Written by Adeline J. Wells
In a wellness world that is ever-expanding, it is easy to grow fatigued from the seemingly endless slew of terminology, ingredients, and keywords to keep track of. While the scientific terms and regulated standards may seem daunting, the increased transparency of skincare products can be celebrated when paired with enhanced consumer literacy. Here are a few key terms that may arise when selecting products for your clean skincare routine; with increased understanding, we can more easily identify the products that best align with our wellness needs and goals.
Natural
Natural is a widely used, unregulated term in the world of skincare. It generally refers to products grown in nature, as opposed to synthetic or chemically-composed. This could include water, essential oils, plants, etc. However, utilizing the term “natural skincare” does not require all ingredients in the product to be natural, nor does it require any third-party certification. It simply means that at least some of the ingredients are sourced from nature. A thorough inspection of the ingredient list is often required to determine just how “natural” a product is.
Cruelty-Free / Vegan
These two terms are often used synonymously but in fact, refer to two different relationships between beauty products and animals. Vegan products are those created without any animal-derived ingredients or byproducts, such as beeswax or tallow. Cruelty-free refers to products that have not been tested on animals. Cruelty-free skincare products are often noted with a small symbol of a bunny, reflecting standards provided by Leaping Bunny or PETA.
Clean Beauty
Clean Beauty is just as simple as it sounds: products are made without any chemicals or toxins known or expected to be potentially harmful to one’s health. Flagged ingredients may be naturally derived or synthetic, but either way could negatively affect the skin or have long-term effects on the body. Despite being a rapidly growing and widely accepted term, “clean beauty” does not have any regulation paired with it and largely remains subjective.
Organic
Organic skincare generally refers to skincare products made without chemical additives. This includes synthetic fragrances or dyes in the products but can also refer to fertilizers or pesticides in the growing process. A product must be composed of at least 95% synthetic-free ingredients to be considered organic. This term is regulated by both the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture. However, as with the food industry, many skincare brands operate organically without opting to go the lengths for additional governmental certification.
Green Beauty
Green Beauty refers to skincare products that are produced in an ethical, sustainable manner. The term is another subjective one, as there are many avenues for a company to demonstrate its dedication to the environment in its output. Some examples include utilizing ethically sourced ingredients, biodegradable packing materials, recycled glass for bottles, or compostable packaging. Green beauty is not regulated as organic or cruelty-free, leaving the genuine meaning and application of the term up to producer and consumer discernment.
Climate Adaptive
As the world continues to feel the increased impact of climate change, the skin will also continue to feel its effects. Issues such as higher heat, increased environmental pollutants, and harsher UV rays will likely affect the skin more harshly than before. The skincare market has had to adapt to address this shift in skin health; climate adaptive skincare is designed to protect the skin even as climate change accelerates. The term may refer to products containing higher concentrations of antioxidants, which help protect the skin by neutralizing free radicals. Likewise, it could refer to the inclusion of ingredients such as chaparral, which naturally help shield the skin from more direct UV light exposure.
With increased literacy, the world of clean beauty products can be much easier to navigate. Consider our line of clean, cruelty-free, climate adaptive skincare products today.
