All Ulta Made Without List Banned Ingredients To Explore

You may have heard about the Ulta Beauty Conscious Beauty initiative, which provides more guidance towards brands that support your values. It contains five principles: cruelty-free, vegan, clean ingredients, sustainable packaging, and giving back.

In this post, we are zooming in on the clean ingredients principle. Every brand certified as having Clean Ingredients complies with the Ulta Made Without List, which outlines substances like parabens, phthalates, and more.

This article will explore the Made Without List as part of Conscious Beauty at Ulta, focusing on the banned ingredients. You’ll find out all the banned ingredients so you can safely purchase your fave beauty products when they’re marked as Clean Ingredients at Ulta.

What Is The Ulta Made Without List?

The “Made Without List” by Ulta serves as a vital guide for conscious consumers. This list identifies specific ingredients that are prohibited or limited in the formulation of beauty and personal care products offered by participating brands. The aim? Transparency in your beauty choices.

Ulta’s Clean Ingredients pillar showcases brands committed to formulating hair, skin, makeup, body, and fragrance products that align with the “Made Without List” standards.

These standards target ingredients associated with adverse health effects or environmental impacts. For example, you won’t find harmful chemicals like parabens and phthalates on this list.

It’s important to note that the “Made Without List” doesn’t guarantee that the product is 100% free from all contaminants.

While trace contaminants can occur during manufacturing, Ulta encourages brands to thoroughly test raw materials and final formulas. This approach prioritizes your health and the planet’s well-being, ensuring you trust your chosen products.

In short, the “Made Without List” empowers you to make informed choices about the products you put on your skin. Emphasizing cruelty-free and vegan standards, this initiative aligns perfectly with your values of sustainability and ethical consumerism.

By supporting brands that adhere to these standards, you’re participating in a movement towards a more responsible beauty industry.

The “Made Without List”

The “Made Without List” by Ulta Beauty highlights the ingredients you won’t find in their conscious beauty products. This list serves as a vital resource for consumers seeking safer and more ethical options. By outlining what’s banned, Ulta empowers you to make informed decisions that align with your values.

Key Ingredients Banned From Beauty Products

• Parabens: Common preservatives linked to hormone disruption. Many brands are opting out of using parabens to cater to conscious consumers.
• Phthalates: Often found in fragrances, these compounds can affect reproductive health. Their removal from products is a significant step toward safeguarding your well-being.
• Formaldehyde: Recognized as a carcinogen, this ingredient is used in some hair treatments and nail products. Ulta’s stance against it promotes safer beauty practices.
• Sulfates: Agents that create lather in shampoos can strip natural oils and irritate skin. Cleaner alternatives enhance your beauty regimen without harsh chemicals.
• Synthetic Fragrances: These can cause allergies and respiratory issues. Choosing products free from synthetic scents supports a healthier lifestyle.

The Complete “Made Without List”

Acrylates: Primarily used as adhesives in eyelash products and as a barrier former/bonding agent in nail polish

Acetaldehyde: Used as a fragrance ingredient in fragrances and cosmetic products. 

Acetonitrile: Used to help dissolve chemicals in nail products and perfumes.

Alkylphenols (Octylphenols, nonylphenols) and Alkylphenol Ethoxylates: Used in cosmetics products as a foaming agent and can be found in hair products, toothpaste, soaps, makeup remover, cleansers, and lotions.

Aluminum compounds: Allowed in cosmetics except for antiperspirants, loose powder, and dry shampoos.

Aluminum powder: Used as a colorant in many cosmetics. Allowed in cosmetics except lip products, antiperspirants, loose powder, and dry shampoos.

Aluminum salts and complexes: Used to block pores in the skin to prevent sweat. Allowed in cosmetics except lip products, antiperspirants, loose powder, and dry shampoos.

Benzophenone, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-2: Used to prevent color from fading.

Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone): Used as a sun protectant in sunscreens and other beauty products by absorbing UV light.

Black 3: Used as a colorant often in eyeliner, eye shadow, and mascara.

Butoxyethanol: Used to help dissolve chemicals in nail products.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA): Antioxidant used to stabilize fragrances and cosmetics. Not allowed for use in the EU and US.

Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4): A type of silicone used in cosmetics, deodorants, defoamers, lubricants, and soaps.

Dioxin: Contaminants found in some raw materials used in personal care products. Products may contain trace amounts below regulated standards.

Ethoxylated ingredients: Ethoxylated ingredients include PEGs and polyethylene glycol or polysorbate.

Formaldehyde-releasing agents (formaldehyde donors): Used in cosmetics, hair products, shampoos, and body washes as a preservative.

Latex: Commonly used in eyelash adhesives. Some individuals have sensitivity to latex.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), Methylisothiazolinone (MIT): Used as a preservative in a variety of personal care products. It is not allowed for use in the EU and Canada.

Nanomaterials: Used in sprays or loose powders. Nanomaterials are not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure by inhalation. Products may contain trace amounts below regulated standards.

Octinoxate: Used as a sun protectant in sunscreens.

Parabens: Used as preservatives in a variety of personal care and cosmetic products.

Perfluorinated compounds (PTFE, PFAS, PFOA, PFOS): Used as film formers in cosmetics. They have been banned in some U.S. states, so cosmetic use is limited.

Phenylenediamine, phenylenediamine salts & phenylenediamine derivatives: Used as hair dyeing agents.

Phthalates: Used to dissolve other chemicals in nail enamel and fragrances.

Resorcinol: Used in anti-acne products and hair dyes.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Used in cosmetics products as a foaming agent and can be found in hair products, toothpaste, soaps, makeup removers, cleansers, and lotions.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Used in cosmetics products as a foaming agent and can be found in hair products, toothpaste, soaps, makeup removers, cleansers, and lotions.

Styrene & styrene oxide: Used as a solvent and is not used in cosmetics.

Limited Use Ingredients

The following ingredients are permitted to be used in formulations if the ingredients are used in accordance with the corresponding restricted limits, grade requirements and/or regulated standards.

Benzyl Alcohol (limited use 1% or less): Used as a preservative, often found in fragrances and toners. Products may contain trace amounts below regulated standards.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) (limited use of 0.05% or less): Antioxidant used to stabilize fragrances and cosmetics. Products may contain trace amounts below regulated standards.

Carbon Black (limited use if it meets EU and FDA purity requirements): Previously used in cosmetics and hair dyes. The FDA has prohibited the use of this colorant in hair dyes and other cosmetics in this form. Products may contain trace amounts below regulated standards.

TEA (Triethanolamine) (limited use for TEA of 2.5% or less): Found in a variety of beauty and personal care products, used as a pH modifier. Products may contain trace amounts below regulated standards.

Fragrances (must conform to IFRA standards): Used in a variety of personal care and cosmetic products. Fragrances must meet International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards, which ban, limit, or set criteria for the use of certain ingredients based on scientific evidence and consumer insights.

Mineral oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum (all required to be USP, NF, or PH. Eur grade): Made from the breakdown of crude oil in the petrochemical refining process and found in a variety of personal care products. We require United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) grade to ensure the highest quality is used to prevent contaminants.

Retinol and esters (Limited use): Used in skin creams and serums, it is a vitamin A derivative. Products may contain trace amounts below regulated standards.

Talc (with Asbestiform): Used as an opacifier in some powder cosmetics. If manufactured to standards, asbestos should not be present.

Zinc Oxide: Allowed in cosmetics except in sprays and loose powders.

Other ingredients

The following ingredients are no longer commonly used in beauty and personal care products or are natural contaminants in manufacturing. The brands participating in the Clean Ingredients pillar of Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™ have represented that they do not intentionally add these ingredients to their products.

Acrylamide: Contaminant found in raw materials such as film formers used in personal care products.

Dioxin (limited use of 2ppt or less): Contaminant found in some raw materials used in personal care products.

1,4-Dioxane (limited use of less than 10 ppm in rinse-off products and less than 3 ppm in leave-on products): Contaminant found in some raw materials used in personal care products.

DEA complexes/derivatives/condensates (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine): DEA was commonly used in body washes or other cleaning agents and is no longer common due to safety concerns. MEA was primarily used in hair dyes and is no longer common.

Ethylhexyl Ethylhexanoate: An ester that was used as an emollient, but it is no longer commonly used.

Formaldehyde: Helps adhere color to nail enamel and was used as a preservative in water-based products (e.g., hair products). It is no longer allowed in cosmetics.

Heavy Metals – Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel: Heavy metals are found naturally in the earth and may therefore be found in pigments and mineral-based raw materials. These are not intentionally added ingredients, and Ulta Beauty has established limits for these ingredients in finished products.

Hydroquinone: Used to whiten or lighten skin. Banned in the U.S.

Lead Acetate: Used in hair dye. It is regulated by the FDA specifically for use in hair dyes and requires a caution statement on product labels.

Methyl Cellosolve (Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether or 2-Methoxyethanol): Used to dissolve other ingredients and remove chemicals in varnish and dyes.

Phenoxyethanol: Used in most water-based beauty products as a preservative and is considered safe when used at 1% or below.

Polyethylene microbeads, polypropylene microbeads & polystyrene microbeads (restricted in rinse-off products only): Microbeads used as an exfoliant. They accumulate in the environment, causing harm; a global ban is in place in most major regions, including the U.S., Canada, and the EU.

Thimerosal: Formerly used as a preservative in eye makeup. It is not currently used due to Prop 65 listing.

Toluene: Formerly used in nail polish.

Triclocarban: Formerly used in anti-bacterial soap and is no longer common in beauty and personal care formulations.

Triclosan: Previously used as an antimicrobial in hand and body soaps. It is currently not allowed in the U.S. or EU.

Why It Matters

Choosing products on Ulta’s “Made Without List” is more than just personal preference; it’s a commitment to conscious living. Every purchase supports brands that prioritize ethical practices and exclude harmful ingredients.

This collective action contributes to a more significant impact on animal welfare and environmental conservation. When you share your findings or advocate for clean beauty, you inspire others to join the cause.

Conclusion

Embracing conscious beauty at Ulta means making informed choices that align with your values. By opting for products from the “Made Without List,” you’re not just enhancing your beauty routine but also supporting a healthier planet.

The commitment to banning harmful ingredients like parabens and phthalates empowers you to prioritize your well-being and that of the environment.

As you explore Ulta’s Conscious Beauty initiative, remember that every choice you make contributes to a more sustainable future.

By selecting brands that adhere to these standards, you’re joining a growing community dedicated to ethical practices and healthier beauty. Your journey toward conscious beauty starts with awareness and intention, paving the way for a cleaner, more responsible beauty industry.