Palm oil monoculture is responsible for immense deforestation, carbon emissions from peat lands, fires, animal deaths and human rights abuses in Indonesia and Malaysia. However, as palm oil is a hidden ingredient in almost every way it is used, avoiding it can be difficult. Sunscreen, deodorant and candles are three common items used at this time of the year in Australia, and while most mainstream and some 'eco' versions of these products contain hidden palm oil in their ingredients, we are excited that safe, natural, high performing
palm oil free alternatives exist. So continue reading as we share our swaps that are free from hidden palm oil.
Find out more about palm oil and why Biome is committed to being a 100% palm oil free eco store here > 
Palm Oil Free Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a staple year round in Australia, and here at Biome we favour sunscreens with a physical UV filter that are free from palm oil, as well as silicones, parabens, PEGs, sulfates, GMOs, mineral oils, petroleum and and synthetics. An example of a physical UV filter is the ingredient zinc oxide, which provides fantastic physical protection from the sun. Zinc oxide works to form a physical barrier on the skin that reflects and scatters UV rays, unlike synthetic chemical UV filters which absorb into the skin and absorb UV rays. Common chemical UV filters include oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octinoxate, avobenzone, octisalate. These ingredients may cause irritation, redness, hyper-pigmentation, and in the case of oxybenzone, hormonal disruption and coral reef degradation. Along with chemical UV filters, you will also not find palm oil or palm derived ingredients in our sunscreens. Palm oil hides behind the name caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetostearyl alcohol, glycerin and glyceryl caprylate in many sunscreens on the market but there are some very high performing palm oil free alternatives available.
Wotnot sunscreen is an Australian made and owned sunscreen that provides SPF 30 broad spectrum protection against UV-A and UV-B rays. It features a gentle, easy to apply formula suitable for all ages (including babies). It is enriched with certified organic aloe vera, non-GMO vitamin E, and is free from palm oil, titanium dioxide and chemical UV absorbers.
Shop palm oil free sunscreen here > Along with wearing sunscreen, we recommend you seek shade, wear a hat, sunglasses and long clothing, and stay out of the sun when the UV is at its most extreme.
Palm Oil Free Deodorant
Deodorant is a necessity during the warm Australian summers, and here at Biome we love natural deodorants that are made from plants and minerals, and that are free from palm oil, aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly. Aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly work to temporarily plug the sweat ducts and prevent you from perspiring. It also, however, disrupts the natural flow of toxins. Aluminium chlorohydrate is a known irritant and has been linked to breast cancer and neurological disorders such as alzheimer's. Palm oil and palm derived ingredients are found in most mainstream deodorants as well as some natural ones. It hides behind the names tocopherol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerine and stearyl alcohol.
The don't need to contain aluminium and palm oil to be effective though! Black Chicken Remedies axilla deodorant paste is a favourite amongst our customers, with so many raving about it's effectiveness at keeping them feeling fresh and odour free, without harmful chemicals.
Black Chicken Remedies axilla deodorant paste works to neutralise odour and minimise wetness without the use of aluminium, alcohol or harmful chemicals. It contains only 100% natural ingredients, including natural oils and plant extracts that are in perfect balance to enhance your wellbeing both physically and spiritually. Black Chicken Remedies axilla deodorant paste is palm oil free, vegan, cruelty free and handmade with love in Australia. Natural deodorant is an incredibly personal choice though, and we stock a huge range of options in our sores and online.
Shop natural deodorant here >
Palm Oil Free Candles
Candles provide wonderful ambiance during the festive season and are often used to help people wind down and relax. Most candles are made from paraffin wax, a product of petroleum refining, but they can also be made from plant waxes such as soy and palm, or beeswax, among other things. Soy candles are widely available these days, but did you know only a very small percentage of all 'soy candles' are actually made from 100% soy? Soy candle wax is almost always a blend of waxes, including palm and paraffin, and they often contain other synthetic ingredients and fragrances. We outline the impact of palm oil above, and on
this page here. Soy crops on the other hand are a major cause of deforestation in South America, are often genetically modified, use a lot of pesticides, and soy requires intensive processing to produce the wax. Here at Biome we champion candles that are petrochemical free, soy free and palm free.
This
Dindi Naturals candle is very unique in that it is made from coconut, hemp and rice bran oil. It also features a hemp wick. This vegan Dindi Naturals candle contains no animal products, no petrochemicals, palm oil, or soybean oil, and no parabens, synthetics or harmful chemicals. It is the ideal choice for eco conscious vegans who also do not want to use any soy or palm oil.
Meanwhile these Queen B beeswax candles are made from pure Australian beeswax. They contain no toxic paraffin, no soy wax, no palm wax and no additives. Every Queen B candle is created by hand, rolled with just the right pressure and at just the right temperature to ensure a candle that will burn perfectly. Queen B beeswax candles are slow burning, purify the air, and have a very light honey aroma when burning. Everything at Biome is free from hidden palm oil. Biome is Approved by Palm Oil Investigations and a Certified B Corporation. You can read more about our palm oil free commitment
here >
