When shopping for skincare and beauty products, you’ll undoubtedly see the word “clean” plastered across the packaging. But what does “clean” mean in this context? As savvy shoppers, we know beauty brands love to use baseless buzzwords, and it helps to be able to spot them while shopping.
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We don’t blame you if you’re wondering if so-called clean beauty products are truly any different than their regular counterparts. We’re sure you’re wondering: is this legit or just another marketing ploy? It’s complicated, but we’re here to clear things up.
What Is Clean Beauty? The Bottom Line
When used properly, beauty products marketed as “clean” oppose the use of all known toxic chemicals and ingredients that are harmful to yourself and the planet, opting instead for products that work synergistically with the needs of your skin and the earth. Products that earn themselves a “clean” label should check the following boxes.
Free of Harmful Chemicals — You already know that beauty brands often use not-so-clean ingredients to make their products look, smell, and perform a certain way. For example, products labeled “water-resistant” or “waterproof” are often made with a class of harmful chemicals known as PFAs (more info on that below).
Here are some more ingredients that you should avoid when you’re on the hunt for clean skincare products as well as makeup and hair care.
❌PFAs — One particularly dirty group of additives known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (aka PFAs) are rampant in cosmetics. These potentially harmful compounds don’t naturally break down and accumulate in the environment and body. Even more concerning is the fact that they’ve been linked to health problems, including cancer and hormone disruption.
❌BHA and BHT — Look out for the chemicals butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which are synthetic antioxidants often found in eyeshadow and lipstick. These chemicals have been linked to serious health concerns, including cancer. Note: Butylated hydroxyanisole is not to be confused with beta hydroxy acid, an eco-friendly chemical exfoliator that shares the same acronym.
❌Parabens — Parabens are used as a preservative and fragrance agent in many cosmetics, but they have a downside. The biggest concern with them is that they’ve been linked with cancer and hormone dysfunction. Unfortunately, due to trade regulations, you won’t find “parabens” on the ingredients list of your favorite products. But many manufacturers include “paraben-free” in their marketing if they’re committed to keeping them out.
❌Triclosan — Triclosan is another cosmetic preservative used to keep bacteria and fungi from spoiling your products. It’s often found in soaps, body washes, deodorants, and even some toothpastes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that high doses of triclosan are associated with a decrease in thyroid hormones.
❌Fragrances — If you see the word “parfum” or “fragrance” on your cosmetic label, that’s probably because it contains one of several thousand irritating chemicals that makes the product smell a certain way. While we still don’t know the full long-term or environmental impacts of these chemicals, we know that many are irritants and can exacerbate and even contribute to the development of asthma, among other health concerns.
Note that the above list is by no means comprehensive. There are many potentially harmful chemicals lurking in your beauty drawer, not to mention sneaky relabeling tactics that mask the more obvious ones. Be sure to research harmful cosmetic ingredients before restocking your stash with clean haircare products, makeup, and skincare.
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Free of Animal-Derived Ingredients — In addition to nasty chemicals, many cosmetics brands use animal derivatives to make their products. Though some clean beauty companies don’t consider animal-derived products related to whether a product is “clean,” we see a clear connection because of the negative impact these products have on animals as well as the planet. The reality is that animal agriculture puts a massive strain on the environment, accounting for up to 80 percent of total agricultural emissions and up to five percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.
Beauty brands use animal-derived products such as beeswax, collagen derived from the connective tissue of dead animals, gelatin derived from boiled ligaments, and many more sneaky additives. Though not technically related to the definition of clean beauty, we think harming animals for the sake of looking good is, well, pretty dirty. Steer clear and opt for vegan beauty products instead.
Produced with Eco-Conscious Practices — The ingredients used in your products aren’t the only thing dirtying up the planet. The practices used in production, packaging, and transportation may also be to blame. When these practices are inefficient, they contribute big-time to carbon emissions, air pollution and water pollution, and suck up non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels.
Look for products made in solar-powered facilities and those with more environmentally conscious packaging (such as paper or cardboard rather than plastic). Low- and zero-waste packaging are also becoming popular plastic alternatives.
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Are Your Products Clean?
This all sounds great, but here’s the thing — just because a brand labels their products “clean” doesn’t mean they are actually clean. This is where your well-honed b.s. meter comes into play.
One key to determining if your products are clean or not is to identify what ingredients and processes their makers use during production. As a good rule of thumb, if your product doesn’t list out ingredients, it probably has additives that don’t pass the clean check.
If you’re on a clean beauty crusade, there are a couple of other red flags to look out for when shopping. Where possible, look for products that use certified organic ingredients (either USDA certified or NSF certified) to help ensure that your plant-based products weren’t grown with chemicals that could wind up polluting our air, soil, or water.
Other third-party certifications that indicate eco-friendliness and cruelty-free practices include Leaping Bunny, Beauty without Bunnies, ECOCERT, FSC, B Corporation, and Rainforest Alliance.
Ultimately, researching the brand and ingredients is the best way to determine if a product is clean or if it’s all just smoke and mirrors. Being conscientious of what you buy and cutting back on the impulse purchases will help ensure that you remain a savvy, eco-friendly beauty consumer.
