Have You Joined the Clean Beauty Movement Yet?

The Clean Beauty movement has changed the beauty industry permanently. Consumers are now more aware than ever regarding the skincare ingredients they use. If you are not already checking what your skincare and makeup essentials contain, you should start.

In addition to rising consumer awareness, the industry also faces tougher regulations on irritant causing ingredients. As a result, more and more brands are now accommodating these regulations and consumers' needs by using natural ingredients that are not only safe for your skin but also cause no harm to your health and the environment.

What is Clean Beauty?

Before you learn why Clean Beauty is reigning over the industry, let’s discuss what Clean Beauty is. In short, “Clean Beauty is all about using beauty products that are made from safe ingredients for both consumers and the planet.” Ideally, these products are made using non-toxic, natural, plant-based ingredients and earthy minerals.

The clean beauty movement rejects conventional brands in the beauty industry for using potentially dangerous ingredients such as:

● Parabens

● Artificial colours

● Synthetic fragrances

● Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)

● Phthalates

● Refined petroleum

● Talc

● Formaldehyde

● Aluminium compounds

● Oxybenzone

● Hydroquinone

● Triclosan

● Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

Surely, analysing the ingredients list for every product you use or buy can be rather overwhelming. Moreover, it can sometimes take years to shift to completely clean products. However, it is totally worth starting your clean beauty journey.

You can start small. Swap your conventional antiperspirant deodorants for a clean one that uses clays, essential oils, baking soda, etc. Switch the traditional SLS-containing body wash and facial cleansers for something natural and safer. Another easy change is to change petroleum-based moisturisers to cleaner alternatives.

Why Should We Make the Switch?

Protect Yourself from Endocrine Disruptors

Endocrine disruptors are harmful chemicals that have the ability to imitate the hormones in your body. One of the most commonly used endocrine disruptors in the beauty industry is paraben. You will often find this preservative on the labels as butylparaben or other words that end with “paraben.”

Just as the name suggests, these chemicals derange the endocrine system by changing hormone production levels. As the endocrine system is responsible for regulating essential bodily functions such as mood, metabolism, and reproductive functions, disruptions can cause long-term health damages. Consequences can be as severe as congenital disabilities, reproductive issues, metabolic problems, and more.

Avoid Using Carcinogenic Beauty Products

Did you know that using carcinogens is legal in the beauty industry? Companies frequently incorporate these cancer-causing components in makeup and skincare products - and they do not even have to face any legal charges. So, it is up to you to choose the best personal care products for your body and health.

One of the main carcinogens you should be wary of is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a preservative used for hair care, fragrance, skincare, and body products. What’s worse is that formaldehyde is not always labelled candidly. You may find this ingredient as fragrance, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol, Diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, or Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.

Enjoy Healthier Skin

Personal care products made of natural ingredients are always better for the skin. So why use skincare products made with synthetic ingredients and water if you have safer options? Clean beauty products will have long-term benefits. Plus, you will never have to worry about unwanted side effects.

Despite the high price point, some of the most popular conventional brands are not good for your skin. Instead of paying for the brand name, choose natural and toxin-free products that contain skin-friendly antioxidants. This way, natural nutrients will infuse with your skin and facilitate visible, real, and lasting results. Even though natural brands rarely claim to provide temporary quick fixes, regular use for a long time will guarantee satisfactory results.

Clean Beauty Products Are Environment-friendly

Not only is Clean Beauty kind to you, but it is also kind to the planet. The products you use may also be harmful to the environment. For example, chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate found in sunscreen can contribute to coral bleaching. At the same time, the antibacterial agent Triclosan can be toxic and have a poisonous impact on dolphins, aquatic bacteria, and algae. You can play your part to save the planet by patronising clean beauty companies that prioritise ethical ingredient sourcing and avoid ingredients that can cause such environmental damage.

Clean companies also tackle various environmental problems and partner with non-profit organisations. The aim is to be mindful of the product’s carbon footprint and make it as sustainable as possible. From product content to packaging to business footprint - clean companies think about how their actions may affect the rest of the world.

Use Cruelty-free Personal Care Products

Another major reason to embrace clean beauty is how animal-friendly these products are. For both environmental and ethical reasons, it is best to avoid products that use animals in any way. Most clean brands refrain from involving animals like mice, cats, and rabbits in the product testing procedures. There are more than 7,000 safe ingredients, so testing on animals is really unnecessary.

Clean and cruelty-free companies lean towards green, natural, and sustainable ingredients instead of harsh chemicals. Many clean brands even use plant-derived product formulations. These plant-derived vegan ingredients provide more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants - all of which are great for your body and skin.

Suddenly jumping on the clean beauty bandwagon completely is quite difficult. However, it is worth remembering that the clean beauty movement offers superior quality ingredients and more transparency in skincare. The campaign invites you to start being more aware of what you are applying to your skin and consider whether the product really is necessary.

Clean beauty is not just related to skincare as it has a more significant impact on the environment, your health, and your ethics. You can start small and take a step in the right direction towards clean beauty products.