Following my last blog post, ' You'll approve of this Mum', here's the list of ingredients taken from the label of a jar of coconut body butter, 'with coconut oil', given to my daugher as a Christmas present.

Alongside each ingredient is a description from the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.

As well as several which raise real health concerns, I was amazed to find a large number associated with Animal Testing and Animal Cruelty. A contradiction to the manufacturers claim on the label; 'AGAINST ANIMAL TESTING'.

The smell of coconut is overpowering (even before you take the lid off). But as you'll see from the list, the fragrance isn't from coconut! (The official name for coconut oil is cocos nucifera.)

Aqua (Water)

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Skin conditioning agent. Can cause skin irritation. Suspected to be an environmental toxin.)

Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter.)

Glycerin (Humectant. Can be animal or vegetable-based.)

Theobroma cocao (Cocoa butter.)

Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier. Considered safe in cosmetics.)

PEG 100 Stearate (PEG stands for polyethylene glycol. Considered toxic. Skin irritant at very low doses. Tumour formation at moderate doses. Reproductive effects at high doses.) TESTED ON ANIMALS.

Cetearyl alcohol (Emulsifier. Considered safe in cosmetics.)

Lanolin Alcohol (From the oil glands of sheep. Used as an emollient and emulsifier. Human skin toxicant.) CONCERNS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

Parfum (Synthetic fragrance.) TESTED ON ANIMALS

Methylparaben (Paraben preservative. Strong evidence of being a human skin toxicant and hormone disruptor.) TESTED ON ANIMALS

Propylparaben (Paraben preservative. Strong evidence of being a human skin toxicant and hormone disruptor. Also evidence of wildlife and environment disruption.) TESTED ON ANIMALS

Xanthan gum (Thickener. Considered safe in cosmetics.)

Benzyl alcohol (Preservative. Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity.) TESTED ON ANIMALS. Disodium EDTA (Stabilizer. Evidence of neurotoxicity and as a hormone disruptor.) TESTED ON ANIMALS

Benzyl benzoate (Used to improve the stability and odour characteristics of fragrance. Possible human immune system toxicant. Associated with hormone disruption. Wildlife and environmental toxicity.) TESTED ON ANIMALS

Coumarin (Fragrance chemical, included in EU Banned and Restricted Fragrances list. Well-recognised as consumer allergen. Known human immune system toxicant. Cancer hazards suspected.) TESTED ON ANIMALS

Butylphenyl Propional (Fragrance chemical, included in EU Banned and Restricted Fragrances list. Persistent or bio accumulative and moderate to high toxicity concern in humans. Hormone disruptor.) TESTED ON ANIMALS

Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic soda. Skin irritant at very low doses. Organic system toxicity and neurotoxicity at very low doses.) TESTED ON ANIMALS

Caramel (Artificial colourant. Considered safe at limited use.)

If you have similar concerns about what's in the products you are using, leave a comment below. I'm sure you'll find Skin Deep Cosmetics Database a really useful tool. If you can't find what you're looking for, let me know and I'll always try to help.