What is clean beauty?

What is clean beauty?

            For the past couple of years, a trend in skincare has been growing. The demand for cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, vegan, organically and ethically sourced products has been on the rise. Companies are now making it a selling point to point out that their clean beauty products are not only effect but good for the environment too.

Clean beauty products are products made without ingredients known to be harmful to humans. Some examples of clean beauty products are:

If you’re considering moving towards a “cleaner” beauty routine but don’t necessarily want to do a vanity overhaul here are some “unclean” ingredients to lookout for.

Unclean ingredients

Parabens are any of a group of compounds used as preservatives in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, these compounds are typically added to cosmetics and skincare to slow down the decaying of the product since they are usually made with biodegradable ingredients. This is an unclean ingredient because scientific studies suggest that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body, harm fertility and reproductive organs, increase the risk of cancer and cause skin irritation.

Formaldehyde is a colorless pungent gas in solution made by oxidizing methanol. When used in cosmetics formaldehyde is used as a preservative much like parabens and what makes it unclean is its ability to cause skin irritation and allergy with prolonged use.

Oxybenzone is a chemical compound typically found in sunscreen and has recently come under fire for being linked to hormonal disruption in men and women. It is also proven to cause skin allergies and considered a hazardous eye irritant.

Silica is a mineral found in sandstone, granite, and clay, as well as in parts of plants and animals. In cosmetics it is used a thickening agent and when synthetically produced is used as an absorbent powder. What makes this ingredient unsafe is if inhaled it is known to potentially cause severe lung inflammation, can be fibro genic, and cause cancer. There are safe types of silica to use that are specifically designed for beauty products.

These are just a few examples of ingredients deemed unclean and unsafe.

Will this clean beauty movement press on and become a standard?

I hope so. It is comforting to know that as technology advances, we are finding cleaner and safer ways to produce and use products.

BOXYCHARM: GO ALL OUT

BOXYCHARM: GO ALL OUT

KATE SOMERVILLE |EXFOLIKATE GLOW MOISTURIZER

MSRP: $70.00

“Powerhouse ingredients remove dead surface skin cells while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles to reveal younger-looking skin.”

The powerhouse ingredients they are speaking of are lactic acid and hyaluronic acid. They are known to “improve pores & texture while hydrating & smoothing for dewy, refreshed-looking skin.”

LAVA BEAUTY | FLIRTY LASH SET

MSRP: $54.00

“The flirty lash set includes a best-selling 3D Mink ‘Flirty’ lash, a clear and latex free brush on eyelash adhesive, and gold applicator.”

Not much to say here other than these are really cute lashes.

CLEAN SKINE CLUB |CLEAN SLATE CLEARING MIST

MSRP: $38.00

“Salicylic, alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and eucalyptus oil are combined to combat impurities and pollutants. This powerful yet lightweight formula effectively reduces acne and breakouts without drying out the skin.”

I have used this mist a few times, it’s refreshing and does not dry out the skin. While it says it reduces breakouts it caused a minor breakout on my skin. I do not have acne prone skin so that may be the cause of the adverse reaction.

TRULY BEAUTY | PINEAPPLE HAZE CBD GLOSSY LIP BUTTER

MSRP: $16.00

“Soak in the benefits of hemp, jojoba, and vitamin E to hydrate and condition your lips while protecting them against everyday environmental aggressors, like the sun and dry weather.”

I love this lip butter! Its very nourishing on the lips and smells amazing.

ROCKIN COSTEMICS | ALL NIGHT BENDER

MSRP: $29.00

“Rockins bent wand and fine tip has been designed to reach and grab each tiny individual lash and shaped to sculpt, separate, and extend the outside lashes. The smooth gliding formula allows you to build and load lashes to achieve an extreme look that will last.”

I have yet to use this mascara but from the looks of the applicator I can tell it grabs every lash. I will up date after tying it to see just how well the formula perfomrs.