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What Does Clean Beauty Actually Mean?

April 20, 2023

What Does Clean Beauty Actually Mean?

 

WHAT IS CLEAN BEAUTY IN 2023?

“Clean beauty” is synonymous with non-toxic beauty - good for you and good for your body. Free from nasty ingredients.  

DID YOU KNOW? 

For years, we’ve all been using beauty products that have questionable ingredients, and it’s only recently that we’ve become more conscious about it. Did you know, on average a perfume is made with over 60 different ingredients? Here at Shay & Blue, we believe real fragrances deserve real ingredients, and strive to use just 15 natural ones. 🌱

In broad terms, clean beauty products are those made without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health. Some clean beauty brands are working hard to provide products that show real results, that are free of ingredients linked to harmful health effects like hormone disruption and skin irritation. Beyond that, clean beauty is not just the product itself, it is the level of impact the products have on the environment. By prioritising ingredients that are ethically sourced, of non-animal origin and cruelty-free, we can ensure that the only impact we have is the SMELL of our fragrances!

Here at Shay & Blue we believe that to make real fragrances, it takes real ingredients. We drive towards plastic free and carbon zone neutral production making our products responsibly packaged and sourced for all our consumers. 

OUR NO-TO LIST 

• Sulfates SLS and SLES • Parabens • Formaldehydes and formaldehyde
releasing agents • Phthalates • Mineral oil • Retinylpalmitate-
Oxybenzone • Coal tar • Hydroquinone • Triclosan & Triclocarban • PTFE/PFOA • Styrene • Polyacrylamide/
acrylamide • Acetaldehyde • Acetonitrile • Methylene chloride • Benzalkonium chloride • Toluene • Resorcinol • Acetone • Butoxyethanol • Ethylenediaminete-
traacetic acid • Methyl cellosolve • Methylisothiazolinone/
methylchloroisothia-
zolinone • Mercury and mercury
compounds (thimerosal) • Bisphenol A (BPA) • Animal fats, oils, 
and musks

___________________

£40 CLEAN BEAUTY BUNDLE

Love your fragrance, your skin and your world all at once with our Clean Beauty Bundle. We're proud to say that all of our fragrances are cruelty-free, vegan and CLEAN! Start cleaning up your fragrance regime today.

 ___________________

 

IS CLEAN BEAUTY ACTUALLY CLEAN? 

The lack of clear regulations in the beauty industry has led to some bad science and fear-mongering. “Clean” or “natural” doesn’t always mean a product is chemical-free after-all, all natural ingredients are, of course, chemicals. Same as “synthetic” doesn’t mean it is bad. The clean beauty movement isn’t perfect; it’s evolving and our goal as a company is to evolve with it.

Another crucial aspect of any truly clean beauty brand is transparent labelling. This means being 100% honest about all of the ingredients used in the product. Here at Shay and Blue, we label all of our ingredients for our products on our website showing you what is naturally derived from synthesis. 

Don’t get it confused—clean beauty isn’t necessarily organic. While many times you’ll find organic ingredients in a clean beauty product, it doesn’t have to have organic ingredients to be considered clean beauty. While organic ingredients are always nice to have, the ingredients used aren’t unsafe just because they’re not organic. 

MYTH BUSTING

When brands use the term “free from”, this scares consumers into believing other brands are using harmful chemicals in their products. This is not always the case and the use of parabens and silicones are not always a bad thing. Silicones have been known to “block pores” and be bad for acne prone and sensitive skin types, however, scientists have shown with proper removal with cleansers, skin is left perfectly happy. The term ‘natural skincare’ lacks a precise definition and is interpreted in different ways. Mainly when some brands say ‘natural’, they are referring to products made with plant-based ingredients. There is a sense that if something is derived from nature, it must be safer than its synthetic counterpart. However, these products aren’t necessarily any safer or even more gentle on the skin. 

IS CLEAN BEAUTY GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN?

Switching to clean beauty is not only beneficial for your skin but your gut health and overall wellbeing. While we may think organic food is the main focus of lowering your toxic load and digestive health, we absorb many harsh chemicals and toxins through the products we use on our skin which impact our health and microbiome.

One of the reasons why clean beauty has become popular is that it appeals to people seeking out products that they perceive as healthier for their skin and bodies. However, is clean beauty really better for you? Not always. Often it is much more useful to understand the ingredients used in products and their benefits on the body. This allows you to make informed decisions as  what may or may not be good for you. Nevertheless, at Shay & Blue we not only publish all the ingredients in our products, however we do align to the banned ingredients list of Spehora which we believe to be a great example if ingredients that are not great for most people.

Here are some reasons why you may want to consider making the switch: 

  1. Skin irritation: Many chemical cosmetics contain harsh chemicals, such as parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances, which can irritate the skin and cause redness, itching, and other forms of irritation including breaking your skin barrier.
  2. Hormone disruption: Some chemicals found in cosmetics, such as phthalates, can interfere with hormone production, which can have negative impacts on your health, mood, and other bodily functions.
  3. Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to certain chemicals found in cosmetics, such as formaldehyde or nickel, which can cause severe allergic reactions and even anaphylaxis in some cases.
  4. Environmental damage: Many chemicals found in cosmetics can be harmful to the environment, especially when they are not properly disposed of. For example, some chemicals can contaminate waterways and harm aquatic life, while others can contribute to air pollution.
  5. Long-term health effects: There is some evidence to suggest that exposure to certain chemicals found in cosmetics over a long period of time could increase the risk of certain health problems, such as cancer, reproductive issues, and developmental disorders.

WHERE DO I START?

Making the change by cleaning up your beauty regime is a good way to start but can be overwhelming. Start off by reducing your impact, e.g. what you use the most!

First, dig into the products you use every day like moisturiser, foundation, lipstick or mascara. Then, look to replace the products that are most likely to contain toxic ingredients like shampoo, deodorant, and even sunscreen. 

  • Swapping to natural and butane-free deodorant 
  • Moving to non-toxic sunscreen
  • Change your shampoo and conditioner to sulphate free formulas or plastic free packaging

You will find new tips and tricks that will work best for you but also will find some newfound favourites along the way. As you continue to shop, read the labels, explore the world of clean beauty (whatever that means to you) and you will soon become a pro yourself. 

 

Written by Beckii Jane

  • #Culture  
  • #Values

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