Palm oil derived ingredients are hidden in all kinds of personal care products, even your toothpaste! That means that you may be unwittingly supporting the destructive and cruel palm oil industry simply by brushing your teeth. Even more frustrating, the palm oil derived ingredients are used for sweetening and foaming—two purposes that are completely unnecessary for oral health! Because palm oil is used to make hundreds of synthetic ingredients with sneaky names, it is almost impossible to identify, so we reveal here the ingredients to look out for in toothpaste. Plus, we have put together the best palm oil free toothpastes that are suitable for the whole family. Peace of mind that when you support these brands you are sending a message that palm oil is not acceptable.
The Problem with Palm oil
Palm oil monoculture is responsible for catastrophic deforestation and animal deaths, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia, and we believe that 99 percent 'sustainable palm oil' claims are unreliable. Even natural products that are certified Cruelty Free or Organic are not guaranteed to be free from palm oil as this is not a requirement of the certification. Biome believes that a product containing palm oil derived ingredients can not be truly cruelty free unless the palm oil can be traced right back to the plantation where it was grown. And, given the complex supply chain, this is impossible for the vast majority of brands, including natural brands using palm oil derived ingredients.
Why is Palm Oil in Toothpaste?
Palm oil is used to create synthetic ingredients that show up everywhere, from cleaning products, food, to your toothpaste. But, because palm oil is known by so many names, you may not even know you're using it. Take conventional toothpastes. Colgate ingredients: Sodium Fluoride 0.24% (0.14% w/v fluoride ion), Triclosan 0.30%. Water, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Sorbitol, PVM/MA Copolymer, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cellulose Gum, Flavor, Sodium Hydroxide, Carrageenan, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Saccharin, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, FD&C blue no.1, D&C yellow no.10. Macleans Milk Teeth Toothpaste ingredients: Glycerin, water, hydrated sillica, Xylitol, PEG-6, Xanthan Gum, sodium fluoride, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, disodium phosphate, Flavour, Titanium Dioxide, sodium saccharin, methylparaben, propylparaben, CI73360, CI74160. Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, are all commonly derived from palm oil because it is versatile and cheap for manufacturers. But why are these ingredients used? Glycerin sweetens and preserves, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate create foam, and Propylene Glycol is a wetting agent and surfactant (creates foam). Yet, these synthetic ingredients—most likely made from palm oil that is causing catastrophic deforestation and harm to orangutans, Sumatran tigers and other animals—serve no essential role for your oral health. "Foam" is perhaps the greatest culprit for palm oil use, and is what we have been conditioned to believe shows a product is cleaning!
Palm Oil Free Toothpastes
All of the toothpastes available at Biome are 100% free of palm oil and palm oil derivatives. Here are our best performing completely palm oil free natural toothpastes and tooth whiteners to help keep your teeth and our environment clean and healthy.
Grin Natural Toothpaste
Made in New Zealand, this natural toothpaste only uses locally sourced ingredients. Although each variety has different properties, all Grin toothpastes are not tested on animals, have a natural sweetness, and are fluoride, gluten and paraben free. Grin is also a sustainable company that supports the company, so it will be favourite in the family in no time. Comes in kids orange, cool mint, whitening and travel-size varieties. Buy Grin toothpastes >
Riddells Creek Organic Fluoride Free Toothpaste
This Australian Certified Organic toothpaste contains all the good stuff and no nasties. Completely vegan, sulphate free and fluroride free, it contains no colours, synthetics or artificial preservatives. This minty toothpaste also contains a range of ingredients that boost oral health including sodium bicarbonate, peppermint, parsley, rosemary, thyme and coconut extract.
Shop Riddells Creek toothpaste here >
Pure & Green Organics Teeth & Gum Toothpaste Concentrate
Buy Pure & Green Organics Toothpaste here >
Cedar + Stone Teeth Whiteners and Tonics
These palm oil free teeth powders can clean, whiten, remineralise and love your teeth all day long. Cedar + Stone is an Australian company, and these powders won't stain, can be used instead of or in conjunction with your regular toothpaste and are 100% plant based. We currently have two varieties to choose from: Cedar + Stone Teeth Whiteners This potent turmeric teeth whitening powder contains kaolin clay, turmeric and birch tree extract to decrease oral bacteria and remineralise teeth. They are naturally flavoured in either orange-mint or coconut-mint. Cedar + Stone Tooth Tonic This tasty tonic works to whiten, remineralise, prevent bacteria and fight gum disease with its sweet choc-orange flavour.
Shop Cedar + Stone teeth whiteners and tooth tonics here >
My Magic Mud Natural Teeth Whitening Powder
With just four natural ingredients, this powder does so much. It cleans, polishes, whitens and detoxifies your teeth; it is natural enough to eat, can reverse sensitivity, and safe for everyone (and your enamel!) to use. This flavourless powder is made with some amazing ingredients: activated coconut shell charcoal that gently cleanses and detoxifies; calcium bentonite clay that remineralises enamel and adsorbs toxins; mint extract and orange peel that are anti-inflammatory. The high pH levels in the powder also kill cavity causing bacteria and has been lab tested to ensure that it is safe for your enamel and will not cause sensitivity. Because this powder is black, we recommend using this as a toothpaste alternative at night as some charcoal "mud" may remain on your teeth (although this is perfectly safe). But no matter how you decide to use this powder, it is completely free of palm oil, synthetics, and is vegan, gluten free and safe for kids.
Shop My Magic Mud Tooth Whitening Powder here >
My Magic Mud Whitening Palm Oil Free Toothpaste
The awesome powder above also comes in toothpaste form! With 95% certified organic ingredients, this toothpaste loves your teeth with activated charcoal, coconut oil and bentonite clay. We recommend using this toothpaste in the morning and the powder at night to give a complete Magic Mud experience for your teeth. Better yet, there are three awesome natural flavours to choose from, including peppermint, wintergreen and cinnamon clove. Wintergreen is an excellent mild choice for kids.
Shop My Magic Mud whitening toothpastes here >
Noosa Basics Remineralising Toothpaste
Contains Bentonite Clay, Virgin Coconut Oil, Bi-Carb Soda, Activated Charcoal, Calcium Carbonate, Xylitol, and essential oils of Clove, Myrrh, Manuka, Peppermint and Spearmint. Shop Remineralising toothpaste here >
DIY Toothpaste With No Palm Oil!
For all of you who have a DIY-thumb and would like to make your own toothpaste, you can find our natural toothpaste recipe here >
Environmental Toothbrushes
An awesome natural toothpaste deserves an earth-friendly toothbrush. In Australia alone, 30 million plastic toothbrushes are disposed of every year and are completely unrecyclable. But with a simple swap to an environmental alternative, you're reducing your landfill waste and have a stylish wooden toothbrush instead!
Bamboo Toothbrush
Made of renewable bamboo timber that doesn't need pesticides, the biodegradable handle can be buried or composted at the end of its life. Available with regular bristles and charcoal infused bristles for a more thorough clean. These toothbrushes are available in adult soft and medium, and child varieties. Shop our Environmental Toothbrushes here >
Shop Palm Oil Free Natural Toothpastes at Biome
Brushing our teeth should get nasties out of our mouth, not put more in. And it certainly shouldn't contribute to deforestation and the death of wildlife. With these palm oil free, completely natural toothpastes and toothbrushes, not only are you ensuring your own health, but the continued health of the planet.
Shop our full range of palm oil free natural toothpastes here >
If you'd like to know which ingredients may be palm oil derived in your products, POI has an extensive list here >
