Clean Beauty: What Is It & Why Should You Care?

If you find yourself confused over the term Clean Beauty and what it actually means, you’re not alone. Beauty buzzwords like clean, organic, and even natural have yet to be regulated, which means that brands can misuse them and/or apply their own definitions. 

Many people assume that clean means chemical-free –  but that doesn’t make sense – all ingredients are chemicals, whether they are synthetically manufactured or harvested from nature.

If you're the type of person who values wellness and detoxification, both in terms of diet and products, you should clearly understand what clean beauty means for you and then search for brands that align with your values.

In this post, we separate science from science fiction to tell you what clean beauty actually means and why it matters for your beauty life.

What is clean beauty?

Clean indicates products made from ingredients that are safe for people and the environment. The problem with this definition is that it’s open to interpretation. Most people want to avoid toxic ingredients in their beauty routine, but cosmetic marketing can be murky. Which is why you need to delve into a brand’s own definition of clean and make sure that their values match yours.

There are over 1300 harmful ingredients banned under EU cosmetics regulations, while US regulations ban just 11. At JuanaSkin, we ban over 2000 potentially harmful ingredients from our products. 

No one wants to slather toxins onto their skin, and choosing products that allow you to live a clean and natural beauty life shouldn’t require a phD in chemistry! Read on to find out the truth about clean.

Wait! What do you mean by toxins?

Well, did you know that the average woman useds 12 personal care products daily and is exposed to hundreds of chemicals? – none of which is required to be tested for safety!

Scientists have found that many of these chemicals are related to cancer, asthma, birth defects and fertility problems. In many cases, manufacturers don't even have to list their ingredients on their packages or websites, so there's no way for you to know what you're really getting.

Does natural mean clean?

Clean beauty products are free of toxic or potentially harmful ingredients, but keep in mind these ingredients can be natural or synthetic. Natural does not necessarily mean clean – there are many natural ingredients that are toxic for human health. 

But many people prefer the idea of natural cosmetics because natural ingredients are more sustainable and mostly better for overall health. And provided that optimal concentrations are present, natural ingredients are high-performing.

Ingredients harvested from plants – think shea butter, macadamia oil, vegan hyaluronic acid, argan oil – are bioavailable for skin.  They are ingredients that the skin can easily recognise and absorb which lessens the risk of irritation and skin stress. 

But back to the question. Does natural mean clean? Not always, but a reputable natural skincare brand will advocate for clean. As a consumer, what you need to do is establish a brand’s point of view on clean and shop for brands that are grounded in a ‘free from’ ingredients perspective.

Why should you care?

There’s a long list of cosmetic ingredient ‘nasties’ that are potentially harmful for human health, among them SLS, parabens, artificial fragrance, triclosan, and many more.

When your skin is stressed, ingredients like these fuel the fires of inflammation. Stressed skin is skin that is craving balance, and ingredients that trigger irritation should be avoided. 

Skin irritants are mostly found in the base of many conventional skincare products as the emulsifiers, preservatives, and surfactants that make up these formulas. When you use them over time, skin becomes sensitised and inflamed.

In a nutshell, here’s why you should care about a brand’s stance on clean:

• If your skin is sensitive, harsh or toxic ingredients will strip it and make it worse
• If you care about living a healthy, non-toxic lifestyle, choosing clean and natural beauty products is a must
• If you care about the environment, toxin-free, natural beauty is the way forward

It’s worth noting that clean extends beyond what’s good for human health. It’s also about what’s good for the environment. Products should be safe for the user and the environment. Clean products are ethically produced and contain only sustainably sourced ingredients that don’t compromise the health of the planet, or your skin.

Ultimately, you should treat your skin and your world just like you do your mental health when you’re stressed: gently and with care. For that, choosing clean and natural is best.

What JuanaClean means

At Juana, we have defined our own strict standards of what we call clean beauty.

At Juana, Clean Beauty means a product that is safe for people and the planet. It is a non-toxic, plant-based product that is mindfully created, ethically sourced and made with both human and environmental health in mind. 

With over 2000 potentially harmful ingredients banned from our products, we harness the power of farm-fresh CBD and combine it with therapeutic botanical extracts to create clinically-proven formulations that work in the most natural way.

JuanaClean means natural, free from toxins, and high-performing so that you get a truly clean and natural beauty ritual that balances your mind, your skin, and your body. 

At  Juana Skin, we create natural, safe, high-quality, CBD products that are clinically tested and proven to work.