Beautiful Virgin Islands

Sunday, Sep 21, 2025

What Does Clean Beauty Actually Mean?

What Does Clean Beauty Actually Mean?

Clean products have become a key sector in the beauty market, but also a catch-all term. Here's how to decode the clean beauty space.

From minimizing pores, banishing wrinkles, and defying age to hydrating, plumping, and exfoliating, we expect our beauty products to do a lot for us. On top of the visible results we hope to see, many also want these products to deliver said skin-saving with clean ingredients that aren't harmful or toxic to our health. The clean beauty movement has grown exponentially in recent years, and has even continued to show market growth as the beauty industry at large takes a hit amidst the pandemic. But the new clean beauty standard for skincare, makeup, and hair care actually has some muddy waters-with all the vocabulary around so-called clean products ("organic," "non-toxic," "vegan," etc.) its becoming more difficult to understand exactly what the labels are saying. Clean beauty also creates the illusion that the alternative offerings are "dirty" or bad for you.

As greenwashing becomes more prevalent in the beauty space, it's important to educate yourself on what products are the right fit for your preferences and needs. Here, L'OFFICIEL gives a comprehensive guide to what clean beauty actually is, and isn't.

Despite increasing consumer demand for clean beauty products, the FDA’s cosmetic regulations have remained unchanged since they were first introduced back in 1938. Currently, only 11 ingredients are banned by the FDA, while the EU has banned well over 1,000. Brands are also technically not required to have FDA approval before going to market, meaning your cosmetics could be packed with harmful ingredients and endocrine disruptors, which are chemicals that have the ability to mimic hormones and mess with your mood, digestion, reproductive cycle, metabolism, and other functions. The beauty industry is also self-regulated, meaning there’s no organization confirming a brand’s clean beauty claims.

While any brand can label itself as “clean,” taking a closer look at labels is one way to protect yourself against products that may do more harm than good. Here are a few ingredients to keep an eye out for.



Ingredients to Avoid


Parabens


A known endocrine disruptor, parabens mimic estrogen in the body. The frequently-used preservative is linked to early onset puberty, thyroid issues, and even cancer. While most cosmetics only use a very small amount of parabens in their formulas, the ingredient is easily absorbed and, through frequent exposure over time, can cause long-term harm.

Fragrances


Perhaps the most ambiguous name on an ingredient list, “fragrance” can refer to thousands of synthetic or natural chemicals, some more harmful than others. While fragrances can cause allergies and other irritations, brands aren’t required to disclose exactly which fragrances are in their formulations, making this ingredient a tough one to avoid.

Phthalates


Phthalates, which help fragrances last, are also a significant endocrine disruptor. Known to cause birth defects, reproductive system issues, and other hormonal problems, phthalates often go hand-in-hand with fragrance on an ingredient list.

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers


Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, has come under fire in recent years. While some retailers are beginning to ban the ingredient, it’s still found in many nail polishes, lash glues, straightening treatments, and other products. What’s scary about formaldehyde is that you won’t find it on ingredient lists; instead, what you’ll see are formaldehyde releasers, which are preservatives that slowly release the chemical.



Oxybenzone and octinoxate


A common ingredient in chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone and octinoxate are harmful both to your skin and the environment. Linked to coral bleaching, these chemicals might make sunscreens easier to apply due to their lightweight feel and easy absorption, but they are also another endocrine disruptor that can lead to birth defects and hormonal problems. These days, there are plenty of physical sunscreens on the market that provide just as much protection with an equally luxurious application, all without the harmful side effects.

Triclosan


In the past year, we’ve all been obsessively washing our hands and using hand sanitizer. What you may not know is that these products can also contain triclosan, an antimicrobial chemical also known to significantly disrupt the endocrine system and cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It’s banned in several countries, and the US has moved to also ban it from hand sanitizers as it isn’t significantly more effective than just using soap and water.

Talc


Talc, a common ingredient in powder cosmetics like blush, bronzer, and eyeshadows, isn’t inherently harmful. However, talc that isn’t purified can become contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. It’s difficult to know just how pure the talc in cosmetics are without testing, so some brands are opting to use mica, cornstarch, and silica instead.

Mineral oil


A byproduct of petroleum, mineral oil is a common ingredient found in all kinds of cosmetics, including Vaseline and Aquaphor. Not only can mineral oil clog pores, but there are concerns that it can carry carcinogenic impurities, not to mention the environmental impact the petroleum industry has on the planet.



Clean Beauty Buzzwords


Under the umbrella of clean beauty, there are plenty of descriptors—organic, all-natural, non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free, sustainable-that are labeled neatly onto product packaging without any regulations regarding how they’re used. Because the FDA doesn’t control how cosmetics companies market their products, the terms themselves have become subjective and the exact meanings vary by brand. These buzzwords may give the impression that skincare and makeup brands that label themselves as "clean" are safer than others, but that isn’t accurate. While most brands have the best intentions when pursuing the clean route, it’s important to look beyond the label and decipher fact from marketing. Here’s a breakdown on common clean beauty buzzwords, with some help from Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu, the two cosmetic chemists behind Chemist Confessions Inc., who are committed to science-backed skincare and decoding product labels.

Clean


Now often used as a catchall term, clean indicates products made from ingredients that are safe for people and the environment. Clean beauty products will avoid the ingredients covered above, but that doesn’t mean all of the ingredients come from the earth. Being natural and chemical aren't mutually exclusive, and a mix of ingredients can work together for safe and effective clean makeup, skincare, and hair care, which is why Lu says, "Our definition of clean beauty is responsible formulation that is able to marry the best natural and synthetic ingredients and hold up to the highest standards of quality and safety." Moreover, in light of clean beauty being juxtaposed with clinical products, she says, "There are clean beauty brands that can target skin concerns like wrinkles and pigmentation using effective ingredients that aren't on anyone's no-no lists. On the flip side, even though clinical skincare may use ingredients with foreign, chemical names, many of these ingredients can hold up to the most rigorous safety and efficacy testings."

Organic


Certified organic beauty products will bear a USDA Organic Seal, which means that they are at least 95 percent organic and are manufactured without genetically modified organisms. Because the certification is costly for brands, independent labels may list specific ingredients that are organic, even though the product itself may not have the seal. The sourcing of organic ingredients is regulated by the Department of Agriculture, not the FDA, and Fu notes that “most ingredients go through a lot of processing before becoming an actual skincare ingredient” so the organic categorization isn’t quite as farm-to-face as one might think.

All-Natural


This is an unregulated term across the FDA, USDA, and the EU. A product that is all-natural should in theory only have natural, as in plant-based or derived from the earth, elements in its ingredients list, but oftentimes brands can get away with just one or two natural ingredients. Fu says that “plants are actually quite complex, which means more components that can invite allergens. So ‘natural’ by no means directly translates to ‘safer.’” Likewise, there are plenty of synthetic ingredients that help stabilize a product, not only making it more effective, but safer in the long run.



Non-Toxic and Chemical-Free


The non-toxic labeling can be misleading, because every beauty product sold in the U.S. adheres to this. Non-toxic indicates that the ingredients are not harmful at the levels the product is formulated with and for its proper use—in other words, they’re safe for use. Oftentimes, clean beauty brands will use “non-toxic” labeling for products that avoid ingredients that are known as harmful at any levels. According to Fu, “non-toxic” is a “fear-mongering term” in the beauty world. “What really grinds our gears are the ‘chemical-free’ (water is a chemical) and ‘preservative-free’ claims (your skincare can grow mold),” Fu says. It’s more than likely that the last two are used purely for greenwashing.

Vegan


Like with food, vegan beauty products do not contain any ingredients sourced from animals or their by-products, such as beeswax, honey, or lanolin. A vegan product is not necessarily a clean product-it can be animal-free but still be formulated with ingredients that don’t meet the clean criteria.

Cruelty-Free


Indicated by the leaping bunny symbol, this means that the product wasn’t tested on animals. But note, this is not correlated with a product being vegan.



Is Being Clean the Same as Being Sustainable?


Sustainable practices and sourcing have become an important factor in what consumers look for in fashion and beauty. While a product may tout natural ingredients, the sustainability factor is dependent on how the ingredients were sourced, the manufacturing process, and oftentimes, what kind of packaging is used. Environmentally responsible production means that common beauty ingredients like palm oil aren’t being over-harvested or causing deforestation or the disruption of natural environments. Sustainable beauty can also mean that the products are safe for the environment after-the-fact, such as reef-safe sunscreen, which protect coral reefs and other sea life from chemical pollution from ingredients found in the product.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
EU Set to Bar Big Tech from New Financial Data Access Scheme
China Bans Livestreaming and AI in Religion Amid Crackdown on Shaolin Temple Scandal
Documents Reveal Mandelson Failed to Declare Epstein-Funded Flights as MP in 2003
Dubai Property Boom Shows Strain as Flippers Get Buyer’s Remorse
Harris Memoir Sparks Backlash from Democrats for Blunt Critiques in ‘107 Days’
Germany Weighs Excluding France from Key European Fighter Jet Programme
Cyberattack Disrupts Check-in and Boarding Systems at Major European Airports
Japan’s ‘Death-Tainted’ Homes Gain Appeal as Prices Soar in Tokyo
Massive Attack Withdraws from Spotify Over Daniel Ek’s €600M Defence-AI Investment
Björn Borg Breaks Silence: Memoir Reveals Addiction, Shame and Cancer Battle
When Extremism Hijacks Idealism: How the Baader-Meinhof Gang Emerged and Fell
Top AI Researchers Are Heading Back to China as U.S. Struggles to Keep Pace
JWST Data Brings TRAPPIST-1e Closer to Earth-Like Habitability
Trump Orders Third Lethal Strike on Drug-Trafficking Vessel as U.S. Expands Maritime Counter-Narcotics Operations
Trump Orders $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas and Launches ‘Gold Card’ Immigration Pathway
Why Google Search Is Fading and AI Is Taking Its Place
UAE-US Stargate Project Poised to Make Abu Dhabi a Global AI Powerhouse
Federal Judge Dismisses Trump’s Fifteen-Billion-Dollar Suit Against New York Times, Orders Refile
France’s Looming Budget Crisis and Political Fracture Raise Fears of Becoming Europe’s “Sick Man”
Three Russian MiG-31 Jets Breach Estonian Airspace in ‘Unprecedentedly Brazen’ NATO Incident
DeepSeek Claims R1 Model Trained for only $294,000, Sparking Global Debate Over China’s AI Capabilities
SoftBank Vision Fund to Cut Nearly Twenty Percent of Staff in Bold AI Strategy Shift
Intel’s Next-Gen Manufacturing Gets a Lifeline from Nvidia’s Strategic $5B Deal
Erika Kirk Elected CEO of Turning Point USA After Husband Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
Massive Strikes in France Pressure Macron and New PM on Austerity Proposals
Trump Seeks Supreme Court Permission to Remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook
Hillary Clinton’s Reckless Rhetoric Fuels Division After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
NASDAQ Rises to Record as Intel Soars More Than 20%, Nvidia Gains 3%
Nvidia’s $5 Billion Bet on Intel Reshapes AI Hardware Landscape
Trump and Starmer Clash Over UK Recognition of Palestinian State Amid State Visit
Trump’s Quip on Biden and Google Lawsuit Revives Debate Over Antitrust Legacy
Macron and his wife to provide 'scientific photographic evidence' that she is a real woman
US Tech Giants Pledge Billions to UK AI Infrastructure Following Starmer's Call
Saudi Arabia cracks down on music ‘lounges’ after conservative backlash
DeepMind and OpenAI Achieve Gold at ‘Coding Olympics’ in AI Milestone
SEC Allows Public Companies to Block Investors from Class-Action Lawsuits
Saudi Arabia Signs ‘Strategic Mutual Defence’ Pact with Pakistan, Marking First Arab State to Gain Indirect Access to Nuclear Strike Capabilities in the Region
Federal Reserve Cuts Rates by Quarter Point and Signals More to Come
Effective and Impressive Generation Z Protest: Images from the Riots in Nepal
European manufacturers against ban on polluting cars: "The industry may collapse"
Sam Altman sells the 'Wedding Estate' in Hawaii for 49 million dollars
Trump: Cancel quarterly company reports and settle for reporting once every six months
Turkish car manufacturer Togg Enters German Market with 5-Star Electric Sedan and SUV to Challenge European EV Brands
US Launches New Pilot Program to Accelerate eVTOL Air Taxi Deployment
Christian Brueckner Released from German Prison after Serving Unrelated Sentence
World’s Longest Direct Flight China Eastern to Launch 29-Hour Shanghai–Buenos Aires Direct Flight via Auckland in December
New OpenAI Study Finds Majority of ChatGPT Use Is Personal, Not Professional
Hong Kong Industry Group Calls for HK$20 Billion Support Fund to Ease Property Market Stress
Joe Biden’s Post-Presidency Speaking Fees Face Weak Demand amid Corporate Reluctance
Charlie Kirk's murder will break the left's hateful cancel tactics
×