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The modern beauty industry offers a wide range of products and formulations, catering to every skin type and any possible skin concern. As cosmetics consumers have become more savvy, brands focus not only on creating effective products but on being transparent, conscious and clean, as well. It is important to know what we put on our skin, what to avoid and what to look for. There are many different elements in clean beauty and it is essential to understand what they really mean, in order to recognize why clean cosmetics is good for you and the world around you.

The Meaning of Clean Cosmetics

The general information on clean beauty can be a bit scarce or incomplete at times. The world of clean cosmetics can be pretty nuanced but in essence, it refers to formulations that are free from potentially harmful and irritating ingredients. Usually, instead of these ingredients, there will be blends of plants, vitamins, minerals and botanical extracts used to help skin restore its optimum health. It also includes ethically made products by conscious brands that commit to cruelty-free and vegan ranges, so that animal populations are not disturbed and harmed.

Here are some of the categories and terms in the clean beauty world:

Cruelty-Free

This means that the products have not been tested on animals and don’t imply animal testing in any step of the production process. Such products usually have the Leaping Bunny logo which means that these brands have verified that neither they nor their suppliers conduct, commission, or pay for any tests on animals for their ingredients, formulations, or finished products. A brand like the Vegoglam brand, can be cruelty-free without carrying the Leaping Bunny logo but it’s considered the gold standard because every step of the way is verified and confirmed.

Vegan

Vegan products are products made without using any animal or animal-derived ingredients (such as beeswax, honey and carmine, for example). Nowadays, vegan products are usually cruelty-free but it is not always the case. Vegan refers to where ingredients come from, while cruelty-free touches on the process of creation and also the following testing step. 

‘Free-from’

There is not a specific definition for this category but it is usually helpful for people with allergies, sensitive and redness-prone skin. Some of the most common ingredients that clean beauty brands avoid include: sulfates (SLS and SLES), formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, drying alcohols and parabens.

Green

This usually means that products are made in an environment-friendly way. It might include minimizing packaging, using recycled materials to make packaging, or using glass or paper packaging instead of plastic. It may also refer to using solar energy to power the brands factories or that their ingredients won’t pollute the ecosystem when you wash them off.

Clean beauty is not just a trend, it is a new standard for cosmetics safety for conscious consumers who want to protect their health and the planet we live on. It is an exciting category that will continue to grow and that is why at The Vegan Cosmetics Store we want to make vegan and cruelty-free brands with integrity more accessible for you. For a better, healthier you!