TRANSPARENCY

Parabens are preservatives used to keep health and beauty products fresh by preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. These compounds are amongst the most commonly used cosmetic preservatives in the world and have a long history of safe use. They have been extensively studied and determined to be safe for usage in personal care products by expert scientific panels and governmental regulatory agencies. None of the extensive research carried out on parabens has indicated a potential risk of harm to human health and parabens remain amongst the safest of preservatives in today’s cosmetic products. 

Parabens are also naturally occurring in many foods that we enjoy as part of a healthy lifestyle. These include cucumbers, carrots, onions, blueberries and cherries.

Short story: Our cleansers, masks, toners, and scrubs are paraben-free. Our pore strips do contain the minimal amount of methylparaben required to function as a preservative, which is a safe paraben for cosmetic use.

Methylparabens are the most common preservative used in food and cosmetics. In the United States, methylparaben and propylparaben are recognized as safe by the FDA.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal organization responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, etc.

Other independent groups, the American Cancer Society, the FDA, and Cancer Research Centers, have looked for many different causes for cancer but have never found any evidence of risk from parabens.

Sulfates are surfactants that provide the key cleansing mechanism to lift away dirt & oil. They are the ingredient that creates the foamy lather you get when you brush your teeth or wash your hair or face. In rare cases, certain sulfates can irritate some skin types, which is why you might have heard or read about an increase in sulfate-free products.

Short story: Yes, but only Sodium Laureth Sulfates (abbreviated as SLES), which are gentler on the skin than other types of sulfates. When we do use sulfates, we only use them in products that you rinse off; therefore, the risk of irritation is very low.

Sulfates trap dirt and oils from the skin so that they can be rinsed away with water. Contrary to some Internet rumors, sulfates are proven to be safe and effective. While many Bioré® cleansers are made with a non-sulfate cleansing technology, SPT (Skin Purifying Technology), we do still incorporate some sulfate agents, so if you are sensitive to sulfates, always check our label for “sodium laureth sulfate” (abbreviated as SLES).

Salicylic Acid is a commonly used and FDA approved ingredient in over-the-counter acne products. It is a multi-functional ingredient that works to treat and help prevent breakouts while also boosting the release of dead skin cells helping to prevent clogged pores. Used at lower levels, it can act as a preservative to keep cosmetic products safe.

Short story: Yes, mainly in our products that help treat acne.

Salicylic Acid is a USFDA-approved Acne Active Agent, which means there is extensive proof of its safety and effectiveness. It's oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate past your skin’s sebum to get really deep into your pores. Bonus: it won’t stain or bleach your washcloths or bedsheets. You can find it in our acne’s outta here!® line of products (just look for the orange bar on our packaging!)

Fragrances add that sensory smell element that gives you the full Biore® experience. However, if you know your skin is sensitive to fragrance, it's a good idea to check our product labels.

Short story: Yes, only the best! Anyone order an instant mood booster? Yes, please!

Every fragrance material we use is held to the same stringent standards as all other Kao ingredients to ensure a safe experience for our consumers. We collaborate with some of the top perfume houses in the world to identify and create safe, high-quality scents. Click here to learn more.

Alcohol is a universal, commonly used solvent ingredient that tones, cleanses, and disinfects skin. It also helps formulas mix together consistently.

Short story: Yes, in some of our products, such as our Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Toner.

Alcohol is a key cleansing ingredient used to break down skin residue like oils/sebum, as well as makeup and cleanser residue. Alcohol also provides astringency to tone the skin. When used properly in formulations like ours, alcohol is safe and effective.

Microbeads are an exfoliant found in many rinse-off cosmetics. Their use in toothpaste and skincare products has raised some environmental concerns if the microbeads contain plastic.

Short story: No, Bioré® products do not contain any plastic microbeads. We use natural exfoliating alternatives, such as jojoba beads.

For years, none of our products have contained plastic microbeads. Our Formulation Scientists purposefully design our formulas to avoid these materials while still providing the benefits and experience you expect.

As part of our commitment to sustainability, we are always looking for ways to improve our products to protect the environment.