On Clean Beauty, with expert intel from Nude by Nature’s head of NPD
When it first appeared on the beauty landscape several years ago, Clean Beauty was viewed as a fad, just another label adopted by brands to sell a few extra units. Fast forward to 2024 and the situation is very different, with Clean Beauty a powerful category all its own with legions of fans. But what is Clean Beauty exactly, and how is it defined?
This is where things can get murky, so following the advice of experts and formulators in the field is key. To me, Clean Beauty means skincare and cosmetic products that contain sustainably-sourced, safe ingredients that are natural, organic and non-toxic, because in this day and age, harmful chemicals should not be in the products we put on our skin.
But it doesn’t just mean natural and organic, clean to many also means ethically-sourced, and that products are not tested on animals. It’s about saying no to artificial colours or fragrances, parabens, petrochemicals, paraffin, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, sulphates, silicones, triclosan, carcinogens, neurotoxins, PABA, PEG, or DEA… but yes to some of the safe synthetics that increasingly found in some of the industry’s smartest formulations.
Notes from an expert
Clean beauty is about the transparency of ingredients, and Megha Chandan, Head of New Product Development at Nude by Nature agrees, saying: “Typically, clean beauty prioritises natural, naturally-derived ingredients that are beneficial for the skin with transparent ingredient lists and often produced with environmental sustainability and ethical practices in mind such as sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly packaging”.
Most clean beauty brands are also cruelty-free, and Nude by Nature ticks all of those boxes as well as performing above and beyond many of its peers.
What to look for
When asked what we should be looking for when shopping for clean, natural and green beauty, she says to consider the following factors:
Ingredient lists: check for transparent, comprehensive ingredient disclosure. Look for recognisable, plant-based and mineral ingredients and avoid potentially harmful ingredients that may cause skin sensitivities or irritation
Animal Testing: look for certifications such as Leaping Bunny or PETA for cruelty-free status
Packaging: choose products with recyclable, reusable or responsibly sourced FSC certified board packaging
Brand transparency & effectiveness: look for clear information on sustainable sourcing and ingredient choices and a brand’s willingness to communicate directly and clearly with customers on product queries. Read reviews, testimonials and seek out products that are efficacious and good for skin, not just those with appealing marketing
Preservatives: seek natural products with safe and robust preservatives that ensure product stability, safety and efficacy
And it’s important to remember that "clean," "natural," and "green" aren't standardised terms, so it’s important to research and understand what each brand means when using these labels.
What to avoid
So, what chemical ingredients should we be wary of in our cosmetics? Once again, Megha helps lead the way, saying that when choosing cosmetics, “it's wise to be aware of certain ingredients that may cause concern due to potential health risks or sensitivities”.
Some ingredients to watch out for include:
Parabens: used as preservatives, parabens have raised concerns about their potential link to hormonal disruptions and identified as possible carcinogens
Phthalates: often found in fragrances and some packaging, use of phthalates is linked to concerns over skin irritation and other possible health issues
Sulphates: Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) are common surfactants in cleansers and can be irritating to sensitive skin and eyes
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers: used as preservatives in some cosmetics, formaldehydes are known as possible carcinogens and have been linked to skin allergies
Synthetic Fragrances: may contain unlisted chemicals and allergens which can be irritating to skin and trigger adverse reactions
Hydroquinone: a skin bleaching agent used for skin lightening, it can cause irritation and is linked to other health concerns
Oh, and on the subject of clean makeup… in particular, mineral
By its definition, mineral makeup is made from naturally occurring minerals and free from synthetic, controversial and potentially irritating ingredients commonly found in conventional make-up. “But not all mineral make-up is created equal,” says Megha. “Nude by Nature is true mineral make-up, made with 100 percent natural ingredients and formulated without bulking fillers such as Talc, Bismuth Oxychloride or synthetic ingredients such as Silicones or Parabens.”
Nude by Nature is free from common irritants and allergens found in conventional makeup, such as fragrances, preservatives, and dyes, so less likely to clog pores and cause breakouts and perfect post-procedure when conventional makeup is best avoided. “True mineral makeup is also lightweight and allows the skin to breathe,” adds Megha, which can be more comfortable for daily wear compared to conventional formulas.
The takeaway
All of this can be overwhelming, so if you’re looking to go clean start small. Educate yourself by reading ingredient lists and familiarising yourself with ingredients and their potential effects. Look for products with natural and recognisable ingredients, and if in doubt, Google.
Prioritise what's most important to you, and decide which aspects of "clean beauty" matter most (e.g., natural ingredients, sustainability, cruelty-free). And when you finish current products replace them with cleaner alternatives, because we are all keeping budget top of mind in these unpredictable times.
Simplify your routine with multi-use products that serve multiple purposes to streamline your routine, and learn how to responsibly dispose of or recycle beauty product packaging.
Ingredient lists: check for transparent, comprehensive ingredient disclosure. Look for recognisable, plant-based and mineral ingredients and avoid potentially harmful ingredients that may cause skin sensitivities or irritation
Animal Testing: look for certifications such as Leaping Bunny or PETA for cruelty-free status
Packaging: choose products with recyclable, reusable or responsibly sourced FSC certified board packaging
Brand transparency & effectiveness: look for clear information on sustainable sourcing and ingredient choices and a brand’s willingness to communicate directly and clearly with customers on product queries. Read reviews, testimonials and seek out products that are efficacious and good for skin, not just those with appealing marketing
Preservatives: seek natural products with safe and robust preservatives that ensure product stability, safety and efficacy
And it’s important to remember that "clean," "natural," and "green" aren't standardised terms, so it’s important to research and understand what each brand means when using these labels.
What to avoid
So, what chemical ingredients should we be wary of in our cosmetics? Once again, Megha helps lead the way, saying that when choosing cosmetics, “it's wise to be aware of certain ingredients that may cause concern due to potential health risks or sensitivities”.
Some ingredients to watch out for include:
Parabens: used as preservatives, parabens have raised concerns about their potential link to hormonal disruptions and identified as possible carcinogens
Phthalates: often found in fragrances and some packaging, use of phthalates is linked to concerns over skin irritation and other possible health issues
Sulphates: Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) are common surfactants in cleansers and can be irritating to sensitive skin and eyes
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers: used as preservatives in some cosmetics, formaldehydes are known as possible carcinogens and have been linked to skin allergies
Synthetic Fragrances: may contain unlisted chemicals and allergens which can be irritating to skin and trigger adverse reactions
Hydroquinone: a skin bleaching agent used for skin lightening, it can cause irritation and is linked to other health concerns
Oh, and on the subject of clean makeup… in particular, mineral
By its definition, mineral makeup is made from naturally occurring minerals and free from synthetic, controversial and potentially irritating ingredients commonly found in conventional make-up. “But not all mineral make-up is created equal,” says Megha. “Nude by Nature is true mineral make-up, made with 100 percent natural ingredients and formulated without bulking fillers such as Talc, Bismuth Oxychloride or synthetic ingredients such as Silicones or Parabens.”
Nude by Nature is free from common irritants and allergens found in conventional makeup, such as fragrances, preservatives, and dyes, so less likely to clog pores and cause breakouts and perfect post-procedure when conventional makeup is best avoided. “True mineral makeup is also lightweight and allows the skin to breathe,” adds Megha, which can be more comfortable for daily wear compared to conventional formulas.
The takeaway
All of this can be overwhelming, so if you’re looking to go clean start small. Educate yourself by reading ingredient lists and familiarising yourself with ingredients and their potential effects. Look for products with natural and recognisable ingredients, and if in doubt, Google.
Prioritise what's most important to you, and decide which aspects of "clean beauty" matter most (e.g., natural ingredients, sustainability, cruelty-free). And when you finish current products replace them with cleaner alternatives, because we are all keeping budget top of mind in these unpredictable times.
Simplify your routine with multi-use products that serve multiple purposes to streamline your routine, and learn how to responsibly dispose of or recycle beauty product packaging.
Comments
Post a Comment