What is Clean Beauty?
Beauty
February 24, 2023
Author: Doré
Beauty
February 24, 2023
What is Clean Beauty?
Author: Doré
The concept of clean beauty, while incredibly buzzy, has also become a loaded phrase in the last few years. Today, you’ll see many brands (including Doré) touting themselves as clean. But what exactly does clean beauty mean?Defining clean beautyPart of the confusion around what clean beauty actually means is that there isn’t one clearly defined set of standards that establish what clean is. And while places like the EU have strongly regulated the beauty space for consumer health and safety, the FDA still has a lot of catching up to do. This has led to brands or retailers having to define what clean means to them, making it tricky for us to know what that means from brand to brand, or retailer to retailer. For some clean beauty brands, it means that ingredients are natural or organic. For others it means they’re non-toxic. Sometimes sustainable and ethical sourcing also gets lumped into clean.Our philosophyFor Doré, our philosophy around clean is focused on the health and safety of our community. We want to make sure that when you use our products, you know they are safe. A lot of the chemicals in personal care products that were released decades ago have now been studied for long enough to know that some of them may be related to different allergies or diseases. That doesn’t mean all chemicals are bad - there are many synthetic ingredients on the market that have been tested and are proven to be safe for use in personal care products, and can often add stability and efficacy to skincare formulas, but we like formulating with that knowledge in mind. This is why all Doré products are EWG VERIFIED™ (you can learn more about EWG Verified hereto learn more about the mark php).) We rely on EWG for the latest research in this space to hold us to their high standard of safety. In addition to eliminating ingredients of concern, EWG VERIFIED™ products also must meet EWG’s standard of transparency in labeling and ingredient information, and commit to using good manufacturing practices.To that end, we don’t believe that just because something is natural or organic that it’s better for you - we often give the example of a mushroom that could poison you, or irritants like poison ivy. In our experience, sometimes all natural products can exacerbate sensitivities or lose their stability and lead to product contamination. That’s why we like to differentiate between clean and natural.In addition to EWG VERIFIED™, we also look to our partners at Credo Beauty who have raised the bar for defining clean beauty in retail. Credo’s Clean Standard takes into account safety, sourcing, ethics, sustainability and transparency and they are one of the retailers to most clearly define and communicate their clean standard. We are proud to meet Credo’s Clean standard in addition to our EWG Verification.Lastly, our products are manufactured in France, so in addition to the clean standards outlined above, we’re also held to EU regulatory standards for beauty and personal care.So whether you’re shopping Doré, going to Credo or exploring another brand, it’s important to get clarity into how they define clean, and also to define what clean needs to mean to you to feel safe in your skincare.Why does clean beauty matter?Before getting into more details around specific ingredients to avoid, we wanted to explore why exactly clean beauty matters, even if it’s so loosely defined.It Encourages People To Make Informed DecisionsThe non-toxic beauty movement was the first to spotlight what we were putting on our skin and hair, paving the way for clean beauty skincare, haircare and body care. It encouraged consumers to question ingredients, particularly those that are toxic, cause irritation, and, worse, are carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors. Before clean beauty trends, most consumers didn’t pay much attention to what was in their skincare and whether it could be harmful. It’s thought the rise in skin sensitivities and knowledge of possible irritations caused by synthetic ingredients have influenced this behavior shift.Now, consumers want skincare products with honest and minimalist ingredient lists. As a result, labels are read more carefully, and a mindful approach to understanding skincare ingredients has been adopted as more people attempt to truly understand what clean skincare means.It Holds Skincare Brands AccountableBy reframing the focus on what goes into our skincare and pushing for more natural, sustainable, and better quality ingredients, clean beauty concepts hold brands - both clean skincare brands and more legacy brands - accountable for using potentially dangerous and toxic elements. Consumers have become much more educated and are reading ingredient lists much more carefully than they perhaps did previously. Conventional beauty companies are feeling the pressure to step up and switch to clean skincare if they want to still appeal to customers.It Drives Environmental ChangeThe clean beauty movement has been attributed to igniting the conversation about environmental sustainability in the industry. Before it took off, only a few big-name brands discussed the impact of packaging on the environment or the importance of ethical ingredient sourcing. Even fewer were partnering with non-profit organizations or tackling broad-scope environmental problems and managing their carbon emissions. Once the clean beauty movement emerged, more sustainable skincare options became available. Brands began to make their products recyclable, used zero waste or reusable packaging, explored alternatives to plastic, and adopted eco-friendly inks and certified sustainable cardboard. Green beauty also raises awareness of the environmental impact of the industry’s top ingredients.It’s Better For The SkinThe clean beauty movement avoids potentially harmful ingredients, making clean beauty products better for the skin. The risk of skin irritation is reduced, thanks to gentler formulations and no harsh chemicals. A clean beauty product is less likely to strip the skin of its natural oils or disrupt its delicate balance, nurturing and nourishing the skin instead. Many clean ingredients provide essential hydration, vitamins, minerals, and other benefits supporting skin health and vitality.Clean beauty also recognizes individuals' sensitivity levels or preferences for skincare products. By offering a range of options free from certain ingredients, clean beauty allows consumers to make choices that align with their specific needs and values, reducing the likelihood of adverse reactions or discomfort. As with any skincare product, it's important to note that individual skin types and sensitivities can vary. What works for one person may not work for another. Even though clean beauty is generally considered better for skin health, it's still advisable to test products, read reviews, and consult with skin care professionals to find the best clean beauty products for your specific skin needs. Not all clean beauty is created equally.What ingredients should you avoid?The best clean beauty products avoid certain harmful ingredients, and those are:Parabens and phthalatesParabens and phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are used as preservatives in cosmetics and skincare products. They can be found in everything from shampoo to moisturizer to makeup. Parabens have been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption. Phthalates have been linked to reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and developmental and reproductive toxicity.SulfatesSulfates are harsh chemicals that are used as cleansing agents in cosmetics and skincare products. They can be found in everything from shampoo to body wash. Sulfates have been linked to skin irritation, endocrine disruption, and reproductive toxicity. You should avoid beauty products that contain these ingredients, and look for products that are labeled “sulfate-free.”FragranceFragrance is a catch-all term that can refer to any number of potentially harmful chemicals. These chemicals can be found in perfumes, colognes, and other scented products. Fragrance chemicals have been linked to allergies, asthma, etc.TalcTalc is a mineral that is often used in cosmetics, baby powder, and other personal care products. Talc has been linked to ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and respiratory problems. You should avoid skincare and beauty products that contain these ingredients, and look for products labeled “talc-free.”SilicaSilica is used as an absorbent, anticaking, and abrasive agent in everything from oral care products to foundation. Silica has been linked to lung cancer and respiratory problems. You should avoid beauty products that contain these ingredients, and look for products labeled “silica-free.”HydroquinoneHydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent that is often used in anti-aging products and “fade creams.” Hydroquinone has been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, and organ system toxicity. You should avoid beauty products that contain these ingredients, and look for products labeled “hydroquinone-free.”Refined petroleumRefined petroleum products are often used in cosmetics as moisturizers, hair care products, and makeup. Petroleum products have been linked to cancer, organ system toxicity, and respiratory problems.
The concept of clean beauty, while incredibly buzzy, has also become a loaded phrase in the last few years. Today, you’ll see many brands (including Doré) touting themselves as clean. But what exactly does clean beauty mean?Defining clean beautyPart of the confusion around what clean beauty actually means is that there isn’t one clearly defined set of standards that establish what clean is. And while places like the EU have strongly regulated the beauty space for consumer health and safety, the FDA still has a lot of catching up to do. This has led to brands or retailers having to define what clean means to them, making it tricky for us to know what that means from brand to brand, or retailer to retailer. For some clean beauty brands, it means that ingredients are natural or organic. For others it means they’re non-toxic. Sometimes sustainable and ethical sourcing also gets lumped into clean.Our philosophyFor Doré, our philosophy around clean is focused on the health and safety of our community. We want to make sure that when you use our products, you know they are safe. A lot of the chemicals in personal care products that were released decades ago have now been studied for long enough to know that some of them may be related to different allergies or diseases. That doesn’t mean all chemicals are bad - there are many synthetic ingredients on the market that have been tested and are proven to be safe for use in personal care products, and can often add stability and efficacy to skincare formulas, but we like formulating with that knowledge in mind. This is why all Doré products are EWG VERIFIED™ (you can learn more about EWG Verified hereto learn more about the mark php).) We rely on EWG for the latest research in this space to hold us to their high standard of safety. In addition to eliminating ingredients of concern, EWG VERIFIED™ products also must meet EWG’s standard of transparency in labeling and ingredient information, and commit to using good manufacturing practices.To that end, we don’t believe that just because something is natural or organic that it’s better for you - we often give the example of a mushroom that could poison you, or irritants like poison ivy. In our experience, sometimes all natural products can exacerbate sensitivities or lose their stability and lead to product contamination. That’s why we like to differentiate between clean and natural.In addition to EWG VERIFIED™, we also look to our partners at Credo Beauty who have raised the bar for defining clean beauty in retail. Credo’s Clean Standard takes into account safety, sourcing, ethics, sustainability and transparency and they are one of the retailers to most clearly define and communicate their clean standard. We are proud to meet Credo’s Clean standard in addition to our EWG Verification.Lastly, our products are manufactured in France, so in addition to the clean standards outlined above, we’re also held to EU regulatory standards for beauty and personal care.So whether you’re shopping Doré, going to Credo or exploring another brand, it’s important to get clarity into how they define clean, and also to define what clean needs to mean to you to feel safe in your skincare.Why does clean beauty matter?Before getting into more details around specific ingredients to avoid, we wanted to explore why exactly clean beauty matters, even if it’s so loosely defined.It Encourages People To Make Informed DecisionsThe non-toxic beauty movement was the first to spotlight what we were putting on our skin and hair, paving the way for clean beauty skincare, haircare and body care. It encouraged consumers to question ingredients, particularly those that are toxic, cause irritation, and, worse, are carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors. Before clean beauty trends, most consumers didn’t pay much attention to what was in their skincare and whether it could be harmful. It’s thought the rise in skin sensitivities and knowledge of possible irritations caused by synthetic ingredients have influenced this behavior shift.Now, consumers want skincare products with honest and minimalist ingredient lists. As a result, labels are read more carefully, and a mindful approach to understanding skincare ingredients has been adopted as more people attempt to truly understand what clean skincare means.It Holds Skincare Brands AccountableBy reframing the focus on what goes into our skincare and pushing for more natural, sustainable, and better quality ingredients, clean beauty concepts hold brands - both clean skincare brands and more legacy brands - accountable for using potentially dangerous and toxic elements. Consumers have become much more educated and are reading ingredient lists much more carefully than they perhaps did previously. Conventional beauty companies are feeling the pressure to step up and switch to clean skincare if they want to still appeal to customers.It Drives Environmental ChangeThe clean beauty movement has been attributed to igniting the conversation about environmental sustainability in the industry. Before it took off, only a few big-name brands discussed the impact of packaging on the environment or the importance of ethical ingredient sourcing. Even fewer were partnering with non-profit organizations or tackling broad-scope environmental problems and managing their carbon emissions. Once the clean beauty movement emerged, more sustainable skincare options became available. Brands began to make their products recyclable, used zero waste or reusable packaging, explored alternatives to plastic, and adopted eco-friendly inks and certified sustainable cardboard. Green beauty also raises awareness of the environmental impact of the industry’s top ingredients.It’s Better For The SkinThe clean beauty movement avoids potentially harmful ingredients, making clean beauty products better for the skin. The risk of skin irritation is reduced, thanks to gentler formulations and no harsh chemicals. A clean beauty product is less likely to strip the skin of its natural oils or disrupt its delicate balance, nurturing and nourishing the skin instead. Many clean ingredients provide essential hydration, vitamins, minerals, and other benefits supporting skin health and vitality.Clean beauty also recognizes individuals' sensitivity levels or preferences for skincare products. By offering a range of options free from certain ingredients, clean beauty allows consumers to make choices that align with their specific needs and values, reducing the likelihood of adverse reactions or discomfort. As with any skincare product, it's important to note that individual skin types and sensitivities can vary. What works for one person may not work for another. Even though clean beauty is generally considered better for skin health, it's still advisable to test products, read reviews, and consult with skin care professionals to find the best clean beauty products for your specific skin needs. Not all clean beauty is created equally.What ingredients should you avoid?The best clean beauty products avoid certain harmful ingredients, and those are:Parabens and phthalatesParabens and phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are used as preservatives in cosmetics and skincare products. They can be found in everything from shampoo to moisturizer to makeup. Parabens have been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption. Phthalates have been linked to reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and developmental and reproductive toxicity.SulfatesSulfates are harsh chemicals that are used as cleansing agents in cosmetics and skincare products. They can be found in everything from shampoo to body wash. Sulfates have been linked to skin irritation, endocrine disruption, and reproductive toxicity. You should avoid beauty products that contain these ingredients, and look for products that are labeled “sulfate-free.”FragranceFragrance is a catch-all term that can refer to any number of potentially harmful chemicals. These chemicals can be found in perfumes, colognes, and other scented products. Fragrance chemicals have been linked to allergies, asthma, etc.TalcTalc is a mineral that is often used in cosmetics, baby powder, and other personal care products. Talc has been linked to ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and respiratory problems. You should avoid skincare and beauty products that contain these ingredients, and look for products labeled “talc-free.”SilicaSilica is used as an absorbent, anticaking, and abrasive agent in everything from oral care products to foundation. Silica has been linked to lung cancer and respiratory problems. You should avoid beauty products that contain these ingredients, and look for products labeled “silica-free.”HydroquinoneHydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent that is often used in anti-aging products and “fade creams.” Hydroquinone has been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, and organ system toxicity. You should avoid beauty products that contain these ingredients, and look for products labeled “hydroquinone-free.”Refined petroleumRefined petroleum products are often used in cosmetics as moisturizers, hair care products, and makeup. Petroleum products have been linked to cancer, organ system toxicity, and respiratory problems.