FAQ: what is clean beauty and greenwashing?

What is clean beauty?

Clean beauty refers to skincare, makeup, and personal care products that are created without harmful or questionable ingredients. These products prioritize safety, non-toxicity, and environmental sustainability. Clean beauty brands focus on transparency, providing consumers with clear information about the ingredients they use and avoiding chemicals like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.

What is greenwashing?

Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing practice where a company falsely promotes its products as environmentally friendly or sustainable to appeal to eco-conscious consumers. This can involve misleading claims about the ingredients, production processes, or overall environmental impact of the product. Greenwashing can make it difficult for consumers to make informed choices, as the products might not be as green or clean as they are presented.

What should you look for on product labels?

When evaluating product labels, consider the ingredient list. Look for clear, recognizable ingredients. Avoid products with long lists of complex chemical names, different from latin botanical names. Also look for certifications from reputable organizations like EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny, or USDA Organic. Only choose brands that are transparent about their ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes. Be cautious of vague or broad claims like “fragrances” or “eco-friendly.” Verify these claims through research or certifications.

What kinds of ingredients should you use? Which should you avoid?

Look for natural oils: Jojoba oil, argan oil, and tanamu oil are nourishing and safe. Botanicals and botanical extracts like aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea provide beneficial properties. Avoid Ingredients like parabens which are preservatives linked to hormonal disruptions. Sulfates which are harsh detergents that can strip skin of natural oils. Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics flexible, associated with various health issues. And as synthetic fragrances/fragrances often contain numerous undisclosed chemicals that can cause allergies or sensitivities.

Why are these products typically more expensive?

Clean beauty products are often more expensive due to several factors. One being high-quality ingredients: Sourcing safe, effective, and often organic ingredients can be costlier. Second, ethical sourcing. Sustainable and ethical sourcing practices add to production costs. Third, research and development. Developing non-toxic formulations that are effective requires significant investment in research. Fourth, obtaining certifications and conducting thorough safety testing can be expensive. And lastly, smaller batches: Clean beauty brands often produce in smaller batches to ensure freshness and reduce waste, leading to higher costs.

These factors contribute to the higher price point of clean beauty products, reflecting their commitment to safety, efficacy, and sustainability, by supporting them, not only will you be supporting your own personal health and well-being, you will also be supporting a more sustainable, and ethical beauty industry.