When we read about Clean Beauty, it’s always hard to recognize where does the marketing stunt ends, and where the truth begins. If you’re coming right after reading my article on How to Spot Truly Sustainable Skincare, you already know what there is to know about the current eco-labels in the market.
Many skincare products claim to be “natural,” “eco-friendly,” or “non-toxic.” But it wasn’t until the introduction of the term “clean” in our skincare products that people started meticulously reading the ingredient lists. The result has been a revolution that is reshaping the beauty industry, starting the clean beauty industry. In this article, I will go over why the terminology “clean” made such a change, what it means, and how you can build a clean skincare routine.
What is Clean Beauty?
Today, there’s consensus in the industry that clean refers to products that favor natural ingredients yet often incorporate synthetics deemed safe for people and the planet. So, clean beauty does not mean chemical-free.
This term is used to describe products that are free from harmful chemicals, not chemicals. A product free from synthetic components would fall under “natural,” meaning its components can be naturally found in our environment. So, this brings us to two types of artificial components: the ones that are safe for prolonged exposure to humans and the harmful ones with long-term unwanted side effects. In written testimony to a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, Faber said that 617 cosmetics makers have reported using 93 chemicals linked to cancer, congenital disabilities, or reproductive harm in more than 81,000 products.
The Clean Beauty Movement: Why it Matters
Clean beauty is more than just a trend or a marketing word; it is a holistic approach to skincare and beauty that emphasizes using products with minimal impact on both your body and the environment. It goes beyond personal benefits; it also positively affects the environment. Traditional beauty products often contain pollutants that can harm ecosystems and wildlife when they end up in waterways or the soil.
Clean beauty products are usually biodegradable and eco-friendly, making them a better choice for the planet. Additionally, it promotes products with ingredients tested for unwanted long-term side effects.
Identifying Toxic Ingredients in Beauty Products
Do any of us know what is written on the ingredients list? Have you heard of most of the components of your daily facial cream? Who checks, controls, and regulates these combinations of potentially harmful chemicals we use daily? In her statement before the United States government, Jane Houlihan, the National Director of Science and Health at the NGO Healthy Babies Bright Futures, answers this question:
“The vast majority of ingredients (in cosmetics) have not been assessed for safety by the CIR, the FDA, or any other publicly accountable body. (…) Companies are free to use almost any ingredient they choose in personal care products, with no proof of safety required. (…) The FDA does not know the extent of health impacts from harmful ingredients in cosmetics.“
Toxic chemicals found in conventional beauty products have been linked to various health issues, from skin irritation to hormone disruption and even potential carcinogenic effects. Learning to recognize harmful ingredients in the ingredient lists allows you to make informed choices about the products you use daily.
Building a Clean Skincare Routine
Once you know The Benefits of Using Natural Ingredients in Your Daily Skincare Routine, you’ll want to immediately implement a clean skincare routine. Transitioning to this routine may initially seem overwhelming, but it will be a rewarding experience for you, your skin, and our world.
In The Morning
Step 1: Cleansing
Start your day cleansing the night away. If you have oily skin, try a cleansing, illuminating, and balancing cleanser such as the Spirulina & Moringa Clarifying Cleanser. This revolutionary way to start your day profoundly cleanses and hydrates your skin. Our unique formula is rich in vitamin C and mineral-rich agents that leave your skin nourished and glowing. If you have dry or sensitive skin, a quick rinse with water is all you need.
Spirulina & Moringa
A foaming gel cleanser that targets impurities, radiance and balances oil for clear, comfortably skin.
Step 2: Nourishing and Protecting
Once cleansed, your skin will need a boost of protection against the harmful free radicals of the day. This C-COMPLEX DROPS | Revitalizing Serum has a lightweight, non-greasy formula with natural antioxidant ingredients. These protect the skin against environmental damage, help correct uneven skin tone, and minimize the appearance of acne scarring. After this step, apply your SPF moisturizer to safeguard your skin from UV rays.
C-Complex Drops
The C-Complex Drops Revitalizing Serum contain an optimal concentration of 8% Vitamin C that’s stable, easily absorbed and gentle on the skin.
In The Evening
Step 1: Nightly Cleansing
Start by choosing a gentle, natural cleanser that effectively removes dirt and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural oils, like Fields of Yarrow’s Nectar de Rose Cleansing Oil. This nourishing oil cleanser is formulated with jojoba, argan, olive oil, and rosehip oil to gently clarify and restore the skin without over-drying it for healthy, dewy-looking skin.
Nectar de Rose
A nourishing oil cleanser formulated with jojoba, argan, olive oil, and rosehip oil to gently clarify and restore the skin without over-drying it for healthy, dewy-looking skin.
Step 2: Nightly Repairing and nourishing
Treat your skin. This is the moment to use any products for your specific skin concerns. If you want a product that can help with an array of smaller concerns, I recommend the Marigold & Moringa | Night Treatment Oil. It is full of antioxidants, helping repair the skin from environmental harm and keeping your complexion young and healthy. Marigold deeply soothe the skin while Moringa Oil and Extract are packed with fatty acids and Vitamins A, B, C, and E to help nourish the skin. Safflower Oil is a gentle moisturizer and helps soften the skin. Hibiscus tones, and exfoliates, and allantoin can help soothe and hydrate dry skin. Finally, Kombucha is a natural source of lactic acid, which helps renew the skin. Now lock that gold in with your moisturizer. No need to apply one with SPF at night.
Marigold & Moringa
Formulated with natural plant superpowers – Marigold, Moringa Oil and Extract, Safflower Oil, Hibiscus, Allantoin and Kombucha – to help you restore your skin’s natural glow as you sleep.
Products featured in these clean beauty skincare routines
Here’s a handy list of all the Fields of Yarrow’s 100% clean, natural and tested products, featuring high concentration of all the aforementioned natural ingredients.
Spirulina & Moringa
C-COMPLEX DROPS
Nectar de Rose
Marigold & Moringa
Pro Tip on Reading Ingredient Lists
Product labels are seldom regulated; they can be confusing and sometimes misleading. Labels like “natural,” “clean,” “non-toxic,” and “green” can be particularly deceptive because there’s no universally accepted definition for these terms in the skincare industry. In many cases, they’re only marketing terms with no scientific backing; just put there to make you buy the product. Learning to read ingredient lists and understand certifications can help you make informed choices and save some money. Certifications like “EWG Verified” or “COSMOS Organic” are reliable indicators of cleaner products. Also, using websites such as the INCI Decoder can give you all the information you need on those ingredients that you need a PhD to decipher.
