What makes Mayka Skincare different from other natural skincare brands?

Mayka Skincare products are handcrafted fresh in small batches in Preston, Lancashire, using truly natural botanicals and active cosmetic ingredients. Every product is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged in eco-friendly materials. We have been making natural skincare in the UK since 2015.

Are Mayka Skincare products suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes. Our formulations are designed to be gentle yet effective. We use ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, squalane, and calendula that are clinically proven to support the skin barrier. We avoid harsh chemicals, SLS, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.

Does Mayka Skincare offer free UK delivery?

Yes, we offer free standard UK delivery on all orders over £30. Orders are typically dispatched within 1-2 business days from our workshop in Preston, Lancashire.

What are the key ingredients in Mayka Skincare products?

Our products feature scientifically proven active ingredients including Vitamin C, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3 ), Coenzyme Q10, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Bakuchiol, Ceramides, and a range of cold-pressed plant oils and botanical extracts.

Is Mayka Skincare vegan and cruelty-free?

Absolutely. All Mayka Skincare products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. We never test on animals and we do not use any animal-derived ingredients.

Where is Mayka Skincare based?

Mayka Skincare is based in Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom. Our workshop and shop are at 234 Marsh Lane, Preston, PR1 8RT. We are a registered UK company (Mayka Skincare Limited, Company No. 11160981) and a registered UK trade mark holder.

Why We Don't Use Parabens or Sulphates

Jul 13

3 min read

Updated: Jul 15

When you pick up a bottle of shampoo or a jar of moisturiser, you probably scan the label for familiar words. But what about the unfamiliar ones? Parabens and sulphates are two of the most common synthetic chemicals found in mainstream cosmetics, and they are also two of the most debated. At Mayka Skincare, we made a deliberate decision from day one to formulate without them. Here is why.

What Are Parabens?

Parabens are a family of synthetic preservatives used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products to prevent the growth of bacteria, mould, and yeast. You will find them listed on ingredient labels as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and isobutylparaben.

They are cheap, effective, and have been used in cosmetics since the 1950s. So why the concern?

The Science Behind the Concern

The issue with parabens is that they are known endocrine disruptors. This means they can mimic oestrogen in the body by binding to oestrogen receptors. A landmark 2004 study by Dr Philippa Darbre at the University of Reading detected parabens in human breast tissue samples, which sparked widespread public concern. While the scientific consensus has not established a definitive causal link between parabens and cancer, the precautionary principle applies: if a safer alternative exists, why use a potentially problematic ingredient?

The European Union has already restricted or banned several parabens (including isopropylparaben and isobutylparaben) in cosmetics. The UK follows similar standards post-Brexit. This regulatory direction tells us something important: the scientific and regulatory community takes these concerns seriously.

What Are Sulphates?

Sulphates (also spelled sulfates) are surfactants — cleansing agents that create the rich lather we associate with shampoos, shower gels, and face washes. The most common are Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES).

They are excellent at removing dirt, oil, and product build-up. The problem is that they are often too good at their job.

Why Sulphates Are Problematic

Sulphates strip the skin and scalp of their natural oils, disrupting the delicate moisture barrier. For people with sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, or a dry scalp, this stripping effect can trigger flare-ups, irritation, and inflammation. Research published in the Journal of the American College of Toxicology found that SLS can cause skin irritation even at low concentrations with repeated use.

For hair, sulphates remove the natural sebum that keeps strands moisturised, leading to dryness, frizz, and colour fade for those with dyed hair. This is why sulphate-free shampoos have become the gold standard for anyone with curly, coloured, or chemically treated hair.

What We Use Instead

Removing parabens and sulphates from a formulation is not simply a matter of leaving them out. You still need products that are safe from microbial contamination and that cleanse effectively. At Mayka Skincare, we solve this with a combination of approaches:

Natural Preservation

We use a combination of natural preservatives including rosemary extract, vitamin E (tocopherol), and carefully balanced pH levels to keep our products safe and stable without synthetic parabens. Our small-batch production model also means our products are fresher than mass-market alternatives, reducing the need for heavy preservation.

Gentle Plant-Based Cleansers

In our soaps and hair care products, we use saponified plant oils (the traditional cold-process soap method) and gentle surfactants derived from coconut and sugar cane. These clean effectively without stripping the skin or scalp of its natural protective oils.

Reading the Label: What to Look For

When shopping for skincare and haircare, here is a quick reference guide for what to avoid and what to look for instead:

Avoid: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), ammonium lauryl sulphate (ALS).

Look for: tocopherol (vitamin E), rosemary extract, sodium levulinate, sodium anisate, coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside, sodium cocoyl isethionate.

Our Promise to You

Every Mayka Skincare product is formulated without parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrances, mineral oils, or artificial colours. We are committed to full ingredient transparency — you can find the complete INCI ingredient list on every product page. We believe you have the right to know exactly what you are putting on your skin.

Our formulations are registered with the UK Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP), meaning every product has been assessed by a qualified cosmetic safety assessor before it reaches you. This is not just a marketing claim — it is a legal requirement we take seriously.