All of our formulas are free of all toxic and cancer causing skincare and beauty ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury, steroids, Alcohol, sulphate, silicone, parabens.

Frangrance, Oxybenzone  etc.

 

 

Found in: skin lighteners

 

The FDA warns that this skin-bleaching chemical can cause a skin disease called ochronosis, with “disfiguring and irreversible” blue-black lesions on exposed skin. Illegally imported skin lighteners can contain mercury, which can poison adults and children and is especially toxic during pregnancy. Be wary of imported skin lighteners, don’t buy products without ingredients clearly labeled, and always avoid products with “mercury,” “calomel”, “mercurio” or “mercurio chloride.”

 

 

Many dangerous skin lightening products are imported from countries where legal regulations are not thoroughly enforced. One of the most dangerous ingredients found in these products is mercury. Though use of mercury in skin care products is illegal in the United States, many skin lightening products still contain this extremely toxic ingredient. Mercury poisoning is known to cause neurological and kidney damage and may also lead to psychiatric disorders. The effects of mercury have been well documented in hundreds of studies on both rats and humans. Often permanent nerve and brain damage can also occur with long term exposure. For good reason, the FDA bans the use of mercury at even minute concentrations in all skin care products manufactured in the United States. However, it is nearly impossible to control all of the illegally imported products that come in to the country every year. 

 

 

Found in: sunscreen

 

Oxybenzone is one of the highest-risk chemicals found in sunscreen. It acts like estrogen in the body, alters sperm production in animals and is associated with endometriosis in women. Studies on cells and laboratory animals indicate that oxybenzone and its metabolites may disrupt the hormone system. Opt for sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium oxide or avobenzene instead.

 

 

Found in: moisturizers, deodorant, lotion, face cream, shampoo, conditioner

 

Federal law doesn’t require companies to list on product labels any of the chemicals in their fragrance mixture. Recent research from Environmental Working Group and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals in 17 name-brand fragrance products, none of them listed on the label. Fragrances can contain hormone disruptors and are among the top 5 allergens in the world. Our advice? Buy fragrance-free wherever possible.

 

 Steroids

 

Topical steroids are also found in various imported skin lightening products. Though topical steroids do have their use in prescription based ointments, they should not be used by individuals without the supervision of a medical professional. Improper use of steroid based products can lead to the thinning of treated skin, stretch marks, infection and other serious side effects.

"Although the full extent of the dangers of hydroquinone, the active ingredient in the skin bleaching creams are still unknown, U.S. studies have linked it with leukemia, liver damage, and thyroid disorders. Animal studies show that it could cause mutations in developing fetuses." 

 

          

Polyethylene/PEGs

 

Found in: scrubs, body wash, lotion, makeup, toothpaste

 

Those tiny plastic beads in the face or lip scrubs and exfoliating washes are made from polyethylene (used because they’re gentler on the skin than natural exfoliators like walnut shells). These synthetic chemicals are frequently contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which the U.S. government considers a probable human carcinogen and which readily penetrates the skin. Polyethylene has been noted as a skin irritant and should never be used on broken skin. Polyethylene beads in scrubs and body washes also are not filtered by our sewage systems, meaning they can collect pollutants and travel into waterways, where they’re consumed by fish and marine animals.

 

 

Found in: makeup, lotion, moisturizer, shaving gel, shampoo, personal lubricant and spray tan products

 

The FDA acknowledges several studies linking parabens, which mimic estrogen, to breast cancer, skin cancer and decreased sperm count, but has not ruled that it is harmful. According to the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, longer chain parabens like propyl and butylparaben and their branched counterparts, isopropyl and isobutylparabens, may disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive and developmental disorders. Look for ingredients with the suffix “-paraben” as well—paraben-free products will be labelled as such.

 

 

Found in: shampoo, body wash, lotion, foundation, face wash, mouthwash and toothpaste

 

SLS has been shown to cause or contribute to: skin irritation, canker sores, disruptions of skin’s natural oil balance and eye damage. It is also widely believed to be a major contributor to acne (especially cystic acne) around the mouth and chin.

 

 

As a pioneer and leader in the creation of safe and effective skin care products, we feel the need to make customers aware of the many low-grade and dangerous products currently on the market 

VAO Beauty puts your safety above anything else. Our products contain absolutely no hydroquinone, mercury, steroids or other undesirable bleaching substances.