Walk down any skincare aisle and you'll be greeted by products packed with ingredients you've probably never heard of. Now, we're not here to tell you that every synthetic ingredient is harmful or that you need to throw out your entire bathroom cabinet overnight. But we do believe that when it comes to skincare, simpler is often better.
At OhSo Bare, we're passionate about creating products with ingredients that serve a purpose, not simply ingredients added to improve texture, fragrance, shelf appeal or marketing claims. So let's take a look at some of the ingredients we choose to leave out of our formulations, and why many people are choosing to avoid them too.
Synthetic Fragrances
If you've ever looked at an ingredient list and simply seen the word "fragrance" or "parfum", you might be surprised to learn that this can sometimes represent a blend of multiple ingredients. Whilst fragrance isn't necessarily harmful, many people with sensitive skin find it can contribute to irritation, redness or discomfort. That's why we prefer naturally derived scents or fragrance-free formulations wherever possible.
Petroleum-Based Ingredients
Petroleum-derived ingredients are commonly used in skincare because they're inexpensive and effective at creating a barrier on the skin. However, many people prefer to avoid them in favour of ingredients that actively nourish and support the skin rather than simply coating it.
Instead, we choose nutrient-rich ingredients such as grass-fed tallow, which provides naturally occurring fatty acids and vitamins that work in harmony with the skin.
Unnecessary Fillers
Some skincare products contain large amounts of filler ingredients designed primarily to alter texture, reduce production costs or bulk out a formula. At OhSo Bare, we believe every ingredient should earn its place. Rather than filling our products with unnecessary extras, we focus on ingredients chosen for their skin-supporting benefits.
Harsh Drying Alcohols
Not all alcohols are bad. In fact, many fatty alcohols are beneficial and help improve the feel of skincare products. The alcohols we choose to avoid are harsh, drying alcohols that can leave skin feeling stripped, tight and uncomfortable, particularly for those with sensitive or compromised skin barriers.
Artificial Colours
Bright colours may look appealing in a jar or bottle, but they rarely provide any benefit to the skin itself. That's why you'll never find us adding colour purely for appearance. We prefer our products to look exactly as nature intended.
Why Some People Choose To Avoid Certain Ingredients
One of the biggest reasons people switch to lower-tox skincare is concern around ingredient accumulation and long-term exposure. Whilst cosmetic ingredients approved for use in the UK are considered safe within regulated limits, some consumers prefer to take a more precautionary approach and choose products made with fewer synthetic ingredients.
Ingredients that are commonly discussed within the low-tox community include:
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Synthetic fragrances
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Certain preservatives
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Phthalates
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Petroleum-derived ingredients
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Artificial colourants
Some of these ingredients have been the subject of ongoing research and debate around topics such as skin sensitivity, environmental impact and potential endocrine (hormone) disruption. For many families, the goal isn't fear or perfection. It's simply reducing exposure to ingredients they'd rather avoid where suitable alternatives exist.
That's why at OhSo Bare, we focus on simple, skin-supportive formulations made with carefully selected ingredients and without unnecessary fillers, synthetic fragrances or harsh additives. We believe skincare should nourish your skin, not leave you questioning what's in it.
Why Simplicity Matters
Our skin is incredibly intelligent. It doesn't need a 40-ingredient formula packed with unnecessary extras to function at its best. Often, the most effective skincare routines are the simplest ones. That's why our formulations focus on nourishing, recognisable ingredients that help support the skin barrier and provide lasting hydration.
What We Choose Instead
Rather than focusing solely on what we leave out, we believe it's just as important to talk about what we put in. Our products are formulated with ingredients such as:
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Organic grass-fed tallow
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Botanical oils
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Naturally occurring vitamins and fatty acids
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Skin-supporting ingredients that nourish and protect
These ingredients are carefully selected to help keep skin healthy, hydrated and balanced.
The Takeaway
Choosing lower-tox skincare isn't about fear or perfection. It's about becoming more aware of the products you use every day and making informed choices that feel right for you and your family. At OhSo Bare, we believe skincare should be simple, effective and made with ingredients your skin can recognise and benefit from.
Because when you remove the unnecessary, what you're left with is skincare that simply makes sense.
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