WE Promise ~ Integrity

Elemental aluminum is the third most abundant element on earth. It occurs in various sources, including drinking water, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and consumer products. Aluminum can also form as salts or oxides. The toxicity of different aluminum forms depends mainly on its relative solubility in water and the pH range. In addition, aluminum compounds appear to be poorly absorbed by the human body. Still, elemental aluminum is a known toxicant at high doses. Therefore, we avoid aluminum powder from all products.

Clarifying note: Aluminum oxide (aka alumina), aluminum hydroxide, and related compounds are permitted as functional ingredients in products. Unlike elemental aluminum or aluminum salts, aluminum oxide or its hydrated form, aluminum hydroxide, are essentially insoluble in water (at or near neutral pH); therefore, exposure to aluminum through cosmetics is negligible because of poor bio-accessibility through the skin. The EU, Canada, Japan, and the US have not restricted using these ingredients in cosmetics but have also not determined them “safe.” Few ingredients are safe since there is a lack of data on most of them, and not all routes of exposures are the same.

Animal Oils (except for Lanolin), Animal Musks, and Animal Fats are prohibited.

Synthetic antioxidants extend shelf life. However, they are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors and may cause liver damage.

Some chemical sunscreens cause hormone disruption. Others, like Avobenzone, appear safer but remain understudied. Chemical Sunscreens include Benzophenone; Diphenylmethanone; Diphenyl Ketone; 119-61-9; Benzoylbenzene; Phenyl Ketone; Oxybenzone; 2-Hydroxy-4 Methoxybenzophenone; 131-57-7; Benzophenone-3; (2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxyphenyl), and Octinoxate.

Cyclic silicones include Cyclopentasiloxane (D4), Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), Cyclopentasiloxane (D6), and Cyclomethicone. Data indicates that some of these chemicals may have reproductive, developmental toxicity, and endocrine disruption concerns. They are also persistent in the environment and may build up in the food chain.

A chelating (binding) agent is added to cosmetics to improve stability. It may be toxic to organs.

These ingredients (including DEA/TEA/MEA/ETA) may contain chemicals like Nitrosamines linked to cancer. In addition, surfactants and pH adjusters are linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development.

These synthetically produced ingredients use Ethylene Oxide, a known carcinogen. 1,4-Dioxane, another carcinogen, often contaminates the Ethoxylated elements, but 1,4-Dioxane itself doesn’t appear on ingredient labels. To avoid Ethoxylated compounds, look for these common ingredients listed on labels (although more exist too):

• Ceteareth-20: This is the Polyethylene Glycol Ether of Cetearyl Alcohol and may contain potentially toxic impurities such as 1,4-Dioxane
• Emulsifying wax: This is usually a blend of Cetearyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60 or Ceteareth-20
• PEGS, including PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) compounds, like PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-40, and related chemicals. (There are over 1000 PEG ingredients listed in the International Nomenclature of Cosmetics Ingredients Database)
• Polysorbate-20, Polysorbate-40
• Steareth-20
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, and most ingredients ending in “-eth”

Although typically not listed as an ingredient, Formaldehyde “releasers” or “donors” often are listed on ingredient labels. These ingredients likely have a presence of Formaldehyde and are prohibited by Yudoyu:

• Dmdm Hydantoin
• Diazolidinyl Urea
• Imidazolidinyl Urea
• Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin
• Quaternium-15
• Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
• 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
• Polyoxymethylene Urea
• 5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3 Dioxane
• Glyoxal
• Methenamine
• Benzylhemiformal is a known carcinogen linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity.

A skin-lightening chemical that inhibits melanin production and may cause cancer, organ toxicity, and skin irritation.

This ingredient is banned in the EU; it’s a solvent used as an additive in perfumes. It can cause skin irritation and may cause effects on the central nervous system, blood, bone marrow, kidneys, and liver.

A chemical preservative that irritates and causes skin allergies.

Sunscreen agents and ultraviolet light absorbers may cause irritation, sensitization, allergies, and possible hormone disruption.

These preservatives prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. In addition, parabens are endocrine (or hormone) disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies.

Petrolatum is a semisolid mixture derived from processed petroleum. 

Mineral Oil, Paraffin Wax, Liquid Paraffin, and several other ingredients are petroleum distillation byproducts. 

The concerns with these ingredients are unsustainable sourcing and possible PAH contamination. In addition, PAHs (which stands for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons) may cause cancer.

Note: Yudoyu encourages brands that use natural ingredients and no petroleum-derived ingredients.

These plasticizing chemicals make products pliable or make fragrances stick to the skin. In addition, phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and may cause congenital disabilities.

PEGs are cosmetics thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture carriers. Depending on manufacturing processes, PEGs contain potential carcinogens ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.

Hair dyes contain Resorcinol, and it’s linked to a host of issues, including allergies, irritation, and hormone disruption.

Retinyl palmitate is an ingredient composed of palmitic acid and retinol (Vitamin A). Data indicate that retinyl palmitate causes adverse health consequences like lesions and photosensitization. FDA, Norwegian, and German health agencies have concerns that daily skin application of vitamin A creams may contribute to excessive vitamin A intake for pregnant women and other populations.

SLS and SLES are surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. SLES often contain 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation, used to process other chemicals to make them less harsh.

Engineered scents or flavoring agents may contain any combination of 3,000-plus stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law’s classification of trade secrets and therefore can remain undisclosed.

A volatile petrochemical solvent that is toxic to the immune system and can cause congenital disabilities.

Antimicrobial pesticides are toxic to aquatic environments; may also impact human reproductive systems.