There’s a lot of hype and noise in the beauty industry these days, so we’re here to cut through the bullshit to explain everything you need to know about clean beauty.
Clean beauty has exploded in popularity in the last several years, especially with its rise on social media. Some of the brands are great and some are really bad and there’s nothing you can do about that unless you know what you’re buying.
Before buying cosmetics, look at the ingredients listed on the label. Do you see any words or phrases that seem like they don’t belong together? If you’re buying clean beauty products, you might be able to spot some questionable ingredients lurking in your cosmetics’ ingredient lists.
A Guide To Clean Beauty
Clean beauty is a term used to describe a new category of skin care products that is less about masking the skin’s imperfections and more about removing the blockages that prevent the skin from achieving its optimum level of hydration and nutrition.
If you’re looking for a guide to clean beauty, look no further! I’m going to walk you through the process of cleaning up your skin, hair, and body. You’ll learn the basic principles behind what works, and what doesn’t, and how you can make your beauty routine as effective and efficient as possible.
What Is Clean Beauty?
What Is Clean Beauty? Clean beauty is beauty that works, without any unnecessary chemicals or harsh ingredients. It can be clean, but also natural and healthy, with all-natural ingredients.
Clean Beauty, a relatively new concept in the beauty industry, has gained popularity. It is defined as a process that makes products naturally clean and clear by eliminating harsh chemicals, petroleum products, and other toxins from our skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a clean beauty approach will protect your skin and allow it to look healthy and glow.
Clean Beauty Products Are A Growing Trend In The Beauty Industry. Why?
Because these products are natural, organic, and clean. As the popularity of natural, organic, and clean beauty continues to grow, it’s important to understand the difference between these two trends. If you’re not sure whether your brand is selling clean beauty products, you might want to read this article. It explains everything you need to know about this trend. I encourage you to read more about this blog here: How Tog Uses Beauty Certifications
Common Terms Used For Clean Beauty And What They Mean:
In this post, we’re going to answer the common terms used for clean beauty and what they actually mean.
Organic:
The term “organic” isn’t used just for food anymore, so it’s not too surprising to see its use in the beauty industry. It’s the term used to describe skincare products that are free of synthetic chemicals and that contain no ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The beauty industry is slowly moving away from the use of synthetic chemicals, which are linked to hormone disruption and the development of cancer.
Non-GMO:
While non-GMO doesn’t necessarily mean healthier or better for you, it does mean that there will be no GMO ingredients, according to the non-GMO Project. However, this certification alone does not guarantee that the products will be free of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals used during production.
Non-Toxic:
“Non-toxic” is used by the cosmetics industry to mean that the product does not contain any of the 17 chemicals that are known to cause cancer or reproductive damage, including lead, formaldehyde, phthalates, formaldehyde releasers, phenols, and mercury.
Chemical-Free:
Chemicals used in the manufacturing process of cosmetics are often harsh and potentially harmful to the skin, as they can irritate and dry out the delicate surface of our skin. A chemical-free cosmetic is made without chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and talc. It is free of toxic ingredients, but there are no guarantees that it is safe for all skin types, especially sensitive skin types.
Vegan:
The term “vegan” means veganism is the lifestyle of consuming nothing but plant-based products. The term “cruelty-free” means the products have not been tested on animals and have been deemed safe for the environment.
Cruelty-Free:
There’s a big difference between products that are truly natural and those that use natural ingredients, but still, employ questionable methods and substances that harm animals or the environment. So what exactly does “cruelty free” mean?
According to the National Humane Association, “cruelty-free” means that no animals were harmed or exploited in the manufacturing of any product, whether it be food, clothing, toys, or beauty products.
This means that no animals were harmed during harvesting, farming, tanning, dyeing, or testing. The NHA also says that companies must pledge not to test cosmetics or skin care products on animals or test chemicals and ingredients on animals.
Sustainable:
A “clean beauty” label indicates that a product was made without using any synthetic ingredients, petroleum-based products, genetically modified organisms, or animal products. This is a sustainable label. Sustainable cosmetics can be found in a range of forms and products, including shampoo, conditioner, and skin creams.
Eco-friendly:
Most people think of eco-friendly when they think about beauty. But what does it really mean? What’s eco-friendly? How should you determine whether something is eco-friendly or not? Is there a difference between organic beauty products and eco-friendly beauty products? Does eco-friendly mean certified by an eco-certification? If so, what is an eco-certification? If not, what else should you look for in order to determine if a product is eco-friendly or not?
Zero-Waste:
In the clean beauty industry, zero-waste means, that the product does not create waste. This can be a huge benefit for the environment. For example, there are many harmful chemicals found in personal care products that can cause skin and environmental damage. Products that are for zero-waste don’t contain harmful chemicals, so consumers can be assured they are safe.
Biodegradable:
This word means to be fully degradable into harmless materials through natural processes. For example, cornstarch is degradable, but it won’t break down very quickly if it isn’t exposed to air. Some materials may require additional processing before being fully degradable. If the material cannot be biodegraded, it may still be considered biobased.
Plant-based:
The keywords in clean beauty are natural, organic, and green. They’re all terms that mean basically the same thing. To start, clean beauty products are made without chemicals that harm our skin, the environment, or our bodies. Products are made from ingredients like plants, essential oils, and minerals that are safe for us to use.
Natural or organic products are not only safer for us, but they’re also better for our planet because they don’t use petrochemicals. Finally, “green” products are environmentally friendly and more sustainable.
Common Toxic Ingredients To Avoid In Cosmetics:
There’s no need to spend a lot of money on cosmetics and beauty products. As long as you can afford it, it’s always a good idea to try to look after your skin well. You might think that when you go to a store to buy your cosmetics, you are getting high-quality products at affordable prices.
But not all products are created equal, and some of them are far too expensive for your budget. You may end up buying a product that’s full of harmful ingredients that could potentially damage your skin, even if you use the recommended dosage. Even if you are careful about what you put on your skin, you might still get a reaction to certain products, which can leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Luckily, the internet is full of information on the dangers of certain cosmetic ingredients. This article gives you a list of ingredients you need to avoid when you shop online for your makeup. Read about the common cosmetic ingredients that you should never put on your skin.
Parabens:
According to research conducted by the FDA, some widely used parabens—used in cosmetics, food, and personal care products—are known to increase cancer risk. Parabens are commonly used in personal care products for a few reasons:
- They are cheap.
- They are used in large quantities, so they’re less likely to cause toxicity.
- They are considered safe by the FDA, so companies don’t need to conduct any toxicological studies.
- There’s no consensus on which of the several different parabens are more dangerous.
Phthalates:
What you are looking for is a product with no Phthalates. These are dangerous chemicals that leach from plastic and vinyl into the liquid ingredients. This could cause cancer and reproductive issues. The best way to find this information is to look for the ingredient “phthalate”. Look for any products that contain phthalates and if they are listed as “inactive”, then you are good to go.
Artificial Fragrance:
I know what you’re thinking. It’s not easy to live without the smell of perfume or cologne but the fact of the matter is that you can’t always wear what you love. For instance, if you’re allergic to perfume, you’ll have to switch to a different fragrance. Also, if you’re a female with a delicate nose, you might be sensitive to the chemicals in perfume.
Formaldehyde:
You probably know the feeling: that annoying itching sensation after you’ve applied makeup to your face. It’s caused by formaldehyde, a common ingredient in most cosmetics and personal care products. Formaldehyde is used as a preservative in many beauty products including lipstick, mascara, nail polish, and more. It also serves as a fragrance in some skincare and hair care products.
Petrolatum:
“Pigment, in the form of white wax, is used to increase the brightness and opacity of cosmetic products.”
Bullet points: “The downside of using pigments is that they are often made from petroleum-based oils, which can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.”
Ethanolamines:
Ethanolamines are used as plasticizers in personal care products. Some studies suggest that they may cause asthma, allergies, hyperactivity in children, and some organ system toxicity. They are also an irritant.
As one of the main ingredients in our cosmetics, Ethanolamines are often misunderstood. Ethanolamines can be found in both organic and non-organic products. Although some consumers think ethanolamines are harmful to our skin and body, they are actually one of the safest ingredients used in cosmetics today.
What About Ethically And Sustainably Sourcing Ingredients?
For years, organic ingredients were mostly reserved for fancy restaurants, high-end grocery stores, and foodies looking for something extra special. But these days, more consumers are willing to pay more money for foods that are produced and harvested without harming our environment or exploiting underpaid workers in developing countries.
As a result, organic farming is becoming more mainstream, especially among food startups. In this article, we’ll go over the top 10 reasons why companies are beginning to move away from conventional farming and toward sustainable organic practices.
What To Look For From Clean Beauty Brands Before Buying:
Clean beauty brands like to talk about how they care for our planet and promote the environment. Many are actually doing good in their communities but many companies still use deceptive marketing tactics. Check out the following links for some information:
- Companies that are using their social media sites as a tool to sell you more products.
- How companies are not disclosing what ingredients are in their beauty products
- Companies that are selling you products that aren’t approved by the FDA.
- Companies that are using your personal data to market to you.
- Companies that are using influencers to market to you.
- Companies that are using social media sites to manipulate you into buying their products.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I encourage everyone to go beyond just skimming through this article, and instead read the whole thing. After all, you don’t need to read the whole article to find a handful of key takeaways. If you want to get inspired, you’ll be able to get a lot more from it. You’ll notice a huge gap between the “What is clean beauty” and the “What to look for before buying it”. This gap is where I recommend you stop and read at least the first two paragraphs of the “What is clean beauty” section. These are some of the main points you need to know before you buy any clean beauty products.
Learn More About What Is Clean Beauty & What To Look For Before Buying It From BeautyBeaster