By 2024 , the clean beauty industry will be worth $22 million. Consumers are becoming more aware of their environment, social issues, and political responsibilities, which has led to an exponential growth in the industry. Clean beauty products are becoming more popular to reduce the negative effects of consumerism.
Nowadays, consumers aren’t bothered by fancy packaging. They want products that actually work. They want products that work.
Clean beauty is still unregulated. To avoid any inauthentic attempts by companies to greenwash, it is important to understand the movement.
What is clean beauty exactly? This is everything you need to know.
Clean Beauty:
Clean beauty simply means products that are free from ingredients that could cause harm to the human body.
The country or region will determine the list of banned ingredients. The 11 cosmetic ingredients that the FDA has banned or restricted are listed below. The European Union has also listed more than 2,400 cosmetically prohibited substances.
Consumers still need to be aware of toxic chemicals in cosmetics and skincare products due to lack of consensus or standardization.
Here are the top ingredients to avoid if you want clean beauty.
1. Phthalates
Phthalates are chemical compounds that are commonly found in soaps, shampoos, deodorants, nail polish, and shampoos. They can be used to lubricate products or increase the adhesion to fragrance to the skin.
Study results have shown that phthalates can cause endocrine disruption, and affect the function of certain organs.
2. Parabens
Parabens are chemicals that are used in cosmetics as preservatives. Parabens may mimic estrogen and possibly cause hormone-related disorders. However, evidence is mounting.
3. Sulfates
Sulfates can be used as surfactants to create foam in shampoos, body washes and cleansers.
Sulfates such as sodium lauryl and sodium laureth can cause skin irritations. To make them less irritating, sulfates like sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLES) can be harsh on the skin. This produces a by-product called 1,4-dioxane, which the FDA has classified as a potential carcinogen.
4. Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone can be found in sunscreens. It acts as a UV light filter, providing sun protection. Study after study has shown that oxybenzone can cause allergies and hormone disruption. Evidence suggests that oxybenzone can be harmful to corals, and other marine life.
5. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde can be used as a preservative in cosmetics and hair treatment products. Formaldehyde can be harmful because it is a well-known carcinogen.
6. Artificial Fragrances
Strong odors can be caused by chemicals and preservatives in cosmetics. To mask strong odors, most people will add synthetic or artificial fragrances. But, fragrances can have negative health effects or become air pollutants.
7. Triclosan
Triclosan, which is antibacterial, is used in cosmetics as a preservative. It can also be used in mouthwashes and hand-wash products as a sanitizer.
Researchers discovered that triclosan can affect one’s immune function. The chemical is an environmental danger because of its resistance to degradation.
Clean Beauty is Different
Clean beauty is still relatively new. It is possible for people to confuse clean beauty with other movements in the beauty industry such as organic beauty, vegan beauty and sustainable beauty.
These movements may be complementary but they have important differences.
Green Beauty vs Clean Beauty
Green beauty is often considered the precursor to clean beauty. In that it doesn’t contain harmful or toxic ingredients, green beauty is very similar to clean beauty.
Green beauty standards, however, are more rigorous. Because green beauty companies are more concerned with sustainability in sourcing and manufacturing, packaging, handling, and shipping their products,
Although many green beauty products are considered to be clean, not all of them can be classified as green products.
Organic Beauty vs Clean Beauty
Pure ingredients are used in organic beauty. This means that the ingredients were not produced with pesticides or other genetic modifications.
To receive the USDA Organic seal, products must contain at least 95% organically produced ingredients. Certification with the USDA is expensive, so not every company will pursue it.
This is important to consider, as many beauty products claim to be organic but don’t have the USDA seal.
Clean Beauty vs. Sustainable Beauty
Sustainability is the use of ethical methods in the sourcing, manufacture, and packaging. This movement ensures that beauty and skincare products are not harmful to the environment. This includes the use non-plastic, biodegradable and recycled materials.
Sustainability often goes hand in hand clean beauty and green beauty. They aren’t always sustainable. To cultivate clean, green ingredients like soybeans, you need a lot of land. This could lead to deforestation.
Clean Beauty vs. Cruelty Free
Cruelty-free refers to products that were not tested on animals in the development process. This could also signify that the products don’t use raw materials that were sourced at the expense or animals.
Although it is not required that clean beauty brands be cruelty-free or vegan, you will find that many of them don’t test on animals.
Clean Beauty vs Vegan Beauty
Vegan beauty products do not contain ingredients that are derived from animals or made as animal by-products.
Vegan beauty products are possible for some clean products. Many clean beauty brands use non-vegan ingredients like beeswax and lanolin.
Here are some important points to consider when looking after your beauty.
The move to clean beauty can result in more responsible and conscious consumption. There are several important things to keep in mind, since the movement is still young.
Some chemicals can be harmful. Water and oil can be chemicals. It might not be possible to completely avoid using chemicals in beauty products. Some chemicals might even be more durable in some cases.
Clean ingredients can create additional environmental problems, for example. Preservatives can also extend the shelf life of beauty products so that you don’t need to purchase them as often. In such cases, it may be beneficial to strike a balance between traditional and clean beauty products.
Clean beauty is still unregulated. We cannot determine if a company follows clean, sustainable, or green standards. Some brands may engage in greenwashing, and make use of the clean beauty trend to market their products. Consumers should be aware of any toxic chemicals in beauty products.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clean Beauty?
Hygienic beauty products should not contain synthetic chemicals that can pose a risk to human health. You should be aware of ingredients like parabens and sulfates, formaldehyde (oxybenzone), triclosan, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde, oxybenzone, sulfates, and sulfates.
What Makes Clean Beauty so Popular?
Sensitive skin is on the rise. It may be due to the use of synthetic chemicals as beauty products. This could have led to around 60% of women having sensitive skin and 50% for men. People are now looking for products that don’t irritate or harm their skin. Clean beauty is based on natural ingredients that can soothe and heal our skin.
Is Clean Beauty a Trend?
One of the fastest growing trends in beauty is clean beauty. This has had a major impact on consumers’ purchasing decisions and perspectives. Consumers are more aware of the dangers of certain chemicals. These consumers are conscious of the dangers associated with certain chemicals and make conscious choices to avoid these products.
Why Should You Switch to Clean Beauty Products?
Because you’re using safer, non-toxic products, clean beauty can be a benefit. People who have had negative experiences with traditional beauty products, such as dryness, irritation, or acne, might be interested in giving clean beauty a chance.
Start Your Clean Beauty Journey
You can now determine if it suits you by having a better understanding about clean beauty.
You don’t have to give up on products that aren’t necessary for clean beauty. It is possible to start your clean beauty journey by making a gradual transition. Start with products you use the most or with which your skin is most in contact — such as sunscreens, body lotions, and face creams.
You can then choose cleaner alternatives to traditional products if you feel the need. While there’s no way to know if clean beauty is better than other beauty movements, you can feel confident that your skin is not being exposed to toxic or harmful ingredients.
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