What is ‘Clean Beauty?’ Embracing the Natural Skin Care Movement

Something a lot of women don’t consider is the safety of their cosmetics. They tend to go after big brands, even though that often entails exposing their delicate skin and hair to dangerous substances. That’s exactly what the Clean Beauty movement is here to change!

What Exactly is ‘Clean Beauty?’

“Clean Beauty” refers to self-care products that do not contain any harsh or bad chemicals, such as parabens, sulfates, triclosan, formaldehyde, and silica. These ingredients can damage your skin and hair and pose a known health threat. For example, prolonged paraben exposure has been linked to hormonal imbalance in young girls and pregnant women.

Another common care ingredient is sodium laureth sulfate, which is a version of sodium lauryl sulfate, a harsh cleanser, that has gone through a process known as ethoxylation to become less harsh. The problem with ethoxylation is that it created 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen, that is then left in the product.

Formaldehyde, yet another popular ingredient has been listed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as another carcinogen. Three common care ingredients, three health concerns. And most care products list dozens of ingredients!

Clean beauty products are usually derived from natural sources that are healthy both for you and the environment and will contain as few of these unhealthy ingredients as possible, and, often, none at all. That’s a big reason to embrace this natural skincare movement.

How can Perfume be Bad for You?

If you take a closer look at most product labels, you’ll see the term “perfume” or “fragrance” included with the other ingredients. What these companies don’t tell you about fragrance, however, is that it usually contains phthalates, a plasticizer that is quite common in skincare products, and that has been linked to breast cancer.

Products with fragrance can also easily cause skin irritation and result in stressed skin. In fact, most people who suffer from acne are advised to keep away from products that contain artificial fragrance, as these phthalates can affect their already-sensitive hormone levels and irritate their skin, making the acne worse. The same goes for eczema and other skin afflictions.

Embracing Clean Beauty is Easier than You Might Think

People tend to assume that clean products are expensive or difficult to find. But those are myths. With more and more information available about bad ingredients, many beauty brands are adjusting their formulations and becoming more transparent about what they put in products. You can easily find great choices for less with a Derm Store promo code online.

With more information becoming available, it’s easier than before for you to do your own research and figure out which ingredients you want near your skin. You can also avoid those products that have formulations that don’t align with being “clean.”

Concluding Words: Start Easy

You don’t have to go clean and green all at once; it can be a gradual change instead. Start with a clean moisturizer or body lotion like AHA body lotion and work your way up from there, for example. Finding clean alternatives to your skincare products can help you feel good about your purchases. And this positive impact can then inspire you to look for clean alternatives for other products, such as conditioners and body washes.