Our mouth is the gateway organ to our body with a high absorption rate of any substance. OJOOK products are free of dubious and outdated chemicals, fillers, masking flavors, and sweeteners. We make clean products for clean mouths.
Here's our comprehensive example of how we approach “Elimination of the Unnecessary” for OJOOK.
1. Fluoride
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
3. Carrageenan
4. PEGs and related Petroleum-based thickeners
5. Preservatives
6. Triclosan
7. Phthalates
8. Colorings (both natural and synthetic dyes)
9. Sugar Substitutes (Saccharine, Stevia, Sorbitol)
10. Hydrogen Peroxide
11. Flavors and fragrance (both natural and synthetic)
1. FLUORIDE
There’s a non-toxic and more effective flouride alternative out there: nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA). Even though the beneficial effects of fluoride on dental health are well-established, fluoride is a commonly debated element, with concerns about ingestion safety. High concentrations or prolonged exposure to fluoride in our body can cause minor to detrimental health problems like nausea, vomiting, dental and skeletal fluorosis, and kidney failure. In addition to naturally or artificially fluoridated water, we take in fluoride in a number of dental products, which can cause body burden over time.
2. SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS)
SLS is a surfactant and detergent agent that is added to personal care products. Due to its foaming effect, SLS creates the impression that it has more cleansing properties than it actually does. Dental products without SLS are as effective as products with SLS without any side effects of SLS. SLS is a known skin irritant, also a strong denaturing substance that disrupts cell activity and a leading cause of canker sores and mouth ulcers. Conventional brands still use SLS for its foaming abilities and low cost.
3. CARRAGEENAN
Carrageenan is a thickening and emulsifying agent from edible red seaweeds. It’s just another thickener that is not necessary. Since the late 1960s, there’s been controversy surrounding the health effects of carrageenan. Products with carrageenan may be labeled as “natural,” but limited studies presented evidence that carrageenan is highly inflammatory to the digestive tract. Increased inflammation can lead to a greater likelihood of other diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, tendonitis, chronic cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation.
4. PEGS AND RELATED PETROLEUM-BASED THICKENERS
PEGs (polyethylene glycols) are petroleum-based compounds that are widely used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. They are even found in antifreeze and paint.
Depending on manufacturing processes, PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of possible human carcinogens such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and the California Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a developmental toxicant based on evidence that it may interfere with human development. While carcinogenic contaminants are the primary concern, if used on broken skin PEG compounds can cause irritation and systemic toxicity. Using PEG compounds in oral care products that act on high absorbing and easy to be damaged mouth tissues can be very dangerous.
5. PRESERVATIVES
Our product innovation and formulation strategy eliminated the need for preservatives. Our products use an extremely low amount of water, and bacteria and fungus cannot live in such an environment. Here’s a list of a few preservatives commonly found in oral care products.
5.1 PARABENS
Parabens have been linked to disturbing hormone systems for both females and males and causing strain on the body and the environment over time. It can affect reproductive development, fertility, and birth outcomes. In animal studies, it affected male reproduction by decreasing sperm production and lowering testosterone levels. Conducted studies have also raised concerns that these preservatives may play a role in accelerating the growth of breast cancer cells.
5-2. PHENOXYETHANOL
Phenoxyethanol is not as effective as parabens and likely used in higher amount in formulation up to 1%. It is known to cause allergic-type reactions like skin irritation, rashes, eczema, and hives.
5-3. OTHERS (SODIUM BENZOATE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE)
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There are some possible risks of sodium benzoate, which includes allergic reactions such as itching and swelling and inflammation promoting cancer development.
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Personal hair-care and skin products containing potassium sorbate are known to cause skin and eye irritation. These reactions include a burning or itching rash appearing within minutes to one hour after exposure.
6. TRICLOSAN
Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent present in many consumer products. Triclosan was banned in soap products by the FDA in 2016, but is still available in other household products such as toothpastes and mouthwash. Triclosan has been linked to liver problems and inhalation toxicity, and can potentially impact thyroid function. Triclosan is difficult to remove in wastewater treatment and ends up in our aquatic and terrestrial environments.
7. PHTHALATES
Our products are free of plastics from products to packaging, not only for the environment but to avoid phthalates. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to causing problems in the reproductive and hormone systems in men and children. Any product made with plastic or contained in plastic has varying degrees of phthalates. Studies reveal that phthalates reduce the average sperm count in men, in addition to being linked to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, low IQ, and autism disorders.
8. COLORINGS (BOTH NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC DYES)
TopThey’re simply unnecessary. Dyes and colorings are added to make products more attractive, and offer no additional cleaning power in oral care products. In general, dyes are potentially linked to allergies, itching, and headaches.
9. SUGAR SUBSTITUTES (SACCHARINE, STEVIA, SORBITOL)
Sweeteners such as saccharin, stevia, and sorbitol are added to sweeten toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss and they are simply unnecessary. We believe that the potential negative effects exceed the sensorial benefits. For example, saccharin was banned in 1981 because it produced bladder cancer in rats and was possibly linked to carcinogenesis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cited possible negative effects of stevia on the reproductive, renal, and cardiovascular system. And when sorbitol is digested in high amounts, it can cause diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, pain, and irritable bowel syndrome.
10. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
Hydrogen peroxide degrades the tooth surface during the whitening process. It can alter the enamel surface which has a detrimental effect on tooth structure. The two most observed effects of hydrogen peroxide are over-sensitivity to temperature changes and irritation of the inside of the mouth. Our formula with nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) brightens the teeth from within without sensitivity, while restoring enamel.
11. FLAVORS AND FRAGRANCE (BOTH NATURAL
Both natural and synthetic flavors or fragrances such as essential oils, natural fragrances, benzyl alcohol, phthalates are added to enhance a particular flavor or smell in toothpastes, mouthwash, and dental floss. Similar to sweeteners, these are simply unnecessary and the potential negative effects exceed sensorial benefits. For example, benzyl alcohol is used as a synthetic flavoring agent, but can instigate responses that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of the skin. Synthetic fragrances can also include phthalates, which are known to be endocrine disruptors. (See above under Phthalates).
