Clean Beauty vs. Conventional Products - Complete Comparison

When we walk down a grocery store's aisle today, we will find many labels that say clean, green, non-toxic, and natural. Although this change might seem coincidental, it has actually been made on purpose. 

Due to the increase in consumer knowledge and skepticism, as well as the growing concern about what we put on our skin, consumers are now more aware of how their bodies react to product ingredients. Ingredient transparency has become an expected component of the purchasing process instead of a value-added benefit.

There is a disagreement at the centre of this issue - 

• The conventional beauty category relies heavily on decades of university research and high-performance synthetic ingredients, and the clean beauty category has focused on ingredient safety and transparency, along with ethical sourcing. 

• Both categories claim to produce results; however, they use very different vocabulary when promoting their products. 

Check out Beauty Depot Online, which has simplified the search by separating the two categories, greenwashing and clean beauty. Read further for more! 

What is Clean Beauty?

If you have been to the beauty aisle within the past few months, you will have likely noticed many beauty products labelled with the Clean seal. This label is used to indicate that a product is made with non-harmful chemicals for both human beings and the environment, and is therefore labeled as clean beauty.

The Definition of Clean

Clean beauty includes the avoidance of products that include a no-no list containing potentially harmful ingredients. Clean beauty brands avoid the use of - 

• Parabens (synthetic chemical preservatives that disrupt hormones) 

• Sulfates/SLS and SLES (harsh cleansing agents that remove natural oil from the skin) 

• Phthalates (common fragrance ingredient associated with adverse effects on reproduction)

The Regulatory Gap And Labels

It is essential for consumers to realise that the term "clean" is not a regulated term by the FDA. The word "Organic" has specific USDA regulations on how food and some fibers can be defined and used. 

However, there are no statutory requirements for any beauty company to use the term clean or natural when producing their book of beauties. Therefore, the standards of "non-toxic" in beauty can be different from one brand to another.

What Does Clean Beauty Really Mean?

Since the definition of clean is not determined by law, the beauty industry has settled on three core principles for how a clean product should be defined:

1. Emphasis on Safety (Non-Toxic)

Safety is the primary motivation for the clean movement. The definition of a clean product is one that is considered to be non-toxic and thus is made from ingredients (natural or synthetic) that are not considered to be a carcinogen, an endocrine-disruptor, or a neurotoxin. 

Body burden refers to the total amount of toxins and chemicals that we absorb through our skin every day.

2. Emphasis on Transparency

A clean product's label tells everything you need to know. Brands that adopt the clean movement will generally provide consumers with more information than what is legally required. One example is providing a breakdown of their fragrance or scent ingredient(s) because this is where there are often additional chemicals included. 

Transparency is essential so that consumers have the ability to understand the ingredients in the products they use, without having to be an expert in chemistry.

3. Emphasis on Ethics

The term 'clean' encompasses most natural and organic cosmetics as well as sustainable products. Therefore, it's essential to understand three areas associated with Clean Products:

• Animal Cruelty Free Testing - means that no animal was harmed during the testing of that product.

• Ethically Sourced Ingredients - each ingredient used in a Clean Product should be tracked back to its original source, such as mica or palm oil.

• Eco-Friendly Packaging - Clean Products should use glass, post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, or biodegradable materials to minimize the negative impact on our planet.

Natural vs. Organic vs. Non-Toxic - Clearing the Confusion

Many times, when you see the terms Natural or Organic Beauty, they are used to refer to Clean Beauty, but the terms have different meanings under statute and as formulated.

What are Natural Beauty Products?

The term 'natural' in reference to cosmetic ingredients indicates that the component of the product is derived from something in nature, such as plant-based oils, minerals, or herbal extracts.

• The problem with the use of 'natural' for cosmetics is that there is no legal definition of this term. Therefore, an item can be sold with the word 'natural' in the label even if the true percentage of plant-derived ingredients is only 1% and the remaining 99% consists of synthetic chemicals.

• When shopping for natural products, consumers should only purchase products that list common plant names (Aloe Barbadensis = Aloe Vera; Butyrospermum Parkii = Shea Butter) in the first five (5) or fewer items on the ingredient label.

What is Organic Beauty?

The term "organic" in the context of beauty products goes further than just "natural". Organic refers specifically to how the ingredients were grown and produced. Organic means that they were grown without the use of synthetic chemicals (such as pesticides, herbicides) and without the use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

Organic has a specific definition, and therefore, the term Organic has specific regulations. The USDA and COSMOS have very rigorous guidelines that need to be met in order for a product to carry the "organic" seal.

Natural vs. Organic Cosmetics - The Key Differences

The simplest way to remember it is that “All organic products are natural, but not all natural products are organic.”

Is "Pure Beauty" Organic?

As a consumer looking for non-toxic beauty products, you may have questions about whether a brand like Pure Beauty is an organic product. It's important to differentiate between Pure Beauty as a brand and the term "pure beauty". Pure Beauty is a brand that has a strong emphasis on providing customers with products that are 100% natural, vegan, and non-toxic. 

While Pure Beauty contains many organic ingredients, it is essential that you check the product package for any specific seals or logos to confirm that the product you are purchasing is indeed organic.

The concept of "pure" typically means that a product has no fillers or harsh chemicals added, but this does not mean that the product is automatically organic or has been certified as organic unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer of the product.

Why It Matters - The Benefits of Clean and Organic Beauty

Why are so many people making the switch? The benefits of clean beauty extend beyond just skin-deep results:

1. Reduced Chemical Exposure - By choosing non-toxic beauty, you reduce your daily contact with potential endocrine disruptors.

2. Eco-Friendly Impact - Organic farming protects soil health and water supplies from toxic runoff.

3. Gentle on Skin - Natural beauty products are often preferred by those with eczema or rosacea, as they skip the artificial dyes and "parfums" that trigger flare-ups.

Shopping Guide! How to Switch to Clean Beauty

Switching from conventional products to a non-toxic beauty routine doesn’t have to happen overnight. In fact, a gradual transition is better for your skin and your wallet. By prioritizing the products that cover the most surface area or stay on your skin the longest, you can make the most impactful changes first.

How to Transition Your Routine

1. The Big Three First - Start by swapping your cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Since these cover your entire face daily, choosing natural beauty products in these categories significantly reduces your chemical exposure.

2. Wait for the Empty - Don't toss perfectly good products. Replace them with clean beauty alternatives only once you’ve used them up.

3. Patch Test Everything - Even organic beauty products can contain potent botanicals. Always test a small amount on your jawline for 24 hours before a full application.

4. Look for Certifications - Since "clean" isn't regulated, look for third-party seals like EWG Verified™, Leaping Bunny (Cruelty-Free), or COSMOS Organic to ensure the brand meets high safety standards.

Conclusion

The clean beauty vs. conventional debate isn't about perfection; it's about progress. While conventional products offer long shelf lives and rapid results, clean and organic beauty products prioritize long-term skin health, ingredient safety, and environmental ethics.

Whether you decide to go 100% "clean" or simply swap out a few key items, the most important step is becoming an informed consumer. By understanding what’s inside your bottles, you take control of your health and the health of the planet.