April 22 is Earth Day… so we thought it the perfect time to discuss Neuma, one of the cleanest products in the beauty industry. Below is a list of items that YOU WILL NOT find in Neuma Formulas and why.
Neuma is on a mission to provide everyone with high-performance haircare without the need to sacrifice the health of their hair, body, or the planet. To accomplish such a goal, they have partnered with leading scientists who specialize in green science along with ingredient manufacturers and suppliers who are committed to making a difference.
In addition to being mindful of what they put IN their products they also took care to leave OUT many common ingredients. Below is what they have coined their “No-No List”
Synthetic Fragrance (Fragrance, Parfum): Fragrance is a key indicator of the presence of chemical substances, many of which are known to be toxic. Who needs that? Instead, Neuma use a blend of pure essential oils and extracts instead.
Propylene Glycol & Butylene Glycol*: This solvent penetrates the skin and can cause irritation. It’s also known to be an immune toxin. No, thank you! You WILL NOT find that in any Neuma Products.
Urea (Imidazolidinyl and Diazolidinyl) & DMDM Hydantoin: These are preservatives that often release formaldehyde, and that can lead to a whole load of not-so-fun side effects. See next…
Formaldehyde: This known carcinogen can cause adverse skin reactions, headaches, chronic fatigue and is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. NOPE!
1,4-Dioxane: This sneaky trace contaminant is a byproduct of harmful surfactants that mix together. It’s found in nearly 50% of cosmetics, but not at Neuma.
Lead Acetate: It’s a color additive that may cause human reproductive and developmental harm. It’s prohibited in the EU, so Neuma banned it from their formulas, too.
Polyquaternium 16: This ingredient is known for its volumizing and conditioning properties, but it can be potentially toxic to aquatic life. Save the fish!
Sulfate Surfactants (SLS, SLES, ALS, ALES): Don’t let these foaming agents fool you. They can strip your hair and scalp of essential oils, break down proteins, corrode the hair follicle, and fade your color.
Quaternium 6, 7, 15, 31 & 60: These cosmetic surfactants and preservatives are known to release formaldehyde, and that can lead to skin rashes and allergic reactions.
Phthalates: This group of chemicals used to volatilize fragrance are known to cause harm to the reproductive and endocrine systems.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT, MI): There’s evidence that this commonly used preservative in hair care can cause contact dermatitis, eczema and other skin conditions. No thank you!
Food, Drug & Cosmetics (FD&C) Color***: Neuma aims to avoid this because it’s known to be a carcinogen. Some artificial colorants may be derived from animals, and that goes against their cruelty-free standards.
Diethanolamine (DEA) & Monoethanolamine (MEA): These foaming agents may work up a lather, but they may also cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and dryness.
Glutens: There is no doubt about it, gluten is bad news for Celiac sufferers. That said, Hydrolyzed wheat protein which is used in many cosmetics, contains high amounts of gluten. This can cause contact dermatitis and other conditions even to those who don’t suffer from Celiac but may have gluten intolerances or sensitivities.
Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl & Ethyl Paraben): Studies suggest that these preservatives are hormone disruptors and associated with breast cancer.
Triethanolamine (TEA) Lauryl Sulfate & Triethanolamine (TEA) Laureth Sulfate: These are a few of the harshest surfactants that are potentially drying and irritating to the skin and scalp. So Neuma uses gentle alternatives. Phew!
Soy**: More than 90% of soy produced in the U.S. is genetically modified and the crops are sprayed with herbicides, so Neuma does everything they can to try and avoid it.