London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Oct 08, 2025

What Does Clean Beauty Actually Mean?

What Does Clean Beauty Actually Mean?

Clean products have become a key sector in the beauty market, but also a catch-all term. Here's how to decode the clean beauty space.

From minimizing pores, banishing wrinkles, and defying age to hydrating, plumping, and exfoliating, we expect our beauty products to do a lot for us. On top of the visible results we hope to see, many also want these products to deliver said skin-saving with clean ingredients that aren't harmful or toxic to our health. The clean beauty movement has grown exponentially in recent years, and has even continued to show market growth as the beauty industry at large takes a hit amidst the pandemic. But the new clean beauty standard for skincare, makeup, and hair care actually has some muddy waters-with all the vocabulary around so-called clean products ("organic," "non-toxic," "vegan," etc.) its becoming more difficult to understand exactly what the labels are saying. Clean beauty also creates the illusion that the alternative offerings are "dirty" or bad for you.

As greenwashing becomes more prevalent in the beauty space, it's important to educate yourself on what products are the right fit for your preferences and needs. Here, L'OFFICIEL gives a comprehensive guide to what clean beauty actually is, and isn't.

Despite increasing consumer demand for clean beauty products, the FDA’s cosmetic regulations have remained unchanged since they were first introduced back in 1938. Currently, only 11 ingredients are banned by the FDA, while the EU has banned well over 1,000. Brands are also technically not required to have FDA approval before going to market, meaning your cosmetics could be packed with harmful ingredients and endocrine disruptors, which are chemicals that have the ability to mimic hormones and mess with your mood, digestion, reproductive cycle, metabolism, and other functions. The beauty industry is also self-regulated, meaning there’s no organization confirming a brand’s clean beauty claims.

While any brand can label itself as “clean,” taking a closer look at labels is one way to protect yourself against products that may do more harm than good. Here are a few ingredients to keep an eye out for.



Ingredients to Avoid


Parabens


A known endocrine disruptor, parabens mimic estrogen in the body. The frequently-used preservative is linked to early onset puberty, thyroid issues, and even cancer. While most cosmetics only use a very small amount of parabens in their formulas, the ingredient is easily absorbed and, through frequent exposure over time, can cause long-term harm.

Fragrances


Perhaps the most ambiguous name on an ingredient list, “fragrance” can refer to thousands of synthetic or natural chemicals, some more harmful than others. While fragrances can cause allergies and other irritations, brands aren’t required to disclose exactly which fragrances are in their formulations, making this ingredient a tough one to avoid.

Phthalates


Phthalates, which help fragrances last, are also a significant endocrine disruptor. Known to cause birth defects, reproductive system issues, and other hormonal problems, phthalates often go hand-in-hand with fragrance on an ingredient list.

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers


Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, has come under fire in recent years. While some retailers are beginning to ban the ingredient, it’s still found in many nail polishes, lash glues, straightening treatments, and other products. What’s scary about formaldehyde is that you won’t find it on ingredient lists; instead, what you’ll see are formaldehyde releasers, which are preservatives that slowly release the chemical.



Oxybenzone and octinoxate


A common ingredient in chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone and octinoxate are harmful both to your skin and the environment. Linked to coral bleaching, these chemicals might make sunscreens easier to apply due to their lightweight feel and easy absorption, but they are also another endocrine disruptor that can lead to birth defects and hormonal problems. These days, there are plenty of physical sunscreens on the market that provide just as much protection with an equally luxurious application, all without the harmful side effects.

Triclosan


In the past year, we’ve all been obsessively washing our hands and using hand sanitizer. What you may not know is that these products can also contain triclosan, an antimicrobial chemical also known to significantly disrupt the endocrine system and cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It’s banned in several countries, and the US has moved to also ban it from hand sanitizers as it isn’t significantly more effective than just using soap and water.

Talc


Talc, a common ingredient in powder cosmetics like blush, bronzer, and eyeshadows, isn’t inherently harmful. However, talc that isn’t purified can become contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. It’s difficult to know just how pure the talc in cosmetics are without testing, so some brands are opting to use mica, cornstarch, and silica instead.

Mineral oil


A byproduct of petroleum, mineral oil is a common ingredient found in all kinds of cosmetics, including Vaseline and Aquaphor. Not only can mineral oil clog pores, but there are concerns that it can carry carcinogenic impurities, not to mention the environmental impact the petroleum industry has on the planet.



Clean Beauty Buzzwords


Under the umbrella of clean beauty, there are plenty of descriptors—organic, all-natural, non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free, sustainable-that are labeled neatly onto product packaging without any regulations regarding how they’re used. Because the FDA doesn’t control how cosmetics companies market their products, the terms themselves have become subjective and the exact meanings vary by brand. These buzzwords may give the impression that skincare and makeup brands that label themselves as "clean" are safer than others, but that isn’t accurate. While most brands have the best intentions when pursuing the clean route, it’s important to look beyond the label and decipher fact from marketing. Here’s a breakdown on common clean beauty buzzwords, with some help from Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu, the two cosmetic chemists behind Chemist Confessions Inc., who are committed to science-backed skincare and decoding product labels.

Clean


Now often used as a catchall term, clean indicates products made from ingredients that are safe for people and the environment. Clean beauty products will avoid the ingredients covered above, but that doesn’t mean all of the ingredients come from the earth. Being natural and chemical aren't mutually exclusive, and a mix of ingredients can work together for safe and effective clean makeup, skincare, and hair care, which is why Lu says, "Our definition of clean beauty is responsible formulation that is able to marry the best natural and synthetic ingredients and hold up to the highest standards of quality and safety." Moreover, in light of clean beauty being juxtaposed with clinical products, she says, "There are clean beauty brands that can target skin concerns like wrinkles and pigmentation using effective ingredients that aren't on anyone's no-no lists. On the flip side, even though clinical skincare may use ingredients with foreign, chemical names, many of these ingredients can hold up to the most rigorous safety and efficacy testings."

Organic


Certified organic beauty products will bear a USDA Organic Seal, which means that they are at least 95 percent organic and are manufactured without genetically modified organisms. Because the certification is costly for brands, independent labels may list specific ingredients that are organic, even though the product itself may not have the seal. The sourcing of organic ingredients is regulated by the Department of Agriculture, not the FDA, and Fu notes that “most ingredients go through a lot of processing before becoming an actual skincare ingredient” so the organic categorization isn’t quite as farm-to-face as one might think.

All-Natural


This is an unregulated term across the FDA, USDA, and the EU. A product that is all-natural should in theory only have natural, as in plant-based or derived from the earth, elements in its ingredients list, but oftentimes brands can get away with just one or two natural ingredients. Fu says that “plants are actually quite complex, which means more components that can invite allergens. So ‘natural’ by no means directly translates to ‘safer.’” Likewise, there are plenty of synthetic ingredients that help stabilize a product, not only making it more effective, but safer in the long run.



Non-Toxic and Chemical-Free


The non-toxic labeling can be misleading, because every beauty product sold in the U.S. adheres to this. Non-toxic indicates that the ingredients are not harmful at the levels the product is formulated with and for its proper use—in other words, they’re safe for use. Oftentimes, clean beauty brands will use “non-toxic” labeling for products that avoid ingredients that are known as harmful at any levels. According to Fu, “non-toxic” is a “fear-mongering term” in the beauty world. “What really grinds our gears are the ‘chemical-free’ (water is a chemical) and ‘preservative-free’ claims (your skincare can grow mold),” Fu says. It’s more than likely that the last two are used purely for greenwashing.

Vegan


Like with food, vegan beauty products do not contain any ingredients sourced from animals or their by-products, such as beeswax, honey, or lanolin. A vegan product is not necessarily a clean product-it can be animal-free but still be formulated with ingredients that don’t meet the clean criteria.

Cruelty-Free


Indicated by the leaping bunny symbol, this means that the product wasn’t tested on animals. But note, this is not correlated with a product being vegan.



Is Being Clean the Same as Being Sustainable?


Sustainable practices and sourcing have become an important factor in what consumers look for in fashion and beauty. While a product may tout natural ingredients, the sustainability factor is dependent on how the ingredients were sourced, the manufacturing process, and oftentimes, what kind of packaging is used. Environmentally responsible production means that common beauty ingredients like palm oil aren’t being over-harvested or causing deforestation or the disruption of natural environments. Sustainable beauty can also mean that the products are safe for the environment after-the-fact, such as reef-safe sunscreen, which protect coral reefs and other sea life from chemical pollution from ingredients found in the product.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
France: Less Than a Month After His Appointment, the New French Prime Minister Resigns
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Hungary will not adopt the euro because the European Union is falling apart.
Sarah Mullally Becomes First Woman Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury
Mayor in western Germany in intensive care after stabbing
Australian government pays Deloitte nearly half a million dollars for a report built on fabricated quotes, fake citations, and AI-generated nonsense.
US Prosecutors Gained Legal Approval to Hack Telegram Servers
Macron Faces Intensifying Pressure to Resign or Trigger New Elections Amid France’s Political Turmoil
Standard Chartered Names Roberto Hoornweg as Sole Head of Corporate & Investment Banking
UK Asylum Housing Firm Faces Backlash Over £187 Million Profits and Poor Living Conditions
UK Police Crack Major Gang in Smuggling of up to 40,000 Stolen Phones to China
BYD’s UK Sales Soar Nearly Nine-Fold, Making Britain Its Biggest Market Outside China
Trump Proposes Farm Bailout from Tariff Revenues Amid Backlash from Other Industries
FIFA Accuses Malaysia of Forging Citizenship Documents, Suspends Seven Footballers
Latvia to Bar Tourist and Occasional Buses to Russia and Belarus Until 2026
A Dollar Coin Featuring Trump’s Portrait Expected to Be Issued Next Year
Australia Orders X to Block Murder Videos, Citing Online Safety and Public Exposure
Three Scientists Awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine for Discovery of Immune Self-Tolerance Mechanism
OpenAI and AMD Forge Landmark AI-Chip Alliance with Equity Option
Munich Airport Reopens After Second Drone Shutdown
France Names New Government Amid Political Crisis
Trump Stands Firm in Shutdown Showdown and Declares War on Drug Cartels — Turning Crisis into Opportunity
Surge of U.S. Billionaires Transforms London’s Peninsula Apartments into Ultra-Luxury Stronghold
Pro Europe and Anti-War Babiš Poised to Return to Power After Czech Parliamentary Vote
Jeff Bezos Calls AI Surge a ‘Good’ Bubble, Urges Focus on Lasting Innovation
Japan’s Ruling Party Chooses Sanae Takaichi, Clearing Path to First Female Prime Minister
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sentenced to Fifty Months in Prison Following Prostitution Conviction
Taylor Swift’s ‘Showgirl’ Launch Extends Billion-Dollar Empire
Trump Administration Launches “TrumpRx” Plan to Enable Direct Drug Sales at Deep Discounts
Trump Announces Intention to Impose 100 Percent Tariff on Foreign-Made Films
Altman Says GPT-5 Already Outpaces Him, Warns AI Could Automate 40% of Work
Singapore and Hong Kong Vie to Dominate Asia’s Rising Gold Trade
Trump Organization Teams with Saudi Developer on $1 Billion Trump Plaza in Jeddah
Manhattan Sees Surge in Office-to-Housing Conversions, Highest Since 2008
Switzerland and U.S. Issue Joint Assurance Against Currency Manipulation
Electronic Arts to Be Taken Private in Historic $55 Billion Buyout
Thomas Jacob Sanford Named as Suspect in Deadly Michigan Church Shooting and Arson
Russian Research Vessel 'Yantar' Tracked Mapping Europe’s Subsea Cables, Raising Security Alarms
New York Man Arrested After On-Air Confession to 2017 Parents’ Murders
U.S. Defense Chief Orders Sudden Summit of Hundreds of Generals and Admirals
Global Cruise Industry Posts Dramatic Comeback with 34.6 Million Passengers in 2024
Trump Claims FBI Planted 274 Agents at Capitol Riot, Citing Unverified Reports
India: Internet Suspended in Bareilly Amid Communal Clashes Between Muslims and Hindus
Supreme Court Extends Freeze on Nearly $5 Billion in U.S. Foreign Aid at Trump’s Request
Archaeologists Recover Statues and Temples from 2,000-Year-Old Sunken City off Alexandria
China Deploys 2,000 Workers to Spain to Build Major EV Battery Factory, Raising European Dependence
Speed Takes Over: How Drive-Through Coffee Chains Are Rewriting U.S. Coffee Culture
U.S. Demands Brussels Scrutinize Digital Rules to Prevent Bias Against American Tech
Ringo Starr Champions Enduring Beatles Legacy While Debuting Las Vegas Art Show
Private Equity’s Fundraising Surge Triggers Concern of European Market Shake-Out
Colombian President Petro Vows to Mobilize Volunteers for Gaza and Joins List of Fighters
×