The Powderful Promise

Clean Beauty Starts with Cleaner Choices for You and the Planet
At The Powder Shampoo, we believe that what’s left out of your personal care products is just as important as what goes in. That’s why The Powderful Promise™️ is our commitment to creating formulas free from unnecessary additives, harsh chemicals, and harmful ingredients—because your hair, skin, and the environment deserve only the best.

More people are recognizing that the ingredients in their shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and other essentials don’t just affect them—they also wash down the drain and impact the planet. Yet, despite this growing awareness, the industry remains largely under-regulated, with little oversight ensuring that products are truly safe and sustainable.

At The Powder Shampoo®️, we believe in clean, conscious care—which means choosing safe, effective ingredients that benefit both you and the planet. Because clean, conscious care isn’t just a trend—it’s our responsibility.  That’s The Powderful Promise™️.

Below are some of the key ingredients we restrict or prohibit under The Powderful Promise™️.

Animal-Derived Ingredients

We prohibit animal musks, animal fats, and all other animal-derived ingredients, ensuring our products remain cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

Beeswax & Other Bee Products

Bee populations are in big trouble with a 50% decline for wild bees and some facing extinction. At The Powder Shampoo®, we are proudly 100% vegan. That means we do not use beeswax, honey, royal jelly, propolis, or any other animal-derived ingredients in our formulations. 

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

A synthetic preservative linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and skin irritation.

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

A toluene-based preservative known to cause skin irritation and potential health concerns.

Chemical Sunscreens

Some chemical UV filters, such as Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, and Benzophenone, have been linked to hormone disruption and environmental damage, particularly harming marine ecosystems. We prohibit all chemical sunscreens.

Cyclic Silicones

Including Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), Cyclohexasiloxane (D6), and Cyclomethicone—these ingredients have been associated with reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and environmental persistence.

Dimethicone & Other Linear Silicones

We refuse to use dimethicone and other linear silicones in our products because:

•        They do not biodegrade well, contributing to environmental pollution.
•        They may clog pores, especially for those with acne-prone skin.
•        Hair, scalp, and skin cannot “breathe” properly under a layer of silicone, potentially leading to buildup and imbalance.

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)

Used as a chelating agent, EDTA does not easily break down in the environment and has been found in waterways, raising concerns for aquatic life.

Ethanolamines (DEA, TEA, MEA, ETA)

These compounds may be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are linked to cancer.

Ethoxylated Ingredients

Ethoxylated ingredients are produced using ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen, and may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, another carcinogenic byproduct. These chemicals do not appear on ingredient labels, making transparency difficult.
We prohibit most ethoxylated ingredients, including:

•        Ceteareth-20, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, and other ingredients ending in "-eth"
•        Emulsifying Wax (often a blend of Cetearyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60 or Ceteareth-20)
•        Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) compounds (over 1,000 PEG ingredients exist in cosmetics)
•        Polysorbates (e.g., Polysorbate-20, Polysorbate-80, etc.)

Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

While often not listed directly, preservatives such as DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, and Quaternium-15 can release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and skin irritant.

Fragrance

At The Powder Shampoo®, we refuse to use:

•        Perfumes or synthetic fragrances
•        Phthalates
•        Nitromusks
•        Polycyclic musks

We believe in pure, natural beauty, which is why we only use pure essential oils to scent our products. Our essential oils are carefully selected for their aromatherapeutic benefits and natural fragrance, ensuring a clean and non-toxic experience for you and the planet.

Glycols, Propylene Glycol & Other Glycols

At The Powder Shampoo®, we refuse to use:

•        Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs) These ingredients are ethoxylated, meaning they are processed using ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen, and may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, another harmful byproduct.

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals like lead, nickel, and cadmium can be found in trace amounts in both natural mineral pigments and synthetic colorants. While contamination levels are typically low, heavy metals can accumulate in the body over time.

Hydroquinone

A skin-lightening agent that inhibits melanin production but may cause skin irritation, discoloration, and is linked to benzene, a known carcinogen.

Japanese Honeysuckle

This natural preservative has a chemical structure similar to parabens, which are linked to endocrine disruption. While there is no direct evidence that Japanese Honeysuckle behaves like a paraben, we avoid it out of precaution.

Lanolin & Keratin (Animal-Derived Ingredients)

At The Powder Shampoo®, we are a 100% vegan brand and do not use animal-derived ingredients 

•        Lanolin (derived from sheep’s oil glands)
•        Keratin (often sourced from sheep’s wool or other animal sources)

Methyl Cellosolve (2-Methoxyethanol)

Banned in the EU, this solvent used in fragrances may cause skin irritation and toxicity to the nervous system, kidneys, and liver.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone & Methylisothiazolinone

These preservatives, banned in leave-on products in the EU, can cause skin allergies, irritation, and potential neurotoxicity.

Mica

At The Powder Shampoo®, we refuse to use mica. While mica is a natural and safe mineral used for its sparkle and brightening effects, it is often mined under exploitative conditions, including child labor in regions like India.

Nitromusks & Polycyclic Musks

At The Powder Shampoo®, we refuse to use mica. While mica is a natural and safe mineral used for its sparkle and brightening effects, it is often mined under exploitative conditions, including child labor in regions like India.

Palm Oil and Palm-Derived Ingredients

We refuse to use non-sustainable palm oil or palm-derived ingredients, most palm oil today is grown and harvested in an unsustainable and destructive manner.

Parabens

Certain parabens, including Butylparaben, Isopropylparaben, and Methylparaben, have been linked to hormone disruption. We prohibit all parabens out of caution.

Perfluorinated Compounds (PFAS/PFCs)

Used for their water- and oil-repellent properties, these persistent chemicals do not break down in the environment. Some have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, liver toxicity, and obesity. We avoid any ingredient with “perfluor” or “polyfluor” in its name.

Petrolatum & Paraffin

Derived from petroleum processing, ingredients like mineral oil, paraffin wax, and liquid paraffin may contain PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons), which are linked to cancer. Additionally, petroleum-based ingredients raise sustainability concerns.

Petroleum-Derived and Synthetic Ingredients

At The Powder Shampoo®, we refuse to use petroleum-derived or synthetic ingredients (e.g., mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum) in our formulations.

Phenoxyethanol

We do not use phenoxyethanol in our formulations. Instead, we choose alternative, non-toxic preservatives that meet The Powderful Promise™

Phthalates

Phthalates are plasticizing chemicals often used in fragrances, sometimes hidden under the term "fragrance." Some have been linked to hormone disruption, so we prohibit their use entirely.

Polycyclic Musks

Synthetic fragrance ingredients like Nitromusks and Polycyclic Musks raise concerns about endocrine disruption and environmental persistence, making them unsafe for both people and the planet.

Resorcinol

Commonly found in hair dyes, resorcinol has been linked to allergies, skin irritation, and hormone disruption.

Retinyl Palmitate

Retinyl Palmitate is a retinoid that may increase sun sensitivity when applied to skin and exposed to direct sunlight.

Talc

At The Powder Shampoo®, we refuse to use talc in our products. We opt for talc-free alternatives, such as rice powder, arrowroot powder, or kaolin clay, which provide similar benefits without the concerns associated with talc.

Toluene

A solvent often found in nail polishes, toluene is toxic to the immune system and may cause birth defects with prolonged exposure.

Triclosan & Triclocarban

These antibacterial agents, used in personal care and household cleaning products, are persistent in the environment and have been associated with hormone disruption.

The Powder Shampoo vs Traditional Liquid Shampoo

Contains 0% Water

Light & Easy to Transport

Over 80% of Aluminum 

is Recycled

Reusable, Refillable 

Recyclable & Compostable

Does not become Microplastics

Contains 80 - 90% Water

Heavy to Transport

Only 9% of Plastic 
is Recycled

Single Use Plastic Packaging

500 years to Decompose

Plastic becomes Microplastics

Contains 0% Water

Light & Easy to Transport

Over 80% of Aluminum is Recycled

Reusable, Refillable & Recyclable

Recyclable & Compostable 

Does not become Microplastics

Contains 80 - 90% Water

Heavy to Transport

Only 9% of Plastic is Recycled

Single Use Plastic Packaging

500 years to Decompose

Plastic becomes Microplastics