if you are a long time D+L shopper, you might have noticed all the changes we’ve made to our line over the years. while we have high standards for all duross & langel products, you may not know that for years we have struggled to find fragrances in our industry that do not contain ingredients known as phthalates. phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment (air, soil, or water supply), food sources, personal care products, and manufactured products that interfere with the normal function of your body's endocrine system. phthalates are used in many mass manufactured products to make the scent last longer on the skin. so when people tell us they wished our scents were "stronger" or tell us that our scents don't "last" on the skin, it is because we don't use phthalates in our products. we believe that these substances should be banned world-wide and since 2008, when we began reformulating our products to be sulfate-free and paraben-free, we also banned phthalates in all our fragrances. we have also excluded any materials with similar health concerns, including those on the E.U.’s ban list, and materials that are known carcinogens.

historically the cosmetics industry has never been transparent about safety. a lack of disclosure from fragrance manufacturers regarding ingredients and possible health risks was the norm. almost a decade ago, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA, adopted and began enforcing labeling requirements from the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). this set of GHS requirements requires the disclosure of potential hazards of a substance in a commercial facility, and for purposes related to shipping. while not designed for fragrance or skincare safety specifically, it was an opportunity for small manufacturers like us to demand more information about the materials in our fragrances and other ingredients that might be considered questionable.

the information we obtained about these materials, the effects they have on human health, was the catalyst for broadening our perspective as to how we operate as company. both in the workshop and in the store. given our massive exposure to the materials we use during the production phase, please know that there are four material groups we do not allow in our products

• carcinogens – materials known to cause cancer

• mutagens – materials that change the DNA of a cell and cause disease

• reproductive toxins – toxins that adversely affect reproductive organs and increase risk of birth defects

• organ toxins - toxins that can cause adverse effects or disease

as we continue to observe, identify and investigate ingredients, we will continue to safely improve what we create. we are always open to discussing any concerns you might have, and will offer sources of empirical data to help you in making the best choices for you and your family.

because sarah and i skew toward unscented and essential oil products, we offer all duross & langel products NAKED (unscented). our "essentials" line uses only pure, non-chemical, unadulterated essential oils to scent the products, and we offer a wide range of custom scented products for anyone who wishes to choose their favorite essential oils to custom scent our products.

steve