body care, and hair care formulas.
To play it safe, avoid products with labels containing words like colorant, lake, D&C, FD&C, Carbon Black, Cadmium compounds, Mica, Aluminum, Carmine, Barium Sulfate, and Bismuth Oxychloride., which have been linked to cancer, organ damage, toxicity, and asthma.
Ditch Mineral Oil: Why Go Mineral Oil-free
Mineral Oil is used in multiple face and body products, including cleansers, lotions, creams, sunscreens, cosmetics, and ointments, yet it is decidedly controversial. Cited as natural by some sources and synthetic by others, this fossil fuel-derived fat appears as Paraffin, Liquid Paraffin, Paraffin Oil, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum Liquid, Petroleum Oil, and White Mineral Oil.
Proponents believe that purified cosmetic and pharmaceutical-grade forms are harmless and beneficial, having a low risk for allergic reactions or clogged pores. Due to the thin, oily layer it creates by trapping and sealing in moisture, it is promoted as a moisturiser for dry skin conditions, making Petroleum the star in the recent “slugging” trend. Some sources also claim it inhibits inflammation and may have cancer and bacteria-fighting abilities.
However, many other sources deem Mineral Oil harmful to the skin and body. Due to its large molecular size, the skin cannot readily absorb it, causing it to sit on top of the skin, clogging pores and contributing to breakouts. This occlusive effect may initially diminish the appearance of lines, but over time, skin loses the ability to protect itself and becomes dependent. It prohibits efficient oxygenation, detoxification, and immune barrier functioning.
Further claims indicate that it hinders the absorption of Collagen, Essential Fatty Acids, Vitamins, and Minerals. This malabsorption leads to slower cell renewal and breakdown of collagen and connective tissues, causing dryness, dehydration, thinning, and premature ageing. Untreated or mildly treated grades have been found to contain carcinogenic compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and impurities.
With healthier renewable emollients and lipids, there is no contest. Check out Pevonia moisturisers with nourishing Squalane, Safflower oil, and Shea Butter, which are more compatible with the human body and align with environmentally-conscious, clean beauty principles.
Arrest Animal Testing: Why Choose Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free formulations refrain from animal testing, reflecting a commitment to humane practices and respect for animal rights. Unfortunately, animal testing is commonplace in some countries, even among well-recognised beauty brands in the United States.
We understand that some companies perform animal testing to ensure product safety. However, we prefer our subjects to be willing human volunteers, which drives relevant results for optimal product efficacy—without compromise.
If you are an animal lover, this ethical, Cruelty-free practice of protecting sentient beings from various types of testing doesn’t need explaining. Why we would want animals to suffer so we can have better-looking skin and hair has never made sense to us. With a promise to support the planet and all its inhabitants, Pevonia has been a Cruelty-free brand for over three decades, excluding ingredients subjected to animal testing and providing effective, clean skincare, body care, and hair care formulas.
If you’ve been searching for products to help with skin challenges, hair thinning, and other concerns, we encourage you to try our conscious, science-backed products! Our entire range contains only the safest and most proven effective ingredients and practices to help combat today’s top beauty concerns.
