WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO BE CLEAN?
We all hear these buzzwords often: clean, organic, green, vegan, etc. We could go on, but what does it actually mean and when it comes to skincare, how can you differentiate between what is good for you, versus what’s just a brilliant marketing play with minimalistic, pastel packaging?
Clean beauty is a hot topic, but the reality is, it doesn’t take much for a brand to get the ‘clean’ stamp of approval. In the US, the beauty industry is self-regulated, which means that it is easy to make a clean beauty claim without much inspection. The FDA does not actually have the right to pull non-toxic ingredients from the shelves, rather it is up to the manufacturer’s discretion to flag these concerns – and we all know how that story goes.
“THERE IS BEAUTY IN SIMPLICITY”
A general rule of thumb is to avoid the ‘dirty dozen.’ Names like, Aluminum, DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine), DMDM Hydantoin & Urea (Imidazolidinyl), Mineral Oil, Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl), PEG (Polyethylene Glycol), Phthalates, Propylene Glycol (PG), Butylene Glycol, Siloxanes (ingredients ending in -siloxane or -methicone), SLS (Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate), Synthetic Fragrances (parfum), and Triclosan, are amongst many toxic chemicals that you do not want to be putting on your skin or exposing to the environment.
Without diving deep down a rabbit hole of science, it’s really as easy as this: less is more and there is beauty in simplicity. Ques to look out for are simply being able to understand and/or recognize ingredients listed on a package. The true meaning of clean is safe for humans and the environment. In the clean beauty space, non-toxic products are made with ingredients that are certifiably not toxic in any quantity, and they are also safe to dispose of. Sustainability and green both refer to products that aren’t harmful for the environment, including how ingredients and packaging materials are sourced and produced.
LEARNING, DISCOVERING, AND FALLING IN LOVE
The fantastic news is that there are so many wonderful, high-quality products in the clean-beauty space that are effective. Brands are really stepping up their game to formulate top-notch products, understanding that regulations and FDA guidelines in America date back to the 1930’s, so they’ve taken on the responsibility to do the work for YOU in researching, testing and delivering high-performance ingredients.
One thing to note is that most makeup and skincare that is non-toxic and genuinely clean, means that it will not have as long as a shelf life as other beauty products you may have previously been used to.
This being said, it’s a great incentive to make the most out of your investment, by using an edited selection of product on a daily basis (until complete). We’ve noticed that in transitioning our beauty products over to clean, we are accumulating less excess product – and therefore wasted product – and in the long-run, spending less while using up more. This cycle in itself has a better impact on the environment, as we’re becoming more conscious of our buying habits while being less wasteful. Overall, we’re riding the waves of the clean beauty movement, learning, discovering, and falling in love with getting back to the basics. Your skin (and the planet) will thank you later!
If you’re new in the space of clean beauty, feel free to ease into it with trial and error. You do not need to go from 0-100 overnight by throwing out all your ‘tried-and-true’ makeup and skincare to date. That being said, we recommend beginning with the products that you incorporate in your beauty regime daily, which most often cover the largest surface area of your body (like cleanser and moisturizer). Here are a few of our best clean beauty discoveries:
- Cleanser: Pai Skincare – Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil
- Toner: cocokind – Rosewater Facial Toner
- Moisturizer: Naturopathica – Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream
- Hydrating Spray: Josh Rosebrook – Hydrating Accelerator
- Deodorant: Kopari – Coconut Deo
- Concealer: rms beauty – “Un” Cover-Up
- Blush: Tata Harper – Anti-Aging Neuropeptide Blush (Very Charming)
- Highlighter: rms beauty – Luminizer X Quad
- Mascara: Ilia – Limitless Lash Mascara
- Nail Polish: ZOYA Polish Quad Nail Polish, Under The Mistletoe)
Feeling inspired? Shoot us a note below or send us a DM @cada_consult and let’s talk about clean beauty products together.
BRANDS WE LOVE TO LOVE
Sana Skin Studio by Valentina Hernandez
Use Code: CADAxSANA10 for a 10% OFF Your Purchase
My Name is: Valentina Hernandez
Mother of: @SanaSkinStudio + lover of beautiful design and experiences
I chose this life because: I wanted to create a place, service and brand that I was missing in my life.
Beauty is: in the details
I keep my skin balanced with: gentle, nourishing, non-toxic products + a monthly facial at Sana Skin Studio
In the last six months, my go-to sacred ritual is: Lately, I’ve had to prioritize my business over other aspects of my life but something that has been helping me stay centered is baths! After a long day, I fill my bath, light a candle and sit in stillness. I cleanse off the energy of the day, ground and reset. This little moment keeps me connected to my needs and my purpose.
