We are going to quote from our favourite source for ingredient safety for this one (www.ewg.org).

http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2010/04/spring-clean-your-cosmetics-go-without-these-6-ingredients

PEG & ingredients that end with “-eth” – What are they?

In personal care products (like shampoo, body wash, liquid soaps) these raw ingredients are reacted with ethylene oxide, a known human carcinogen, and added to product formulations to make the ingredients softer on the skin. Ingredients ending in “-eth” (e.g. sodium laureth sulfate) and ingredients including the word “PEG” (e.g. PEG-4 Laurate) are what you should avoid.

Why should we avoid them? The ethoxylating process contaminates the product with a suspected carcinogen, 1, 4-dioxane. The product is then purified to remove the 1, 4-dioxane, but this process isn’t perfect, leaving behind trace amounts of the contaminant. A 2009 study from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics highlights this disturbing and common problem.

At Bondi Wash we continue to research ingredient safety, are always looking for safer alternatives in our product development. It will mean shorter shelf-life and keeping products out of sunlight – but we think these are a small price to pay for the health of our family, our skin and our planet.

Always feel free to contact us with any questions about an ingredient or ingredients we use – europe@bondiwash.com.au. We love hearing from you