Ingredient Name
Natural or Synthetic?
How Safe Is It?
Can It Be Organic?
Learn more
It can also be organic!
It serves primarily as a skin conditioning agent. It can be used in combination with Grapefruit Seed Extract and Potassium Sorbate or other preservatives to boost the anti-microbial properties.
It can increase skin penetration of other ingredients so be sure all of the other ingredients in the product are safe and non-toxic.
Allowed in EcoCert products but not allowed in USDA certified products through the National Organic Program.
A 2017 study showed a strong link between allergic contact dermatitis - red or itchy skin - and CHA. Critics of the study noted that participants with damaged skin likely resulted in increased penetration of the CHA on the skin. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review noted that caution should be taken with the use of CHA in a manner that would result in increased penetration, such as formulation with penetration enhancers.
As with all essential oils, using a high grade essential oil that has been naturally extracted is imperative for the health and safety of your pet!
(activated)
More research is needed on the environmental impact of using this ingredient and whether or not it is bioaccumulative.
It has been shown to readily go through the skn barrier. Because of limited safety data, CHG is not recommended for use in children <2 months of age and for that reason we've thrown up the warning flag for using it on dogs. There are safer alternatives (like tea tree dog shampoo for dogs which should never be used on cats).
Citric acid may be used to adjust the pH of a product to make it more neutral. The goal when doing this is to get the pH closer to 7 - that of your dog's eyes so the manufacturer can claim "tear free". Unfortunately, these same shampoos often use ingredients that you would not want on your dog's eyes. So, yes they may be tear free, but the product is not safe and non-toxic!
As a note, your dog's skin is better served by a more alkaline pH and being careful around their eyes. If you do get shampoo in your dog's eyes, rinse with water and prevent them from rubbing the affected eye.
Some dogs may have skin sensitivity to citric acid although rare.
A foaming agent that has links to organ system toxicity and contamination concerns.
A foam producer that started as a coconut and has been chemically altered into a moderate cancer causer, hormone and thyroid disruptor and an organ toxin.
A synthetic surfactant associated with irritation & allergic contact dermatitis. Reactions could be due to the ingredient itself or impurities. Nitrosamines (a common contaminant) are known to cause cancer.
A a plant derived synthetic hair conditioning agent and foam booster. It is a relatively new ingredient that may have links to skin allergies but appears with the limited data available to be relatively safe.
A tricky ingredient to rate, it is an environmental toxin with known links to eye and skin irritation but it throught to be relatively safe. It got a not safe ranking based on being an environmental toxin.
Is a synthetic used as a foaming, cleansing, conditioning, and thickening agent. It is made from reaction of coconut oil fatty alcohols and fruit sugar (glucose). While synthetic, it is considered safe with minimal links to allergies.
Another name for coco-glycoside. Is a synthetic used as a foaming, cleansing, conditioning, and thickening agent. It is made from reaction of coconut oil fatty alcohols and fruit sugar (glucose). While synthetic, it is considered safe with minimal links to allergies.
Extremely hydrating, a great moisturizer that helps to provide a protective layer, retaining moisture in the skin while allowing the skin to breathe. As a mild oil, it is very good for inflamed or irritated skin, and on dogs with skin sensitivities.
There is of course organic and non-organic coconut oil. Prefer organic as it is non-GMO, no pesticides or herbicides used.
There are organic options for colloidal oatmeal but they are very rare and involve using a patent-pending extrusion process, which solubilizes the oat kernels to produce a natural or organic oatmeal without the need to process the oats extensively. Because this processing is more expensive, it is rarely used. We have it a "pretty safe" rating becuase of the differences in processing.