Cradle Calm

Clean, Malassezia-Safe Formulations:

• Malassezia Safe All of our formulas are made without ingredients that can feed Malassezia (a common yeast that lives on skin and scalp and is associated with flakes, itching, and breakouts). No oils, fatty acids, or esters that this yeast can eat — anywhere in the routine.
• No Steroids Steroids like hydrocortisone are prescription-style ingredients sometimes used on irritated skin. With long-term use, they’re associated with skin thinning, and stopping them suddenly can lead to rebound flare-ups.
• No Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT) A common anti-dandruff ingredient found in many medicated shampoos. The European Union banned ZPT in cosmetics in March 2024 over concerns about reproductive safety, though it’s still widely used in U.S. products.
• No Coal Tar A leftover byproduct from processing coal, used in some old-school medicated shampoos. Has a strong smell, can stain hair and fabric, and has been flagged by health agencies as a possible cancer risk at higher exposure levels.
• No Selenium Sulfide A medicated ingredient found in some dandruff shampoos. Associated with scalp dryness, irritation, and changes in hair color with regular use.
• No Sulfates Harsh cleansers (like SLS and SLES — the bubbly stuff in many shampoos and body washes). Can strip away natural oils and leave sensitive scalps and skin feeling tight and dry.
• No Parabens A group of preservatives used in tons of personal care products to keep them from spoiling. Studied for acting like estrogen in the body and have been detected in human tissue samples.
• No Phthalates A group of chemicals often hidden inside “fragrance” blends and used to soften plastics. Studied for their effects on hormones and reproductive health.
• No Silicones Synthetic ingredients (look for “-cone” or “-siloxane” on labels) that coat hair to give it temporary slip and shine. Build up over time and can trap dirt and oil against the scalp.
• No PEGs Petroleum-based ingredients (made from the same source as gasoline) used to mix oil and water in many products. Often contaminated during manufacturing with 1,4-dioxane, a chemical of concern flagged by the EPA.
• No Synthetic Fragrance The words “fragrance” or “parfum” on a label can hide dozens of undisclosed chemicals. Among the most commonly reported sources of skin sensitivity in personal care products.
• No Mineral Oil A leftover byproduct from making gasoline, used in many lotions, balms, and hair products. Forms an occlusive layer on skin that can trap dirt against pores.
• No Artificial Dyes Synthetic colorings (the FD&C and D&C numbers you see on labels) added just to make products look pretty. Made from petroleum and associated with skin sensitivity reactions in some people.
• No Talc A soft mineral powder used in some body powders and makeup. Has been the subject of major lawsuits over contamination with asbestos, a regulated mineral fiber classified as a known carcinogen by international health agencies.
• No Triclosan An antibacterial chemical once added to soaps and personal care products everywhere. The FDA banned it from over-the-counter washes in 2016 because companies couldn’t prove it was safe or worked any better than plain soap.
• No BHA/BHT Synthetic preservatives used to keep oils in lotions, lip balms, and cosmetics from going rancid. Studied for their effects on hormones and flagged by some health agencies as ingredients of concern.
• No DEA/TEA Two foam-boosting and pH-balancing chemicals (diethanolamine and triethanolamine) used in many shampoos and cleansers. Can react with other ingredients in the bottle to form nitrosamines — a group of chemicals flagged as a safety concern.
• No EDTA A chemical added to many products to grab onto minerals in tap water and keep formulas stable. Doesn’t break down well in nature and builds up in lakes, rivers, and oceans after it rinses down the drain.