Parabens are a type of preservative, used in cosmetic products to extend shelf life and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold.

We consider parabens to be safe and effective preservatives when used as directed by EU and other regulatory authorities. Parabens are just one of the preservative systems we use in our products, and many of our products do not contain them. If present, they will be clearly listed as one of the following ingredients:

• Propylparaben
• Methylparaben
• Ethylparaben

Sulfates are a type of cleansing ingredient used in hair care products to help remove dirt, oil, and buildup. But not all sulfates are created equal. Through our research, we identified mild sulphates (“ethoxylated sulphates”) that are powerfully effective, yet gentle enough for scalp and hair. When formulated just the right way, these sulphates can help to keep blonde looking light and bright, red looking bold and vivid, brunette looking rich and multi-dimensional, and curls looking defined and bouncy. Mild, gentle sulphates won’t fade your hair colour or ruin your style and we’ve proven this through extensive testing.

There are hundreds of different types of silicones that deliver various benefits for hair. Silicones work by forming a microscopically thin and flexible coating on hair that creates a barrier against frizz and humidity, and locks in moisture when applied to wet or damp hair. Some of our formulas include silicones to smooth frizz, add softness and shine, provide colour protection, detangle, reduce fly-aways, and to seal split ends. The types of silicone used in our formulas are never drying and, when used properly, do not create unwanted heaviness. They are easily removed by shampooing, and do not build up on nor harm hair.

Phthalates are a group of materials used in cosmetic products to improve fragrance experience and product performance. John Frieda products do not contain phthalates in our formulas or our fragrances. In the past, certain phthalates served three purposes in cosmetic products.

The first was to improve fragrance performance.

The second was to improve the longevity of products that form ‘films,’ such as nail polishes and hairsprays.

The third was as a ‘denaturant’ in alcohol to make the alcohol unsuitable for drinking to prevent accidental ingestion by children.

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), an independent scientific committee to the European Commission, published a favorable opinion of phthalates used in cosmetic products. They concluded that although there is no data available to demonstrate an association between phthalates in cosmetics and health risks, they have been measured within urine. Overall, the personal care industry has vastly decreased inclusion within use of phthalates in cosmetic products.

We believe that considerations for animal welfare are important in all our activities. And we actively support the global movement to abolish animal testing. That´s why all our John Frieda products are cruelty-free – meaning that we do not test our products or the materials within them on animals.

The European Union (EU) was first to enact restrictions on animal testing of cosmetics, which require that all cosmetics are cruelty-free. The EU regulations have served as the basis for other governmental bans across the globe (, including the UK)*. We follow the conventions of the EU, and other governmental bans, on animal testing for cosmetics. The materials we use may also be subject to regulations outside the cosmetics industry. On occasion, these laws and regulations require testing of materials outside of the cosmetics category.

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