Why choosing clean, traceable beauty products is essential

The products you put on your body matter as much as the ones you put in your body. That's why so many cosmetic labels now include buzzwords like 'clean,' 'natural' or 'organic.' Unless you're a clean beauty connoisseur, it's hard to know why terms like 'clean"' or 'traceable' are important when choosing the best brands and products for you.

What does clean mean when it comes to beauty products?

Clean can mean different things for different products. Are certain ingredients clean? What about certain manufacturing practices?

For beauty, clean generally means that a product is safe and has a transparent ingredient label. Traceable means that the company can trace the ingredients back to the source.

That's important because the bloodstream can absorb skincare products and cosmetics, leading to potentially dangerous health risks. Products applied to your skin should be beneficial for you and for the world around you.

Ingredients to put on the 'No' list

When searching for clean makeup and skincare, a good place to start is choosing items that match your goals and your skincare standards. One strategy companies use is to develop a 'No' list to help identify unnecessary and harmful ingredients versus those that are safe, effective, compliant with regulations and reviewed by a toxicologist.

Trusted brands will be detailed and transparent about their ingredients. If you have to look too hard to find the information, you might want to think twice before using it.

Ingredients to put on the 'Yes' list

Clean beauty products avoid toxic and dangerous ingredients. They also prioritise the best ingredients, both naturally derived and synthetic, to create safe, effective formulas.

Just like the definition of clean, that can mean different things for different brands. For some it means using powerful botanicals rich in plant nutrients.

It's also a good idea to think about where your products are coming from and how they're made. That traceability is one of the best assurances you can get for clean and safe beauty products.

Registered for your peace of mind

Clean beauty standards can still be up for interpretation - so let the buyer beware. It's always a good idea to seek out third-party validation for brand statements and claims.

Setting clean beauty goals

Look for brands that evolve with the beauty industry and continuously monitor the latest science, regulations and public concerns about clean beauty.

Some product makers are working to improve product formulations and further increase environmental stewardship, including expanding the number of traceable ingredients.

The guidelines call for vegan formulas, pure and safe ingredients, traceability for key botanical ingredients and better manufacturing processes, among other requirements.

Are you ready to make better beauty choices? Start looking at the labels and get ready to swap out your products for cleaner options.