A Beginners Guide To Clean Beauty Products

Clean beauty products are becoming more popular as people strive for a healthier lifestyle. Consumers are more aware of the ingredients in their skincare, haircare, and makeup, and are looking for products that are more wholesome. Initially, switching to clean beauty products can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.

With a little research, you can find affordable and quality alternatives that work well for your skin type and lifestyle. This guide will help you understand what clean beauty products are, and how you can seamlessly transition them into your routines. Let’s begin!

Related: Top 20 Sustainable Clothing Brands You’ll Want To Buy in 2022

What Are Clean Beauty Products?

There is no one definitive definition of a “clean beauty product.” The term is used to describe products that don’t contain harmful ingredients like petroleum, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and chemicals. There are tens of thousands of toxic personal care ingredients used in today’s beauty products, so consumers and beauty enthusiasts should do their research before investing in any such products.

However, clean beauty is about more than just avoiding harmful chemicals. It’s also about using products that are more nourishing, taking into consideration the compatibility of ingredients with skin and their purity. There are many botanical ingredients that could be questionable, and many synthetic chemicals that are produced ethically and are more skin-friendly. Over the last few years, the definition of clean beauty has transcended into something much more than just toxin-free and skin-friendly products. With the term “sustainable beauty”, this concept also urges consumers to pose questions like:

• is the product packaging recyclable?
• have the ingredients been sourced ethically?
• are the factory workers being paid fairly?
• is the brand eco-conscious?

…before making their purchase from any brand.

How Do I Switch To Clean Beauty Products?

Transitioning from a “regular” beauty routine to a clean beauty routine is much like going from eating junk food to adopting healthier food habits. It may take time to get used to, but eventually, you won’t even notice the difference.

Making the switch to clean beauty doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, it can be fun! To get started, you’ll need to learn a little bit about the ugly side of the beauty industry, familiarize yourself with ingredient lists, and do some research.

There are clean beauty products available in nearly every facet of personal care, including facial care, makeup, and teeth whitening. If you’re looking for something specific, it’s likely that you can find a clean option. Here are a few tips that can help smoothen your transition to a clean beauty routine!

Know Your Terminology

One of the most important things when switching to clean beauty products is to familiarize yourself with the good ingredients as well as the bad. When it comes to choosing cosmetics, you may already know that it’s important to avoid ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and preservatives. You may also look for labels that indicate the product is all-natural, organic, or green.

However, while such labels are generally helpful, some can be misleading at times. It’s better to trust your own knowledge when it comes to buying toxin-free products. These are some of the ingredients and chemicals you need to avoid when looking for clean beauty products:

• Parabens
• Fragrance
• Chemical UV filters Octinoxate and Oxybenzone
• Diethanolamine (DEA)
• Triclosan
• Phthalates
• Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS)
• Formaldehyde
• Polyethylene (PEGs)
• Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
• Aluminum compounds
• Synthetic colorants
• Hydroquinone

And these are some of the “keywords” that most clean beauty products will have on their packaging:

• Non-toxic
• Plant-based
• Organic
• Green
• Natural
• Sustainable
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Vitamins
• Antioxidants

Switch the Main Products First

There are two ways to prioritize which products to replace first:

(1) the products you use every day, like moisturizer, foundation, and mascara, and

(2) the products that are most likely to contain toxic ingredients, like shampoo, deodorant, and sunscreen.

The great thing about clean beauty is that the products are just as effective as the ones you are used to. The only difference is that they are made without all the bad stuff we want you to avoid.

To begin your sustainable beauty journey, these are the product categories you should ideally start swapping out first:

• Deodorant
• Sunscreen
• Mascara
• Face wash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shower gel/soap
• Moisturizer
• Foundation

Know the Brands

There is a multitude of beauty brands that solely focus on clean beauty products, most of which were started with the aim to promote sustainable beauty. Some clean beauty brands you should know of are:

• Kosas
• Tower 28
• EXA
• Ilia Beauty
• Saie
• RMS Beauty
• W3LL PEOPLE
• Ursa Major

Related: 5 Stellar Sustainable Activewear Brands For You in 2022

When it comes to your beauty routine, using clean products is a great way to protect your health and wellbeing. While there are many toxic ingredients to avoid, there are plenty of items that can make you look amazing without impacting your health.

The first step in making the switch to clean beauty is deciding to go non-toxic. Once you’ve made that decision, learning how to make the change is easy! The future of beauty is looking clean, so keep an open mind and you too can be part of the movement.

We at Carrot sincerely hope that one day, there will be more clean beauty products than chemical-based ones. Until then, we can help you with your search for the best products for you!