At Plaine Products we believe in being transparent. We get a lot of questions about whether or not our products are truly chemical free. We wanted to share more details about the ingredients in our environmentally friendly products and provide answers to a few questions that keep popping up.

Aloe is our main ingredient

The main ingredient in our sustainable shampoo, conditioner and body wash is aloe. If you check the back of most mainstream shampoos their first ingredient is water. By using aloe we get the benefits of its antioxidants like beta carotene, Vitamin C and E. Aloe also contains more than 75 nutrients, minerals and essential amino acids that improve the health of your hair, scalp and skin. It makes a great base for all of our personal care products. Read more details on our ethical ingredients here.

Chemical free products

Parabens are another ingredient in many mainstream products that are a cause for concern. They have been found in low concentrations in tumors and are believed to disrupt hormone function. According to the Environmental Working Group, increasing evidence has drawn attention to their possible health risks from parabens, primarily their potential to disrupt the endocrine system, which can interfere with the normal functioning of hormones. Companies continue to use parabens as preservatives for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. There are other options for natural ingredients that do the same things.

At Plaine Products we use potassium sorbate and geoguard ultra instead. They are safe and non-toxic and their anti-microbial properties stop the growth and spread of harmful bacteria and molds in foods and products. They also allow our formula to be biodegradable, so nothing leaving your shower will cause problems downstream.

Natural Ingredients instead of Chemicals

Another key natural ingredient that sets us apart is the use of Irish sea moss, and its derivative carrageenan extract, as a thickener. This ingredient allow us to skip PEGs (polyethylene glycol) chemicals that most products use. It also soothes the scalp, conditions hair, enhances shine, and fortifies hair fibers.

According to the Environmental Working group, PEGs and polymer derivatives have been linked to cancer, fertility, birth or developmental defects. They could also be toxic to organs. California has classified polyethylene glycol as a developmental toxicant that may interfere with human development. PEGs can also cause irritation and systemic toxicity if used on broken skin. Yuck.

We have gotten some questions with concerns about carrageenan as a potential source of digestive inflammation. While that might be the case with products you ingest, there have been no problems with carrageenan as an ingredient in topical products. Research shows it’s too large to absorb on a cellular level and therefore can’t affect the gut from external use!

Vegan Personal Care Products

In our first round of products silk protein was included as a natural ingredient. Its inclusion caused some concern as to whether or not our products are vegan. I’m happy to say that our silk protein was actually from a botanical source, corn and soy. But even better, going forward our amazing manufacturers have been able to remove silk protein from our formula list completely. We are in the process of reordering right now. As soon as the new bottles are ready, no form of silk protein will be in our products!

Plaine Products takes our ingredients as seriously as we take our commitment to sustainable packaging. We will always ensure we have chemical free products that are safe and effective for you and your family, as well as safe or the planet.