Let’s take a look at what we leave out, yet many leading brands leave in.
We do not use Benzalkonium Chloride in our products due to its potential to cause irritation and sensitisation. Commonly used as a preservative and surfactant, Benzalkonium Chloride has been linked to skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as allergic reactions in some individuals. It may be particularly problematic for people with asthma, eczema, or sensitive skin conditions. At Bio-D, we formulate our products with health, safety, and wellbeing in mind. That’s why we choose gentler, more skin-friendly alternatives that are better suited to sensitive skin and everyday use.
Added to soaps to make them softer and easier to machine mould.
These are contained in conventional toilet cleaners, sanitisers, nappy powders, washing powders and dishwasher detergents. During the breakdown of these types of bleach, carcinogenic toxic substances are formed which are similar to the banned pesticide d.d.t. DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane).
We never use dyes or colourants in our products. We believe effective cleaning and personal care products don’t need unnecessary colouring agents that serve no cleaning function — just carefully selected ingredients that work well and are kinder to people and the planet.
Some synthetic dyes may also break down into carcinogenic compounds, raising concerns about cancer and other chronic diseases. In addition, certain dyes do not biodegrade easily and can contaminate waterways, affecting aquatic life and potentially entering the food chain.
This is sometimes used as a substitute for, but also in addition to, phosphates. It is a sequestering agent that attracts heavy metals such as lead and mercury, both of which have known carcinogenic properties. These heavy metals can eventually find their way back into water supplies and are extremely difficult to remove completely.
Traditionally used to preserve corpses, formaldehyde is used to prolong the life of many conventional products!
Glycerin will often be made unnecessarily from animal fats. We only use vegetable based glycerin in our products.
Genetically or synthetically modified organisms are now being added to cleaning products, which replaces the requirement for the use of palm oil. There have been no independent safety tests to prove that these methods are safe on humans.
Common examples are Benzisothiazolinone (BIT), Methylisothiazolinone (MI or MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Often used in everyday household items from cleaning products to shampoos and shower gels known to trigger allergic reactions. Dermatologists warn people are being exposed to much higher doses than before, leading to a steep rise in allergies known as contact dermatitis where the skin becomes red and itchy and can sting and blister.
The wax secreted in wool-bearing animals. Lanolin for cleaning products is often sourced from the cheapest grade sheep stock, often in less health than food grade or medical grade stock. Products containing lanolin are not suitable for vegans or those who have animal welfare high on their agenda.
Used in laundry products to give an illusion of “whiteness”, they attach themselves to fabric to reflect “white light”. Clothes only appear cleaner. Optical brighteners are extremely difficult to biodegrade and can cause severe skin irritation. They can also cause mutations to microorganisms in receiving waters.
We do not use phenoxyethanol in our products. This is a synthetic preservative commonly used in cosmetics and cleaning products, known to cause sensitivity reactions in some people particularly those with eczema or sensitive skin. There are also concerns around its use in products for babies and young children. Phenoxyethanol is not readily biodegradable and may be harmful to aquatic life.
Used as water softeners and to improve cleaning, they can stimulate excessive growth of algae in the receiving waters. These algae often grow in such great numbers that the water becomes starved of oxygen, killing fish and plant life. This condition is known as eutrophication and exists in Lake Erie, North America. Lake Erie is practically devoid of all marine life.
Commonly used to stabilise synthetic fragrances.
A polyether compound derived from valuable fossil fuel. PEG is often found in cosmetics products and detergents, however it is known to cause sudden anaphylaxis and can also be responsible for hives, angioedema, breathing difficulties and other reactions.
Made from water, caustic soda and the rendered fat from dead animals.
Make finished products more visually appealing.
An animal triglyceride derived from beef fat. Tallow required for cleaning products is usually sourced from intensively farmed animals as it is the cheapest source. Products containing tallow are not suitable for vegans or those who have animal welfare high on their agenda.
A colouring agent that enhances the opacity of products to make them look uniformly clearer. Causes pollution in water courses.
Is a high production volume ingredient used as an antibacterial, often found in antibacterial liquid hand soaps. Triclosan was first registered as a pesticide and is known to be hazardous to humans including liver and inhalation toxicity, interferes with muscle function and may also alter hormone regulation.
Yes, in some products you will find animal urea (derived from urine). It breaks down chemical bonds in proteins and is cheap and plentiful in supply.
