What Does Clean Beauty Actually Mean?

IS CLEAN BEAUTY ACTUALLY CLEAN? 

The lack of clear regulations in the beauty industry has led to some bad science and fear-mongering. “Clean” or “natural” doesn’t always mean a product is chemical-free after-all, all natural ingredients are, of course, chemicals. Same as “synthetic” doesn’t mean it is bad. The clean beauty movement isn’t perfect; it’s evolving and our goal as a company is to evolve with it.

Another crucial aspect of any truly clean beauty brand is transparent labelling. This means being 100% honest about all of the ingredients used in the product. Here at Shay and Blue, we label all of our ingredients for our products on our website showing you what is naturally derived from synthesis. 

Don’t get it confused—clean beauty isn’t necessarily organic. While many times you’ll find organic ingredients in a clean beauty product, it doesn’t have to have organic ingredients to be considered clean beauty. While organic ingredients are always nice to have, the ingredients used aren’t unsafe just because they’re not organic. 

MYTH BUSTING

When brands use the term “free from”, this scares consumers into believing other brands are using harmful chemicals in their products. This is not always the case and the use of parabens and silicones are not always a bad thing. Silicones have been known to “block pores” and be bad for acne prone and sensitive skin types, however, scientists have shown with proper removal with cleansers, skin is left perfectly happy. The term ‘natural skincare’ lacks a precise definition and is interpreted in different ways. Mainly when some brands say ‘natural’, they are referring to products made with plant-based ingredients. There is a sense that if something is derived from nature, it must be safer than its synthetic counterpart. However, these products aren’t necessarily any safer or even more gentle on the skin. 

IS CLEAN BEAUTY GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN?

Switching to clean beauty is not only beneficial for your skin but your gut health and overall wellbeing. While we may think organic food is the main focus of lowering your toxic load and digestive health, we absorb many harsh chemicals and toxins through the products we use on our skin which impact our health and microbiome.

One of the reasons why clean beauty has become popular is that it appeals to people seeking out products that they perceive as healthier for their skin and bodies. However, is clean beauty really better for you? Not always. Often it is much more useful to understand the ingredients used in products and their benefits on the body. This allows you to make informed decisions as  what may or may not be good for you. Nevertheless, at Shay & Blue we not only publish all the ingredients in our products, however we do align to the banned ingredients list of Spehora which we believe to be a great example if ingredients that are not great for most people.

Here are some reasons why you may want to consider making the switch: 

1. Skin irritation: Many chemical cosmetics contain harsh chemicals, such as parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances, which can irritate the skin and cause redness, itching, and other forms of irritation including breaking your skin barrier.
2. Hormone disruption: Some chemicals found in cosmetics, such as phthalates, can interfere with hormone production, which can have negative impacts on your health, mood, and other bodily functions.
3. Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to certain chemicals found in cosmetics, such as formaldehyde or nickel, which can cause severe allergic reactions and even anaphylaxis in some cases.
4. Environmental damage: Many chemicals found in cosmetics can be harmful to the environment, especially when they are not properly disposed of. For example, some chemicals can contaminate waterways and harm aquatic life, while others can contribute to air pollution.
5. Long-term health effects: There is some evidence to suggest that exposure to certain chemicals found in cosmetics over a long period of time could increase the risk of certain health problems, such as cancer, reproductive issues, and developmental disorders.