Is clean beauty for everybody?

The clean beauty movement has swept the skin care and cosmetics industry off its feet, making its way through the globe. With increasing interest in the concept of clean beauty, there is also an increase in misinformation. So, the question arises, How is one supposed to understand and adapt the clean beauty movement with all this deception around it?  

Well, we are here with all your answers. To understand what clean beauty is? Is it for you or not? How do we begin? What to avoid and which to choose? Let’s answer some of these essential questions today! 

What is Clean Beauty? 

Although brands have defined different definitions to what clean beauty is but its definition is pretty simple and easy to understand. Clean beauty is the practice of using products that are free of ingredients shown or suspected to be harmful to humans. It also means that these products are safe for the environment and use non-toxic and plant-based ingredients for results. 

According to a poll by Harper Bazaar of 1000 women, nearly 50 percent of women already use clean beauty products, and 60 percent would be ready to splurge on them. This huge fanfare does make one wonder what this attraction is towards clean beauty. Well, to make things simpler, let’s have a look at some of the benefits of clean beauty. 

What are the benefits of clean beauty? 

•  Reduce exposure: The most crucial benefit is the reduced exposure to harmful synthetic ingredients associated with hormonal disbalance, causing adverse effects, such as parabens. 
• Lower Skin Irritation: According to a 2018 study by Derek A Drechsel and team concluded that the preservatives, dyes, and fragrances used in regular makeup can cause contact dermatitis. This causes an itchy red rash due to skin sensitivity or an allergic reaction. At the same time, clean beauty reduces the chances of allergic reactions. 
• Healing ingredients help in natural radiance: Clean beauty products often use natural ingredients such as shea butter, avocado oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, etc., which contain anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and skin-repairing properties. They boost collagen production, protect against UV rays, reduce wrinkles, etc. 

Other benefits of clean beauty include fewer odor-induced headaches, better for sensitive skin, and less harmful to the environment. These multi-faceted benefits have undoubtedly caused an uproar in demand for clean beauty products; however, they come with their drawbacks.  

The cosmetics industry is trying to exploit this growing interest in clean beauty products by using misleading labels on their beauty products. Natural, organic, eco, toxin-free, clean are a few of the many labels that we come across skincare products every day without any clear proof of authenticity. This process is commonly known as Greenwashing. 

What is Greenwashing? 

According to Dr. Makker, “Greenwashing is the practice of making false or presumptuous claims about a company’s product range, to make them sound more environmentally friendly. While the claims may be partly true, companies exaggerate them to mislead consumers.” Even after FDA and FTC regulation in the US and BIS in India, companies continue to use potentially harmful products under the blanket label of, “natural,” “green,” and “eco,” etc. 

In such a case, it is our responsibility as consumers to be more intelligent. One such way to avoid such traps is to focus on label transparency. It simply means checking which ingredients are disclosed and which mimic the body’s hormones not. Sometimes brands hide harmful products under the heading of ‘fragrance’ which the consumers need to be careful of. 

There are some known products that should are harmful and should not be present in clean beauty products. 

•   Fragrance, “perfume,” “parfume,” and “flavor” serve as a hack for thousands of potentially harmful ingredients that they don’t want the consumers to see. 
• Endocrine Disruptors: These chemicals can sometimes mimic the body’s hormones, messing up the endocrine system. These can be seen under the label “-paraben” on labels, like “butylparaben,” and could be hidden under the term “fragrance”). 
• Carcinogens: Even some known carcinogens (cancer-causing) are legal to be used in beauty and personal care. The most important one to stay away from is formaldehyde.  
• HYDROQUINONE: It is found in skin lightening creams and is linked to some cancers, reduced immune reaction, abnormal function of the adrenal gland, and a skin condition known as ochronosis. Because of the perceived risk, the European Union, alongside Japan and Australia, has banned the ingredient. 

Many other commonly found ingredients such as talc, Triclosan, Silica are also potentially dangerous. 

Nourish Mantra is a brand that recreates ancient Ayurvedic formulations for modern living. It focuses on holistic wellness and only uses clean ingredients in its products. It is a vegan, cruelty-free brand that believes in self-care.  

Clean beauty products are your safe bet in this modern world filled with chemicals and harmful ingredients to come a bit closer to healthy living. Clean products will suit your needs while ensuring that you stay away from toxic ingredients. It is excellent for your skin and overall health, giving you steady radiance. 

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to join the other side and become a part of the clean beauty movement today!