LEMYKA Skincare is highly selective when it comes to ingredients. Our  skincare products are 100% toxin free. We avoid the use of the following chemicals (skin irritants) that are commonly found in personal and cosmetic products:

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• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - Studies have shown that SLS causes severe epidermal changes to the area of skin to which it was applied. Other studies found heavy deposition of the detergent on the skin surface and in the hair follicles; damage to the hair follicles could result from such deposition. Application of 1% to 5% of sodium lauryl sulfate may produce a significant number of comedones. Customers should be aware of the adverse effects associated with SLS including possible hair loss, comedone formation, and irritation.

 

• 1,4 Dioxane - Is a byproduct (or contaminant) of the ethoxylation process. The ethoxylation process is a route to some ingredients commonly used in cleansing and moisturizing products including many baby products! By going through this process, baby shampoos or wash that contain the cleansing agents such as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sufate become even more foamy and less abrasive. 1, 4-dioxane is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Exposure may cause damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys.The U.S. environmental Protection Agency classifies dioxane as a probable human carcinogen. Under Proposition 65, dioxane is classified in the U.S. state of California to cause cancer. Although the levels of dioxane found in the skincare products are low, the long term exposure to this compound is likely to post adverse health effects. This chemical isn't listed on product labels because it is not an added ingredient, but a contaminant or byproduct instead. However if you want to try to avoid 1,4-dioxane, you'll need to look very carefully at ingredient labels. Often times, 1,4 dioxane is presented in the synthetic ethoxylated ingredients, such as polyethylene, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyoxyethylene, those contain the word laureth, myreth, ceteareth, or oleth, or those end with -eth, or with -oxynol.

 

• Methylisothiazolinone (MI) - is a powerful preservative known to carry a high risk of irritating the skin and allergic sensitization. A recent study published in Contact Dermatitis Journal this year by Danish National Allergy Research Center clearly showed the contact allergy due to methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and MI has nearly doubled from 2010 to 2012. Another paper published in the same journal this year by researchers in Germany has demonstrated the female patients with face dermatitis due to MI has tripled in three years since 2009.

 

• Strong base (such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) - Strong bases are commonly used in personal and skin care products such as soap (saponification - strong base is mixed with fatty acids to produce soap), cleanser, creams and lotions as a pH adjuster. They are strong irritants that are corrosive to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.  Even at a low level, these strong bases may alter the pH significantly, causing skin irritation.

 

• Fragrance - There are more than 5000 different fragrances that are used today in cosmetics, personal care and household products. Fragrances can be an important and common cause of contact dermatitis. Itching rashes can appear on the neck where perfume was sprayed.  Certain chemicals in fragrance or perfume are endocrine disruptors. Studies have linked children ADHD occurrence tofragrance exposure of their mothers during pregnancy. Patch testing to fragrance mixture can help identify the cause and provide important information on avoidance.  Avoiding fragrances can be difficult, and use of products labeled“unscented” can be misleading, as a masking fragrance may be added. We recommend choosing products that are labeled “fragrance-free”.

 

• Dyes (artificial colors) - Many synthetic dyes can be potent sensitizers and cause allergic contact dermatitis. Due to their potential health concerns, color additives are subject to a strict system of approval under U.S. law (FD&C Act). For additional information, here is a link to an easy-to-use reference that introduces you to FDA-approved coloradditives and directs you to the regulations addressing specific coloradditives.

 

• Formaldehyde releasing preservatives - quaternium-15, dimethyl-dimethyl(DMDM) hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea,  diazolidinyl urea, and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol) are common formaldehyde releasing preservatives.  Formaldehyde and the formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are some of the most effective preservatives on the market. They are especially effective in preventing growth of bacteria. Formaldehyde is widespread in the environment as a chemical byproduct produced by incomplete combustion, and it is found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and incineration products. It has been found that close to 80% of formaldehyde exposure comes from commonly use cosmetics and skincare products. In 2011, the US National Toxicology Program described formaldehyde as "known to be a human carcinogen."

 

• Parabens - Particularly methyl paraben - Methyl paraben (MP) is often used as a preservative in foods, drugs, and cosmetics. A 2008 publication suggested that methyl paraben may cause skin damage involving carcinogenesis after exposure to sunlight. In individuals with normal skin, parabens are most likely to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. Parabens may cause skin irritation, possibly contact dermatitis and rosacea in individuals with paraben allergies. It also possess mild estrogen-like properties. No direct link between parabens and breast cancer has been demonstrated. However, larger studies are needed to confirm whether exposure to parabens will increase breast cancer risk. Although parabens remain as a popular choice for preserving topical products and are considered safe when used in low levels, at LeMya, we eliminate paraben use in any of our products. 

 

• Diethanolethylamine (DEA) and/or Triethanolamine (TEA) - DEA is used as a surfactant and a corrosion inhibitor. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) completed a study in 1998 that found an association between the topicalapplication of diethanolamine (DEA) and certain DEA-related ingredientsand cancer in laboratory animals. For the DEA-related ingredients, theNTP study suggests that the carcinogenic response is linked to possible residual levels of DEA. So far, a link betweenDEA and the risk of cancer in humans has not yet been found. Consumers who wish to avoid DEA containing products need to know that the follow compounds contain DEA: Cocamide DEA,  Cocamide MEA, DEA-Cetyl Phosphate, DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate, Lauramide DEA, Linoleamide MEA, Myristamide DEA, Oleamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate, and Triethanolamine.