When it comes to the world of beauty and skincare, the rise of the clean beauty movement has sparked significant discussions about the ingredients used in various products. While natural ingredients are often championed, the use of “non-natural” ingredients has led to a persistent dilemma within the clean beauty sphere. Many consumers find themselves questioning which non-natural ingredients are acceptable and safe to use in their beauty routines. That’s why we have decided to shed light on the ingredients that have rightfully garnered acceptance.
Synthetic Fragrances
One of the most heated debates in the clean beauty community is the use of synthetic scents. While some claim that synthetic scents may trigger irritations to the skin and allergic responses, others claim that they provide a more stable and constant fragrance profile than natural perfumes. However, many clean beauty advocates recommend using products that contain plant-based essential oils or natural scents obtained from botanical sources, emphasizing the significance of transparency and limiting possible irritants in beauty products. Our opinion? If you can tolerate scents, and even enjoy them – it’s fine. However, if you’re someone with super sensitive and reactive skin – rather stay away from them.
Preservatives
Preservatives are essential in extending the shelf life and stability of cosmetic products. They inhibit the growth of potentially dangerous bacteria and fungi. While some preservatives, such as parabens, have raised concerns about their potential for endocrine disruption, other alternatives, such as phenoxyethanol and benzyl alcohol, have gained acceptance within the clean beauty community. This is due to their effectiveness in preserving product integrity without posing significant risks to human health. The use of alternative preservatives that emphasize consumer safety and product performance is still a hot topic in the ongoing debate. That’s why we can’t tell you if you should use them or not. But we do know one thing – we would rather have preservatives in our products than harmful bacteria.
Silicones
Silicones are commonly used in skincare and hair care products for their smoothing and emollient properties. While some argue that silicones create a barrier on the skin, potentially trapping debris and impeding the skin’s natural functions, others maintain that certain forms of silicones can provide effective hydration and create a smooth, even surface. And don’t even get us started about the use of silicones in hair care. Even though there are numerous forms of silicones on the market available nowadays, most consumers think that all of them are the same. We have to be honest – we’re more than fine with silicones in both skincare and hair care! They will not only protect your hair strands and skin from outside factors, but they can also make your hair more manageable and your skin baby smooth.
Petroleum-Derived Ingredients
Petroleum-derived ingredients, such as mineral oil and petrolatum, have been subject to scrutiny within the clean beauty community. This is due to concerns over potential skin occlusion and environmental impact. Some argue that petroleum-derived ingredients may create a barrier that inhibits the skin’s natural functions. Others emphasize the importance of using pharmaceutical-grade petroleum-derived ingredients that undergo stringent purification processes. But do you know what petroleum-derived ingredients even are? One of the most commonly used ones is good old Vaseline! Others include things such as paraffinum liquidum. Truth be told, most petroleum-deriverd ingredients are more than safe to use. Especially after undergoing the purification process.
