What is Clean Beauty ?

By now, most of us have heard of the clean beauty movement. But what is it exactly? Do clean products work as effectively as the more “traditional” products? We are here to break it all down and get to the Root of the topic.

What is Clean Beauty?

Clean beauty refers to skincare and cosmetic products that are safe to use and are free of toxic and harmful ingredients. Most people would agree that beautiful skin should not come at the expense of our health and wellbeing. With information available at our fingertips, women are more aware of the dangers caused by harmful chemicals and are now looking to replace these with clean, non-toxic products that are effective, and results driven.  

Do Your Homework

Unfortunately, some brands make the claim to be clean, but don’t actually practice what they preach. Use of the term “clean” is not regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to read labels carefully and to do your own research. A quick Google search will help you learn the purpose of each ingredient and if it’s safe for your skin.  Some examples of common toxic ingredients to look out for include phthalates, sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, artificial fragrances, dyes, talc, and so many more. These ingredients can be listed under multiple names, so we recommend you look up each ingredient as it’s listed on the back panel. Make sure you are doing your homework before incorporating new products into your skincare routine.

Effectiveness of Clean Products

Truly clean skincare should not only be safe to use, but also effective and luxurious. Every ingredient should have a purpose and be beneficial to the objectives of the product. While this may feel like new territory to some, the movement to clean formulas has been going on for quite some time. Because of this, there are now several clean ingredient options that are highly effective and that can help you achieve your beauty and skincare goals.  A natural benefit of clean products is that they are far less likely to cause irritation, allergic reactions, and breakouts since they are free from harsh ingredients.

Feeling luxurious isn’t something we have to skimp on either. Excluding the harsh irritants makes way for the superior ingredients that are not only safe, but make products feel amazing on your skin. Enviable skin isn’t all that we are looking for in a good skincare routine. The look and feel of the products have to wow us as well. Texture, consistency, color, and the way a product feels when we apply it matters just as much as the end result. Our daily skin care routine is a time for us to focus on ourselves if only for a short moment. With clean skin care products, you can really enjoy this moment and feel like your most luxurious self.

What Does it All Mean?

To cut through the confusion and bring some clarity, we’ve compiled a list of the common skincare terms to help you make better choices that benefit both you and the environment. Its important to keep in mind that most of these terms are not regulated and some companies will use them to inaccurately advertise. Remember to always do your research before buying in to a brand’s product claims.

Clean - Clean ingredients are those that are safe for human use and are free of toxic and harmful ingredients. These can come in the form of synthetic, natural, or even naturally derived ingredients.

Sustainable – Sustainable ingredients are responsibly sourced and are produced through processes that are not harmful to the environment. They are made from renewable materials that have a smaller impact on the environment than their natural counterparts. These types of practices and ingredients help fight against the depletion of natural resources. Furthermore, when sustainable products are rinsed down the drain, they do not cause harm to marine animals or their ecosystems.

Synthetic - Synthetic ingredients are formulated from compounds that naturally occur and are replicated using laboratory techniques. Synthetics are cleaner in the sense that they isolate potent compounds and eliminate impurities that we’d rather avoid applying to our skin. They also make it possible to utilize some of the best and most beneficial ingredients in a way that minimizes harm to the environment. Synthetic ingredients can also be safer to use and more effective than those that are considered natural.

Natural – Natural simply refers to ingredients that are produced in nature. They are thought to be free of any synthetic elements including dyes and fragrances. Sometimes natural is mistaken as being the same as clean or organic. But not all natural ingredients are clean nor are they all organic. In fact, some natural ingredients can be too harsh for our skin as they are very potent and can cause irritation. Natural ingredients can also have a negative impact on the environment due to depletion of natural resources. The use of this term is unregulated, so companies are free to use it for advertising even if their product isn’t truly natural.

Organic – Organic ingredients are considered those that have been grown without any artificial elements including synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. To bear the official USDA Organic Seal, a product must contain at least 95% organic ingredients. A main goal behind organic farming is to have less of a negative impact on the environment.

Vegan – Refers to products that do not contain any animal by-products or any ingredients that came from animals. Honey and beeswax are examples of common non-vegan ingredients used in clean products. While these ingredients and others are safe and non-toxic, they are not vegan as they were sourced from animals.

Cruelty Free – Products are never tested on animals during any stage of the manufacturing process of the product itself or the ingredients. As well, products and ingredients do not cause any harm to animals during production. Some people use the terms vegan and cruelty free interchangeably, but this is incorrect. An ingredient can be cruelty free but not vegan, and vice versa.

Back to Your Roots

At Roots & Roses, we formulate clean skincare for women who, like us, believe that beauty is simple, honest, and in harmony with nature. Our goal is to develop innovative and effective formulations that help women to achieve healthy, bright, youthful looking skin, while minimizing our environmental footprint. With this in mind, we’ve developed our flagship product, an encapsulated Vitamin C Brightening Serum. This serum is clean, sustainable, all vegan, and is free from any toxic ingredients. Roots & Roses is a certified cruelty-free company by Leaping Bunny and our Vitamin C Brightening Serum meets all Sephora Clean Standards. The Roots & Roses mission is to give women an effective and enjoyable moment of self-love with superior skincare products that are honest and clean.

Shop Roots & Roses here for skincare products that are not only safe and sustainable, but luxurious as well.