Not all “clean” skincare is created equal. Just because something is labeled non-toxic, natural, or plant-based doesn’t mean it’s truly gentle, or safe, for your skin or hormones.
At Flora x Fauna Skin, we go beyond the marketing buzzwords to formulate with true biocompatibility, whole-plant intelligence, and radical transparency. Here's a breakdown of 3 ingredients commonly found in clean-labeled skincare that you won’t find in our formulas, and why:
1. Phenoxyethanol
A synthetic preservative that may compromise your skin’s microbiome.
🚫 Why we don’t use it:
Phenoxyethanol is often found in “paraben-free” skincare as the clean alternative, but it’s far from harmless. It can:
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Disrupt the delicate balance of your skin’s microbiome
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Irritate sensitive or reactive skin types
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Be absorbed into the body, especially when used on compromised skin barriers
🧪 How it’s made:
Phenoxyethanol is chemically synthesized by combining:
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Phenol (derived from petroleum or coal tar)
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Ethylene oxide (a petrochemical compound)
This reaction creates 2-phenoxyethanol, a compound used to kill bacteria and fungi in cosmetic products. While trace amounts may occur naturally in green tea or chicory, the version used in skincare is virtually always synthetic.
🙅 Why it's used (but not by us):
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Prevents microbial growth (bacteria, mold, yeast)
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Extends shelf life
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Replaces parabens in "clean" formulas
We prefer natural preservation systems that respect your skin's ecology, not override it.
2. Essential Oils
Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s gentle.
🚫 Why we don’t use them:
Essential oils are extremely concentrated volatile compounds. While they smell nice and come from plants, they can:
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Sensitize or irritate skin over time
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Disrupt hormonal balance (yes, even lavender and tea tree)
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Trigger eczema, hives, dermatitis, and even burns
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Be too stimulating for the nervous system or endocrine system, especially with daily use
🌿 How they’re made:
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Steam distillation or cold pressing isolates only the most volatile molecules of a plant
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1 pound of essential oil = up to 250 pounds of raw plant material
That’s not only unsustainably produced, but also far more potent than what your skin evolved to handle. In short: more is not always better.
😌 Why others use them:
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Fragrance and aromatherapy claims
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Antimicrobial effects
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Marketing (“botanical,” “green,” “plant-powered”)
But we believe in using the whole plant, not an extract that overpowers your skin.
3. Fragrance: Even the “Natural” Kind
What’s hiding behind that “clean” scent?
🚫 Why we don’t use it:
“Fragrance” or “parfum” is a catch-all term for dozens (sometimes hundreds) of undisclosed ingredients. Even “natural fragrance” may include:
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Essential oil blends
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Isolates (natural or synthetic)
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Phthalates (known hormone disruptors)
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Common allergens
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Proprietary compounds the brand doesn’t have to disclose
That means you don’t actually know what’s in the product — and your skin and endocrine system are left to deal with the consequences.
🔍 Watch for these labels:
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Fragrance
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Parfum
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Aroma
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Essential oil blend
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Natural fragrance
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Botanical fragrance
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Flavor (in lip products)
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“Fragrance (from essential oils)”
Even when marketed as “clean,” if it’s not fully disclosed, it’s not fully transparent — and it’s not for us.
🌿 Bottom Line:
Your skincare shouldn’t be a mystery. At Flora x Fauna Skin, we skip the sneaky stuff, no essential oils, no phenoxyethanol, and no hidden fragrance blends. Just whole-plant, hormone-safe skincare rooted in nature, integrity, and ancestral wisdom.
Got questions about your current products?
Drop an ingredient below or DM us, we’ll decode it for you.
