Clean beauty: what is it?

Environmentally sustainable beauty in the spotlight

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Courtesy of Shayna Douglas

Clean beauty is a term that refers to cosmetics, skincare and other products that are made with non-toxic, natural and non-harmful ingredients. The goal of clean beauty is to promote the use of products that are free from harmful chemicals and synthetic ingredients that can potentially cause harm to the skin. 

In recent years, the idea of this has gained its popularity and spotlight as more people are becoming aware of the dangers of so-called “normal” ingredients found in many beauty products. Clean beauty products on the other hand are usually derived from sources like fruits, plants and have no chemicals such as parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. 

One of the biggest benefits of using clean beauty products is that it promotes healthy skin by giving you natural nourishment and hydration to the skin while protecting the skin. Many products in this category contain antioxidants which protect the skin from damage. Additionally, most of these products are cruelty free and not tested on animals. Many brands that may be sitting in your makeup bag could be tested on animals. According to Cruelty-Free Kitty, 88% of top beauty brands fund animal testing. 

Another great benefit of clean beauty products is that most ingredients are biodegradable and are less likely to cause harm to the environment. 

When it’s time to start looking into these more environmentally friendly products, do your research and read labels of products to make sure they follow clean and safe protocols. The best things to look for are products that are certified organic, free from chemicals and cruelty free. 

One of the most popular clean beauty brands is Glossier. Just Clean Style, ranked many of Glossier’s most popular products on a scale of one to ten: one being the safest, ten being the most toxic. The products mentioned stayed in the range of one and two, which shows just how safe they really are. 

Glossier is manufactured in the United States, and according to the Glossier Supply Chain Transparency Disclaimer, the brand is very compliant with the “UK Modern Slavery Act 2015” and “California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010.” 

Remember, not all brands have all clean beauty products, so make sure to read ingredients and labels of products before you buy them. 

Another brand that is known for their high quality clean beauty is Ilia. Ilia is an all natural and organic brand as well having USDA-certified organic ingredients. They have sustainable and eco-friendly packaging, give back to one perfect For The Planet & One Tree Planted and are cruelty free/vegan friendly. According to The Good Trade, this brand makes formulas from scratch to make them the cleanest they can be. They are very dedicated to sustainability and ethics. 

Although there are many resources to find clean beauty products, many well known brands use ingredients that are toxic for your skin. Lead, parabens, and many other toxic ingredients have been found in lipsticks from brands such as Maybelline, L’Oreal, NARS, Covergirl and more. 

When looking for clean products, make sure they don’t have BHA and BHT, fragrance, coal tar dyes, petroleum, parabens, siloxanes and other toxins that can affect your skin. . 

There are also many skincare brands that test on animals. According to PETA, Dr. Jart, Keihl’s and Laneige are just some of many that aren’t cruelty free. 

Check your products and make sure there are no toxins and are cruelty free and organic. Clean beauty isn’t just a popular trend, it’s a healthy way of living.