Clean beauty is a hot topic right now but what does it mean? Are clean beauty products worth the hype?
I’m here to help you understand what clean beauty is and if this is a big deal or not.
What are clean beauty products?
A clean beauty product is one that has been produced without the use of ingredients that are believed to be harmful to human health or the environment.
The term “clean beauty products” can refer to cosmetics, clothing, and other consumer goods, but it is most generally associated with skincare products.
Natural and organic skincare products have become more and more popular over the past several years, as people seek out all-natural solutions to their skincare needs.
Consumers want to know that the products they put on their bodies don’t contain toxic ingredients or carcinogens.
For example, one of the most common ingredients in conventional cosmetics is parabens, a preservative that can cause serious health problems, including cancer.
Toxic chemicals aren’t just found in skincare products.
They’re also present in many shampoos and laundry detergents, as well as the linings of food cans and aluminum beverage bottles.
Some of these chemicals, such as BPA and phthalates, have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive problems in women, and even infertility.
The movement for clean beauty products has gained momentum in recent years with the rise of social media influencers and bloggers who talk about their personal experiences with natural beauty products.
These influencers have inspired a new generation of consumers to make healthier choices when it comes to what they put on their bodies.
Are clean beauty products worth it?
Yes — clean beauty products are worth the money because they deliver results while they minimize their environmental impact.
The good news is that there are tons of clean cosmetics to choose from, including many affordable drugstore beauty products.
You can find clean face washes for $8, no-tear shampoo for $10, and under-$20 organic lipsticks.
This means you don’t have to spend a fortune to shop green.
But it’s also true that some organic beauty products will cost a pretty penny.
So whether you’re at the drugstore or Sephora, it’s important to know what you’re paying for.
To put it simply, there are two major reasons why costlier beauty products tend to carry higher price tags: quality and efficiency.
When your skincare routine is made up of high-quality ingredients like organic shea butter and pomegranate extract (instead of questionable chemicals), using your products won’t be wasteful — they’ll actually work as they should with fewer applications.
Quality ingredients also mean you can use high-end beauty products every day without worrying about your skin getting raw.
In fact, top-notch antiaging creams often come in small amounts so you can use them sparingly and make them last.
Is clean beauty safe?
Clean beauty products are not only the safest option for you but also the most effective. When you use clean beauty products, there is no need for harmful chemicals to enhance their effectiveness.
You get a product that does what it promises—it cleanses your skin and hair, makes you feel beautiful, and smells great.
Clean beauty is not just about using safer ingredients in your personal care products.
It’s about supporting companies that respect their workers and the environment by paying them fair wages and using sustainable packaging materials.
It’s about choosing brands that have high standards for the safety of their employees.
Why you should switch to clean beauty?
These days, consumers are becoming more educated and aware of what they put on and in their bodies.
Toxins found in conventional beauty products can be harmful to your health and can cause skin irritation.
Many people are now choosing clean beauty products for this reason.
Clean beauty products are usually made with ingredients that are naturally derived instead of ingredients that have been chemically processed or manufactured.
They’re also cruelty-free, meaning the products have not been tested on animals during the manufacturing process.
Here are 6 reasons why you should switch to clean beauty:
Clean beauty is safer for your health
Harsh chemicals used in conventional beauty products can cause long-term damage to your skin, while natural ingredients used in clean beauty don’t contain any harmful toxins or chemicals that can harm your body over time.
Clean beauty also contains less harsh chemicals used in the manufacturing process, so clean beauty products tend to be gentler on your skin than conventional ones.
Clean beauty products are more effective
Clean beauty products can actually be more effective than traditional beauty products because they contain fewer chemicals that can prevent your skin from absorbing the product you applied.
If you regularly use conventional cosmetics or personal care products that contain parabens, phthalates or other toxic ingredients, you may not be getting the benefit from them that you think.
Clean beauty supports a healthy environment
Conventional beauty products use ingredients that are often sourced from environmentally destructive sources including fossil fuels, crude oil, tar sands, and other non-sustainable practices like strip mining and deforestation.
Clean beauty products use ingredients that support a healthy environment such as organic herbs and plants
How do I choose the right clean beauty product for me?
I’ve talked before about cleaning up your beauty routine, but with all the products available on the market, it can be hard to figure out where to start.
I’m a fan of clean beauty products.
You know, ones that are free of harsh chemicals and irritating ingredients — things that might irritate your skin or leave you looking older than you are.
This is my 6-step process for choosing the right clean beauty product for me:
Step 1: Look for products that are free from harmful chemicals. The more ingredients a product has, the more likely it is to have at least one harmful chemical in it.
Step 2: Find brands with positive reviews. I look for products with reviews by people who actually used them, not just companies that sell similar products or their friends.
Step 3: Research each brand’s company policies and practices. If a company is against animal testing and uses organic ingredients, then they’re more likely to have higher quality products than a company that doesn’t share my values.
Step 4: Check each product’s ingredient list again. I do this because sometimes the reviews will point out something important about an ingredient that I missed the first time around.
Step 5: Choose a few products to try, then read reviews of those products after I’ve tried them out to see if they worked as well as everyone said they would.
Step 6: If it works, keep buying it. If not, try another brand until I find something that does work for me!
Why do people choose clean beauty products?
I’ll admit. I like pretty packaging.
It’s something about it that makes me want to use the product, and I’m not alone in this feeling.
Treat your skin with respect, feed it with natural and organic ingredients.
Sustainability should be part of our everyday routine.
Clean beauty is a safe, healthy way to treat yourself and the ones you love.
Here are 6 reasons why people choose clean beauty:
1. Clean products don’t cause harm to my health or the environment.
2. Clean products are often more effective than conventional ones.
3. It feels good to do something good for myself and the environment.
4. You get to know your favorite brands better.
5. There is a huge variety of choices available.
6. You get expert advice directly from people who use it every day.
Are clean brands more expensive than traditional lines?
Clean skincare products can be more expensive than traditional lines, because clean brands utilize more expensive, cutting-edge ingredients.
For example, many clean skincare companies like Tata Harper and Sunday Riley use natural ingredients instead of chemicals in their products.
However, natural ingredients aren’t necessarily more expensive than synthetic chemicals.
If you decide to go with a clean brand, look for coupons or sales that can help you save money on your purchase.
The best way to start using clean beauty products!
To start using clean beauty products, I would say to focus on one type of product — cleanser/toner, moisturizer/serum, or exfoliant — and try to find one that works best for your skin.
Try to avoid products with more than five ingredients. It took me months to figure out how many different things my skin was allergic to.
At first, I thought it was just one specific ingredient in my skincare products — but then I realized that every single product had that ingredient in it!
It can be hard to figure out what your skin is reacting badly too, especially if you’re using something new every day like makeup.
Clean beauty products can be expensive at first, but it’s worth it in the end when you’re not throwing money down the drain on useless products!
Tips for clean beauty newbies
Whether you’re a newbie or just need a refresher, the following six tips will help you get started with clean beauty:
Start small
The first thing you should do is make a list of brands that you already use and love—these are your “safe” brands.
Then make a list of products from these brands that you’re willing to try in clean formulations, or even just try from this brand in general (if you’re open to trying something new).
The point is just to keep it simple at first.
Consider your skin type
Everyone’s skin is unique and will react differently to the same products so its important to pinpoint your skin type before trying out clean beauty products for the first time.
If you have oily skin, consider skipping facial oils since they can make your face look more shiny; if you have dry skin opt for serums instead of moisturizers since they penetrate deeper into the skin.
Try samples first
Most brands offer samples of their products so you can try their products before committing to buying full-sized versions.
It’s also just as important to try samples of different brands.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
The best way to learn is to find someone who has already “gone green” — a friend, a colleague, or family member.
Cut down on makeup first
To begin with, focus on cleaning up your routine by switching out items like mascara and eyeliner for items in new categories like skincare or lip care instead of adding more products into an existing routine that’s already fairly full-on.
Use this time to identify your personal “must-haves.” What products do you want to keep using? What are you willing to give up?
How to find clean beauty products
A lot of us are already familiar with the importance of avoiding synthetic chemicals in our body care products.
But what exactly is clean beauty, and how do you find it?
Try these steps to find clean beauty products:
1. Look for ingredients that you recognize.
2. Do a quick Google search for your product’s ingredients and scan the results for anything scary, like “paraben” or “phthalate.”
3. Check out EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database for ingredients and details about whether they’re safe or not.
4. If you can’t find any information about your product, look for something similar and see what its ingredients are. If a common ingredient turns up in both, then it’s probably safe to use!
5. Avoid fragrances if possible — they can contain phthalates, which are linked to reproductive problems in humans and hormone disruption in animals.
Final Thoughts
I’m happy to say that yes, clean beauty products have definitely been worth it for me!
After seeing first-hand the ingredients that many conventional brands use, I realized just how important quality ingredients truly are.
My skin feels better thanks to ingredients like shea butter and argan oil, and my hair is healthier as well.
I’m also happy knowing that I have no harmful chemicals on my skin or in my shampoo.
Don’t get me wrong—I won’t stop buying from affordable drugstore brands any time soon.
However, I definitely plan on making a bigger effort to check out more natural products in the future!
