Much Ado About Clean Beauty: Why It Matters and How to Make the Switch

Much Ado About Clean Beauty: Why It Matters and How to Make the Switch

If you’ve attempted to navigate your nearest skin care aisle recently, you know the options can be overwhelming. Step inside any big beauty store and you’ll likely find a dizzying array of pretty bottles and boxes all touting enticing miracle properties.

However by now, you probably know that not all cosmetics are created equal. You may have heard whispers about green or clean beauty and the importance of choosing more natural care products for your health. But what exactly is clean beauty and why is so it important?

To help you out, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about a beauty movement that is transforming the cosmetics industry.

Why Clean Beauty?

According to the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, the cosmetics and personal care product industry is severely under-regulated.

EWG explains that the Food and Drug Administration does not require safety testing on ingredients in personal care products but additionally, more than 80 years has passed since the United States government last updated federal laws regarding the safety of cosmetic products.

The Truth About Common Cosmetic Ingredients

It’s worth noting that in Europe, the EU has banned or restricted 2,762 chemicals, whereas the United States has banned only eleven. What’s more, the government does not actually require health studies or pre-market testing in order for a product to be sold. Of the 10,500+ ingredients that have been determined by the FDA, only about 15% have actually been evaluated for safety.

In 2010, a Canadian study compiled a list known as the Dirty Dozen or Toxic Twelve. This now infamous list cites twelve different common chemicals and compounds that consumers should avoid. Yet over a decade later, many of these ingredients - parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, triclosan and others - are still showing up on the label of many beloved drug store brands.

The ingredients that comprise the dirty dozen are labeled as such based on suspected claims that they can disrupt the endocrine system and interfere with hormones. Some are seen as potentially cancer-causing. Others cause irritation to the skin. Ingredients like fragrance can even be problematic due to a lack of transparency in labeling. Fragrance/parfum could refer to a natural fruit oil but could just as easily be composed of hazardous synthetic chemicals.

Fortunately, amidst all the chaos and confusion of our modern day marketplace, conscious consumers have begun to speak up and demand cleaner cosmetics. The clean beauty movement is on the rise and the momentum for more natural, sustainable personal care products has never been stronger.

What To Look For

If you’re ready to make the switch to cleaner, greener products, you’ve already taken a great first step. However, it's important to know that not all natural products are what they claim. Loose industry standards often allow some companies to “green wash” their products for marketing purposes.

Green-washing occurs when a company emphasizes the natural elements of their product regardless of how legitimately clean the product actually is. In other words, it helps to stay informed and do a little research before you buy. Be mindful to check out the label to learn what’s really in your products.

The Slow Beauty Difference

Who you shop with matters too. Big beauty brands tend to contain more filler ingredients and chemicals due to the demands of high-volume mass production, whereas independent artisan makers have the advantage of producing on a small scale with higher-quality ingredients.

Green brands also tend to formulate with raw or organic components that come straight from the plenitude of nature. While these products may seem simpler, they are full of naturally effective ingredients that deeply nourish the body and promote overall better skin health.

We love ingredients like organic rosehip seed and sea buckthorn oil to strengthen and balance skin. Moisture-rich shea butter and hemp enrich the skin and promote healthy hydration, while herbs like clary sage, chamomile and calendula possess amazing properties for healing and repair.

Better Botanicals : The Benefits of Wildcrafted Skincare

At Plum Brilliance, green beauty goes a step beyond; infusing your skin, body and beauty products with wildcrafted botanicals. Wildcrafting refers to the practice of harvesting and gathering ingredients from the earth, including herbs, fungi and other plants.

A connection to nature allows us to better understand not just the healing properties of plants but also our relationship to them within the ecosystem that sustains us all. Here, the magic of mother nature is met with supportive, ethical practices to create a uniquely beautiful line of sustainable products. Every ingredient is hand-selected and every product is created with special regard for the natural rhythms of the planet.

Other Things To Know

Although making the switch to cleaner products can seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. Small steps add up. You could start with one product at a time and build your routine gradually, or choose a few new staples and create a daily ritual for self care. By simply shopping with intention and making choices that align with your values, you help support the clean beauty movement and the small makers who are changing the cosmetics industry for the better.

References:

The Toxic Twelve Chemicals and Contaminants in Cosmetics By Scott Faber https://www.ewg.org/californiacosmetics/toxic12

Credo beauty has a great dirty list!! https://credobeauty.com/pages/the-dirty-list-1