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What is it clean beauty?
Clean beauty is a trend that is taking the beauty industry by storm. Clean Beauty means the product is created without any toxic ingredients. It also relates to the ingredients being sustainably sourced. Looking after our skin should be the main focus of any beauty brand and it’s important to understand what you’re putting on your skin and what your skin needs.
Being transparent is definitely something I look for when buying and trying new beauty products. I've been researching into a few businesses that believe being clean is the only way forward in this industry.Only recently have I decided to buy clean products and I've realised it’s not as easy as it seems to know exactly what you’re putting onto your skin. This is because in certain parts of the world the cosmetic industry isn’t heavily regulated, making it easier for brands to hide or avoid telling the consumer what’s in their products. As this trend develops a lot of business have decided to change their ways, however the definition of clean beauty is still a little blurred.
How clean is the beauty industry
This depends on where you are in the world, as legislations vary. In the USA the problem with the term “clean beauty” is that there are no guidelines set by the FDA to regulate terms used to associate a product with clean beauty, for example Natural. Did you know that in order to call a product natural only 1% of it must be made from a plant based ingredient?
Organic beauty is a term used to describe a non-toxic product regardless of whether the ingredients are natural or synthetic. There are some synthetic ingredients that are considered good, that's why brands are swaying towards the term Organic instead of natural. When people hear the term chemical they automatically want to avoid it, maybe because of how harsh and scientifical the word sounds, what many people don't know is that plenty of dangerous substances occur naturally and are equally as bad for us.
Trade Secrets
A trade secret is a way for the beauty industry to hide their ingredients in plain sight. Fragrance is a perfect example of this, by stating fragranced or by using the term parfum on the bottle you are informing the consumer that the product is perfumed but not telling them exactly what that perfume is made from. Brands have been using this loophole for a very long time and they remain a trade secret until exposed.
In the EU, the labelling of cosmetic products is regulated by the EU Cosmetic Regulations, however similarly to the USA, parfum and aroma do need to have the raw materials listed. This means that we may be using harmful chemicals and not even know!
Benefits of being Clean
#1 The more natural and organic your skin products are, the better you will feel. By using non-toxic cosmetics your body will benefit in more ways than one from the ingredients used, such as less skin irritations, better organ function, healthier looking skin, more energy. Some synthetic ingredients have been known to affect the hormone system and occasionally damage the immune system, by ditching the harmful chemicals we stop the increased risk of this!
#2 Makeup can be expensive, especially if you’re like me and purchase quality products that naturally have a higher price tag, but if your skin is looking better there's no need to cover it up anymore! Looking after your skin helps you look more radiant, youthful and full of life! Why would you want to cover that up?
#3 Clean beauty products can seem a little daunting when you see how much some of them cost, but in the long run you actually save money! With regular beauty products the quality can lack, meaning you need to use twice the amount to see the products full potential. Clean products tend to carry more active ingredients making them more powerful so less is more.
#4 As our awareness of the planets current environmental situation grows we are all trying to be a little more sustainable in day to day life, why not transfer that mentality to your beauty regime. A lot of clean brands offer refillable packaging which is more cost effective and better for the environment.
A few to look out for
I feel like everyone wants to do a little better in picking their beauty products, but as i said earlier, how do we know what to look out for? I’ve listed a few of the most common but also harmful chemicals found in so many retailed cosmetics.
Parabens:
Used widely across the beauty industry parabens are synthetic preservatives providing your product with a longer shelf life. Common parabens are Methylparaben, Ethylparaben and isobutylparaben. Too much exposure to parabens can disrupt the hormonal system by mimicking estrogen cells. This can lead to many health problems including the growth of tumours. A small study in 2004 showed traces of parabens in breast cancer patients also in breast milk. Many chemicals sink through the skin into the bloodstream, that’s why it’s so important to know exactly what’s in your cosmetic product!
Toluene:
An aromatic hydrocarbon, that is commonly used in hair bleach, nail treatments and nail polish. Associated with paint thinners because of its intense smell is definitely one to be cautious of. Exposure to too much toluene can result in your body feeling fatigued, nauseous and even affect the respiratory system. Although the nausea may fade, being over exposed to toluene can lead to more serious issues like decreased brain function, neurological damage and impaired breathing. Be aware that toluene can be listed as methylbenzene, phenylmethane and toluol.
Fragrance:
Otherwise known as perfume or parfum, fragrances are used widely across the beauty industry. The issue with seeing something labeled “perfumed” or “fragranced” is that it's an easy way to hide a list of possibly harmful chemicals. One of the main causes of Sensitized skin is perfume, causing a volatile reaction on the skin that can lead to eczema and in extreme cases organ damage.
Who loves being clean?
Sarah decided to create her own plant based skincare products that fall in line with our love for the clean beauty movement. Believing in transparency, vegan cruelty free and organic products that provide you with perfect quality. By Sarah London are one of the only brands the UK that display their full ingredient list on the front of the bottle rather than the box so you know exactly where you stand! One of my favourites is https://www.calissa.com/by-sarah-london-green-clay-face-mask-60g.html">By Sarah London Green Clay Face Mask. This 100% natural, 80% organic and vegan face mask is perfect for boosting your antioxidants. Made with organic Moringa, Matcha Green Tea and French Green Clay this mask will rejuvenate and balance your skin improving your complexion! And it’s so simple to apply, mix 1 tablespoon of the Green Clay Face Mask with water, once it has turned into a paste rub into the face and neck and rinse with warm water.
At Caudalie they believe believe in giving back to the planet. Since 2012 they have been part of the 1% for the Planet movement. If you haven't heard of this, it means 1% of their global turnover gets given to organisations working hard to protect the environment resulting in over 8 million trees being planted. Committed to complete transparency but refusing to let go of glamour Caudalie believe in being natural whenever they can only using synthetic ingredients for good! After applying your face mask I think there's nothing better than using a hydrating moisturiser! I use Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Sorbet. I love this because it can be used day and night as a cream or a mask, just leave it on to seriously hydrate your skin! Reactivating the skin’s hydration mechanisms whilst restoring its water reserves and reducing redness, what’s not to love about this product!
Driven by honesty, the transparency of their journey and products are what allows their world to connect with ours. Calling themselves a self-financed tiny giant in the beauty industry. Since they began they have explored and protected our coastlines, testing their products only on themselves. They are so dedicated to being sustainable clean and transparent they offer a rubbish for product scheme! This means if you take a bag if beach rubbish to the store with visual proof that it came from Walpole Bay you'll receive a free Bladderwrack Body Cleanser that can be refilled when you return for a discounted price! I’m not just about facials, you need to look after your body as well as your face! Haeckels Vegan Exfoliating Seaweed Block does exactly that! Made with seaweed, this exfoliating block helps the body to create anti-aging amino acids, as well as hydrate and provide protective antioxidants. The crushed peppercorns and coriander seeds exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and leaves your skin feeling soft and to top it off, it smells amazing! Believing “high quality plants provide the greatest potential” To protect the health of his wife and daughter Dr. Alkaitis began developing his own natural formulas. Using only raw materials and 100% certified Aloe Vera instead of water as the base for his products he is committed to quality. Another thing I love about Dr Alkakitis products, is that they are all hand-manufactured in small batches in their lab. Dr Alkaitis Organic Body Wash is a must! Designed to restore your skin's natural moisture balance, this gentle body cleanser is gender neutral, removes dead skin cells and restores your skin's PH- balance. Created with vitamins, herbs and essential oils prevent acne, dry skin and the best part it's gentle enough to use daily! With a philosophy that less is more, you will only ever find up to 7 organic ingredients in any Skin & Tonic products. They believe in giving your skin a fresh start, leaving the harsh chemicals behind and joing the clean beauty revolution with sustainable, transparent and organic products. Skin & Tonic are cruelty free testing only on themselves, support local independent business to source their ingredients. Skin & Tonic are based in the UK, in order to reduce their carbon footprint they plant trees all around the Suffolk countryside, not to mention the seals used on their products are made from plant cellulose so it can be put onto your compost and reused! When life gets stressful, I always pick up my Skin & Tonic Calm Balm. Enriched with lavender, chamomile and calendula oils when this product is rubbed into your wrists and temples it just instantly relaxes your mood. The best part, it comes in a glass pot making it sustainable as well.I hope this has inspired you to join the Clean Beauty movement! All of the products mentioned in this post can be purchased on Calissa
