Consumers have driven a 10% in demand for natural beauty, but how do you know what you’re using is truly natural? When you think of “clean beauty,” what comes to mind? You may think it’s products that have no chemicals… products that are “natural” or “pure,” right? You’re certainly not wrong, but there’s much more to it than that.
What is clean beauty?
Technically speaking, there is no one definition of ‘clean’ beauty. And it’s not enough to assume that all natural products are clean or that all products containing synthetic ingredients are harmful in fact. Certain natural ingredients (such as lead) are proven to be very harmful, and you may be shocked to learn that the FDA doesn’t approve skin and beauty care products (both natural and chemical-laden) before they end up on the shelves. This means that the onus is on you, as the consumer, to be a lot more vigilant and wary of what you’re using; especially when a minimum of one toxic, cancer-linked chemical was present in upwards of 40 percent of “natural” products (according to the March 14, 2008, OCA report).
How do I know I’m using clean beauty products?
What makes things so much more confusing of course is the packaging of seemingly harmless beauty and skincare products which boast labels with terms like “eco,” “pure,” “botanical,” and even “all-natural” on the front. To the average consumer, these “free from” marketing tactics is enough to warrant not even a second thought or questioning! But if you really want to get to the root of what clean beauty means, it all starts at the back of the label with the full ingredients list.
Harmful toxins and synthetic ingredients hide behind confusing terms, but in this article, we’re going to give you the vital information you need to make informed decisions about the products you use and how to know whether they’re truly clean or ingredients that really lurk in the bottle
Which are the top harmful ingredients hidden in beauty products?
The list of ingredients to avoid is quite in-depth and we could write pages on them. Instead, we’ll share this list from the Environmental Working Group with you and explore just four of the most common ingredients you should always look out for on your product labels:
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Parabens
Parabens are the most widely used synthetic preservatives, meaning you’re likely to find them in the majority of your cosmetics and skin care products. Parabens may mimic the hormone estrogen in the body’s cells and this increase of estrogen in the body can increase the risk of women’s cancers such as ovarian cancer and breast cancer. In fact, a small study conducted in 2004 showed parabens found in the breast tissue of breast tumors.
Parabens are commonly listed on ingredient labels as: methylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, and ethylparaben.
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Sulfates
Sulfates are additives added to products to produce that foamy lather that may seem innocent, but behind which lies a dark secret. They are corrosive agents, most often used in floor cleaners and according to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, Sodium Laurel Sulfate is a “moderate hazard” that has been linked to cancer, organ toxicity, neurotoxicity, skin irritation, and endocrine disruption.
Don’t be fooled by “sulfate-free” labels either, many ingredients are simply one or two atoms away from being a sulfate.
Sulfates are commonly listed on ingredient labels as: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Isoethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isoethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isoethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, and Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate.
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Artificial fragrance
Artificial fragrance is a class of toxic chemicals that may provide an intoxicating scent to beauty products, but are so full of chemicals, they soon lose their appeal when you become more familiar with the dangers.
Chemical fragrances can cause allergies, respiratory issues, dizziness, brain fog, and nausea; but over time may also increase your risk of disease. In fact, when tested, it was found that upwards of 17 hidden, or “secret” fragrances were found in popular beauty scents.
Artificial fragrance is commonly listed on ingredient labels as: fragrance, musk, perfume, parfum, and natural fragrance.
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PEGs
Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) are compounds used in cosmetics for many different reasons, from providing cleansing action to conditioning the skin.
While PEGs themselves may be okay in small amounts, many are contaminated with carcinogenic impurities during the manufacturing process, making them an ingredient to best avoid.
PEGs are commonly listed on ingredient labels as: PEG-2, PEG-9 stearate, ethylene oxide, and 1,4-dioxane.
How can I get started with a truly clean beauty routine?
Let those chemicals go and welcome in ingredients that will nourish you from the inside out. We believe that beauty is beyond skin deep; your inner health is reflected in the appearance of your skin and since everything you apply externally is absorbed into your body, it truly is something to think about.
Nourish and revitalize your skin with vitamins and nutrients
The first step in making the switch over to a clean and pure skincare routine is to make sure you are using products free from all above-mentioned culprits.
Our gorgeous atma face oil will prepare your skin for a day of luminosity by infusing it with a deep dose of vitamins and nutrients, scientifically proven to provide glowing, dewy results. This oil perfectly pairs with your current skincare regimen and drenches your skin in an abundance of elegant, silky oils including argan, apricot, jojoba, safflower, aromatic rose, and Indian sandalwood. This beautiful oil will nourish and revitalize your skin, and keep it deeply hydrated and protected against free radicals all day long. You’ll enjoy a shimmering, flawless finish, yet it absorbs fully and will never leave your skin feeling greasy.
Sensitive skin adores this gentle formula and its light, fragrant scent will lift the spirits and leave you feeling sensual and confident as you go about your day.
It’s about more than your skin, use cruelty-free and vegan products
As animal lovers, this is an absolutely essential factor for us, therefore you will never hear that our products contain animal by-products or are tested on animals.
Many companies are very vague about this, but clean skincare is about more than just your skin. It’s about using products that have not harmed any living things in their journey towards your hands and your skin.
Simplify your beauty routine
While you may have slowly started to add natural, clean products to your current regimen, now might be the time to make the switch for good and say goodbye to any conventional products that may still be in your beauty cabinet or littering your countertop.
For a wonderful overnight revival treatment that does the job of multiple conventional products (but without the toxins of course) try the saya face oil, our elegant night revival oil, brimming in refreshing grapefruit and beautiful Indian Jasmine to balance, soothe and nourish.
We are firm believers in “less is more” as long as you’re using the highest quality ingredients.
If you’re looking for a brand you can trust, one that is completely transparent with nothing to hide, only beautiful, cruelty-free products to share that will transform your skin and treat you to a level of pure pampering bliss you have never known before, then look no further than amaiaa.
We cannot wait for you to see what truly clean beauty is all about!
