What Is Clean Beauty? [Infographic]

Clean beauty doesn’t just refer to beauty products that wash, scrub and exfoliate your body; the term also encompasses everyday items that are free from harmful or toxic ingredients. Though there isn’t a set definition of clean beauty, there are still ways to incorporate natural ingredients into your beauty routine.

Why Clean Beauty Matters

Perhaps you have a collection of “holy grail” creams and foundations in your makeup bag that work just right for your skin — but you may have noticed that your drain keeps getting clogged or seemingly random health issues are starting to arise. These occurrences could be connected.

Many beauty products may appear safe but are actually loaded with toxic substances. Because of the harmful ingredients used in so many beauty goods, it can be difficult to find one that works on your complexion while maintaining a level of environmental friendliness.

If a toxic ingredient is absorbed by the bloodstream, it could cause hormone disturbances or disease. Some ingredients — such as parabens, phthalates, triclosan and siloxanes — are known to disrupt reproductive functions and cause neurotoxicity. These ingredients could also cause irritation, rashes or a stripping of the skin. Some materials, such as silicone, can’t be absorbed by the body. However, when they’re rinsed down the drain, they enter waterways and eventually get consumed down the line.

You shouldn’t have to compromise in order to take care of your body and the environment. That is why clean beauty is so important — but what exactly is a clean beauty product?

What Qualifies as Clean Beauty?

The U.S. is somewhat notorious for allowing almost any ingredient in just about every common product on the store shelf. The FDA has only banned 11 additives since 1938. Meanwhile, the E.U. has banned more than 1,300 substances.

Although brands are now turning an eye to environmentally and physically conscious makeup and beauty products, there is still little regulation for what can be considered “clean.” Many brands and companies use the word in a sense that means free from ingredients that are considered unsafe, such as parabens, sulfates and phthalates. Unfortunately, marketing teams rely on other buzzwords to sell their merchandise.

Here’s a breakdown of common phrases in the “clean beauty” world and what they mean:

• All-natural: This term often implies that the product is sourced from nature, even though it might be modified in the labs. Look for the Ecocert Natural Cosmetic stamp, which means that at least half of the ingredients are plant-based.

• Organic: This means the formula was produced without pesticides. It is one of the only government-regulated terms. USDA-Certified Organic products contain at least 95% organic formulas, while NSF Organic-Certified products contain at least 70%.

• Nontoxic: When a product is labeled “nontoxic,” it means it is safe for humans. However, you can’t always trust this term because it is quite vague. Even if a product contains one harmful ingredient, brands often use “nontoxic” as a blanket term.

• Vegan: This implies that there is no animal-derived byproduct, and products often show “proof” through a self-made emblem or company-specific term. Although a beauty product may contain vegan ingredients such as beeswax, honey and tallow, it could also contain chemicals.

• Cruelty-free: This suggests that animals have not been tested when developing the product. It also means that animal-derived ingredients were not taken at the animal’s expense, such as fur for makeup brushes. Packaging often includes an indication of being cruelty-free.

• Fair trade: This term means the product was made by workers who receive fair compensation. Fairtrade International, Fair Trade USA and Fair for Life often put their emblem on a label as certification for fair standards.

Making cleaner choices in your everyday beauty routine can take some trial and error, especially with such lax regulations on what’s considered “clean.” However, with so many consumers putting pressure on their favorite brands, companies are starting to adapt. Learn more about clean beauty with our resources.

What Is Clean Beauty? from NF Skin