The clean beauty movement is taking the world by storm. Consumers are now aware of the harmful ingredients used in their personal care products. And they want better, healthier options.
But with the rise of many “clean beauty brands”, questions about these trendy products rose too. Are they better? Are they effective? Is clean beauty worth it?
Clean beauty brands claim to have “safer, healthier” cosmetics. But what does it entitle to call a cosmetic “clean” or “natural”?
Words like “natural, clean, green, non-toxic, eco” aren’t regulated by the government.
This means any beauty company can claim to have “clean” products. They’re allowed to use those words in their labels, without having to prove if they use clean ingredients.
So how do you know which products are really healthier and better for you? What does clean beauty even mean? Let’s answer all those questions.
What is Clean Beauty? Is It Truly Better For Your Skin?
Clean beauty focuses on crafting products that are good for you and the planet. In other words, the ingredients used in clean cosmetics are mostly plant-based and non-toxic for humans.
And if you think your makeup or skincare products have no toxic ingredients, think again. There are 82,000 different ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products. 14,000 of those ingredients are industrial chemicals. This list includes carcinogenic, hormone disruptors, and pesticides— all used on your personal care products.
And it’s perfectly legal in the United States to use those harmful chemicals on the products you put on your skin.
Just like you watch what you eat, you need to keep an eye on what you put on your skin too. The cosmetics you use on your skin are absorbed and get into your bloodstream.
When you’re trying to eat healthier, you avoid processed foods, loaded with chemicals and colorants. You also need to avoid those chemicals on your personal care products.
Not only is clean beauty better for your skin— but it’s also better for your health.
Is Clean Beauty Safer?
When a label says clean, natural, green… it doesn't mean the product is safe.
First, the lack of regulations allows brands to label their products as clean, even if they aren’t.
Also, there are many natural ingredients, like essential oils, which could cause irritation or even be harmful to your skin. The safety of other natural ingredients, like witch hazel, hasn’t been evaluated. More research is needed to know if it’s truly safe for humans.
Aloe Vera is a super-hydrating natural ingredient. It has many benefits but it may cause an allergic reaction in people with a latex allergy.
Choosing the right clean ingredients in your skincare is crucial. A label saying a product is clean or natural doesn’t make it safer. But if they’re using plant-based and natural ingredients instead of harmful chemicals, it does make a difference.
The most important thing is knowing what ingredients work for your body. Some natural ingredients might be amazing for some people, but not great for others.
Learning about the ingredients in your cosmetics is key. Always read the label, especially the ingredient list, before buying any personal care products.
If you find many ingredients you can’t pronounce, it’s better to switch or do research on each ingredient.
Clean beauty is technically safer, but it’s up to you to ensure you’re buying cosmetics with clean, high-quality ingredients. You should also know which ingredients work best for your unique skin.
How to Know if a Product is Both Natural And Safe?
Knowing exactly what’s safe and what’s not it’s tricky. Fortunately, the internet is here to save the day. A quick search answers many questions. But, always make sure to use only reputable sources.
If you’re wondering about certain ingredients, these are great resources to rely on:
- EWG has a huge ingredient database. They provide scienced-backed information about the ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care.
- ECOCERT is another reliable source to find out if certain ingredients are harmful or safe.
Is Clean Beauty Effective?
It depends on your expectations from a beauty product, and of course, the ingredients in it.
When we talk about skincare, “less is more” might not be the best option. You want fewer ingredients, yes. But mostly just less harmful ones, and more natural, effective ones.
It’s important to be cautious about what you put on your skin, but by doing so, you might compromise efficacy. You can’t expect a single ingredient to boost collagen, protect your skin, and keep it healthy and hydrated.
There is one key element for clean beauty to be effective: the right formulations.
If you want healthy, safe, and effective skincare products, you need different groups of ingredients in the formulations. Each group serves a specific function on your skin. These groups include emollients, humectants, and occlusives. Learn more about them here.
An alternative to making clean cosmetics more effective is adding non-toxic synthetics. Many clean beauty companies do this. At Dr. Lily Ros, we don’t use this approach. We craft highly effective skincare products with natural, clean ingredients. But our strong suit are our pharmacist-crafted formulations.
Our expert approach uses the ideal ratio of ingredients to boost efficacy and penetration. You get better results without compromising your health and well-being.
When it comes to products for babies or to treat eczema, active ingredients like hydroquinone or retinol aren't needed. Aim to get products with nourishing oils and soothing herbal extracts— like calendula. If possible, avoid products with essential oils.
So...Is Clean Beauty Worth it?
If you care about your health and wellbeing— yes. Clean beauty is worth it. But always make sure you’re supporting companies that have your best interest at heart.
Some companies chose profit over quality. They use unsafe ingredients and fillers to make a better profit, but fool you to think they have “clean products”.
Always do your research on a company and the ingredients they use before buying. When you do this, you make sure your beauty products are worth it.
Should You Use Ingredients That Might be Toxic But Aren’t Banned by The FDA?
The safety of certain ingredients is highly controversial.
In the EU, there are 1,328 chemical ingredients banned from cosmetics and beauty products. The FDA only banned 11. These banned substances by the EU are known or suspected to cause cancer, genetic mutation, among other issues. 2
The FDA says they’re still allowed because of a lack of studies to support their toxicity.
Truth is, these chemicals might not kill you or harm you. But that doesn't mean you should be using them every day. You need safe ingredients in your cosmetics. Ingredients you feel confident and safe using.
Down the line, a product using these ingredients might harm you. Parabens, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, talc, and phthalate, are a few ingredients you should avoid.
The lack of these toxic ingredients is what makes clean beauty worth it.
Why Are Some Natural Beauty Products More Expensive?
Some clean beauty brands tend to be more expensive than their non-clean counterparts. But finding affordable clean beauty is possible.
The reason for this is because natural ingredients are more expensive than synthetics and fillers in this industry.
Also, certified organic ingredients are more expensive than non-certified ones. Clean beauty tents to have better quality and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Sustainable packaging like glass jars, wood, and recyclable plastics, are more expensive too. All these things add up to make clean beauty more expensive.
Clean beauty might not be as affordable, but it’s better for you, for your skin, and for our planet.
What is Your Role as a Consumer?
Education is highly important, so keep coming back to read our blogs. Our goal is to inform our readers, so you make better choices when it comes to cosmetics and clean beauty.
When you buy new products, make sure the brand is honest and transparent. Ask these questions before shopping:
- Are their ingredients sustainable?
- If the packaging is plastic, is it BPA-free? Is it recyclable?
- What type of chemicals do they use?
- Where are they sourcing their ingredients?
- Are all of their ingredients organic?
- What certifications do they have, if any?
- Based on EWG, what’s the rate of the ingredients used in their products?
* EWG rates ingredients from 1-10 based on their safety. To find out the rate of an ingredient click here.
Informed decisions are better decisions.
Our Take on Clean Beauty
At Dr. Lily Ros, we stay true to clean beauty. Our premium products give you high-quality, effective skincare + makeup— without the harsh chemicals.
With pharmacist-crafted formulations, we took clean beauty to the next level.
Shop with peace of mind. Our cosmetics are healthy and sustainable, but most importantly— they’re highly effective. With us, you don’t need to sacrifice your health to have radiant skin.
Our formulations are pregnancy-safe and good for the whole family. Pure ingredients, true results.
We craft each product with our core values in mind: transparency, quality, and kindness.
Shop our products here. We made clean beauty worth it.
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