Do you know what the HEL List is? Keep reading to find out!
The Haereticus Environmental Lab (HEL) runs the “Protect Land + Sea Certification” program in which companies can get their products certified as environmentally safe. They have a list of harmful chemicals that are natural pollutants in water systems and wildlife. Many of these chemicals are included in product formulations, intentionally, and may or may not be listed on the ingredients list.
The chemicals on the HEL list are:
UV - Chemicals
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor
- Octocrylene
- Para-aminobenzoic acid
Preservatives:
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Benxylparaben
- Triclosan
Soleil Toujours is proud to make quality sun care that does not harm the environment, especially the ocean and coral reefs. Our organic, mineral sunscreens and SPF products are not formulated with any of the chemicals listed on the HEL List. Many sun care products contain oxybenzone - known to be harmful to coral reefs. Recently the state of Hawaii banned sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate because these chemicals cause coral death (you can read more about it on our blog post here).
Our products are also free of all parabens - chemicals used as preservatives in the food and cosmetics industry to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Parabens can enter the body through the skin and can disrupt hormones by mimicking oestrogen. An increase in oestrogen can lead to cell division and tumor growths - thus linked to breast cancer. Parabens not only affect humans but have also been found in sea animals.
You can check out HEL here.