How to transform your skin care, makeup, and hair care routine with nontoxic products that actually work.

Where Do I Start?

We believe in taking a common sense approach to clean beauty: If a product is intended to stay on your skin all day (like a moisturizer) and/or it’s covering a large surface area (like body lotion), then you should try to switch to a cleaner alternative. Start by finding a natural replacement for your daily sunscreen, hand soap, body lotion/wash, and deodorant. Then slowly graduate to cleaner shampoo, conditioner, skin care, and makeup products. You can find our favorite product picks for each in the corresponding guides below.

Ingredients to Avoid

Clean beauty is a spectrum, but a case can be made that some ingredients should be avoided altogether. Below, the most common beauty ingredients of concern and the reasons why they’re so notorious.

Parabens | Fragrances | Aluminum Compounds | Ethoxylated Agents | Formaldehyde | Refined Petroleum | Hydroquinone | Talc | Triclosan | Silica | Oxybenzone

Parabens

Parabens consist of a collection of chemicals used as antimicrobial preservatives in beauty products to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. However, there are concerns surrounding their safety.

Issue at hand:

Research has demonstrated that parabens can imitate estrogen in the body and have been connected to issues such as damage to reproductive organs, disruption of thyroid function, cancers related to hormones, and obesity. Moreover, a study in the journal Human Reproduction linked the use of beauty products containing parabens to the early onset of puberty in girls. Another study highlighted that pregnant women with higher use of personal care products had increased levels of parabens in their urine, raising concerns about the potential unknown risks to fetuses from combined exposure. A further study in 2019 associated paraben exposure with gestational diabetes mellitus.

In response to these concerns, the European Commission has prohibited the use of certain parabens in personal care products, including isopropyl-, isobutyl-, phenyl-, benzyl-, and pentylparabens, although these substances remain permitted in the United States. The FDA has periodically reviewed the safety of parabens in cosmetics, taking into account emerging research. Despite ongoing scrutiny, the FDA maintains that current evidence does not prove that parabens, as utilized in cosmetics, pose a health risk.

Fragrances and Phthalates

Parabens are a group of preservatives and antimicrobial chemicals that prevent the growth of nasty things like bad bacteria and mold in your beauty products.

Issue at hand:

The term "fragrance" broadly refers to up to 3,000 different chemicals, both synthetic and natural, that are added to beauty products to improve their scent. The specific ingredients used as fragrances are often not listed due to their status as proprietary secrets. Additionally, phthalates are chemicals that are added to various products, including nail polish and hair spray, to increase flexibility and help fragrances last longer. These can usually be identified in ingredient lists by abbreviations such as DEP, BBzP, DBP, and DEHP.

The presence of the general term "fragrance" in an ingredient list often implies the inclusion of phthalates.

These compounds are associated with several health issues, including harm to reproductive and hormonal systems in children and males. Research has linked phthalates to a range of problems, from obesity and type 2 diabetes to decreased sperm count, breast cancer, reproductive issues, infertility, and heart conditions. A 2017 study revealed that a significant percentage of individuals working in the perfume and cosmetics industry were exposed to phthalates at levels considered to be a cumulative risk.

Furthermore, fragrances themselves, regardless of the presence of phthalates, can trigger allergic reactions and asthma due to the unknown makeup of these compounds during both short- and long-term exposure. In response to concerns about fragrance ingredients, major companies in the cosmetics industry such as Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson have begun to commit to more transparency regarding the fragrances used in their products in recent years.

Ethoxylated Agents

Ethoxylated agents include polyethylene glycols (PEGs), ceteareths, oleth, and sulfates. Sulfates are responsible for the bubbles and lather in cleansers like shampoo. Some sulfates are synthetic, while others are derived from sulfur and petroleum, as well as natural sources like coconut and palm oils. PEG compounds are used as thickeners, solvents, and softeners in hair products, as well as some moisturizers and base products.

Issue at hand:

Sodium laurel sulfate, a harsh ingredient commonly found in hair care items, faces scrutiny for potentially damaging hair, though it's not deemed toxic. To lessen its severity, it's converted into sodium sulfate via , a process that unfortunately leads to the creation of 1,4-dioxane, recognized by the EPA as a likely carcinogen. However, the FDA has noted a significant decrease in the levels of 1,4-dioxane found in cosmetics over time, attributing this to advancements in production techniques. A recent survey by the FDA found that the majority of personal care products have 1,4-dioxane at levels not causing concern.

Furthermore, the chance of  1,4-dioxane skin absorption is low due to its quick evaporation rate. Reflecting the increasing focus on consumer safety and the call for safer personal care items, Sephora, in July 2019 required brands to conduct tests for  1,4-dioxane in their products, showcasing a growing vigilance and demand for safer personal care products.

Formaldehyde

The most notorious preservative in history, formaldehyde is commonly found in keratin smoothing treatments that rely on the chemical to lock the hair’s broken disulfide bonds into a straighter position.

Issue at hand:

Formaldehyde is widely acknowledged as a carcinogen, leading to its removal from many everyday cosmetic items, such as nail polish. However, despite claims of being "formaldehyde free," many salon keratin treatments contain substances like methylene glycol and formalin. These chemicals, when exposed to water during the treatment process, release formaldehyde, posing risks to both customers and, more critically, to salon workers who are frequently exposed to these conditions.

Refined Petroleum

Mineral oil (petrolatum, paraffin) is a widely used moisturizing agent sourced from petroleum and is often found in lip balms and face creams.

Issue at hand:

From an environmental and health perspective, there are numerous reasons to steer clear of petroleum products. Health issues are particularly alarming, with a s study in 2011 revealing that mineral oil is the most significant contaminant in the human body, likely accumulating from cosmetic use.

Further research in 2016 highlighted the need to decrease mineral and -based components in many lip cosmetics due to the ingestion risks. Additionally, the World Health Organization has categorized untreated or minimally process mineral oils, which differ from those used in personal care products, as carcinogenic.

Hydroquinone

A topical bleaching agent, hydroquinone is found in skin-lightening creams and serums, and used in the treatment of hyperpigmentation. It’s sold over the counter in two percent concentrations, but stronger formulas are available by prescription.

Issue at hand:

In 1982, Hydroquinone received FDA approval, yet it faced a temporary market withdrawal after safety issues emerged, which were later attributed to mercury contamination rather than hydroquinone itself. Despite this, hydroquinone has been associated with serious health risks, including certain cancers, immune systems, adrenal gland dysfunction, and ochronosis, as kin disorder. These potential dangers have led to the European Union, Japan, and Australia to prohibit the use of this ingredient.

Talc

A common ingredient in face powders and eye shadows, talc is a mineral made from magnesium, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Issue at hand:

Unpurified talc may contain asbestos, a substance linked to cancer. In 2019, Claire's makeup products were recalled due to asbestos found by the FDA, leading to calls fro stricter cosmetics regulations. A 2018 Reuters report alleged that Johnson & Johnson was aware of asbestos in their baby for years. This has resulted in significant legal settlements for individuals who developed ovarian cancer and mesothelioma after using these products.

Triclosan

An antibacterial and antimicrobial chemical, triclosan can be found in sanitizing hand and body soaps, mascara, and formerly in toothpaste.

Issue at hand:

Triclosan, a common ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) hand sanitizers, has been associated with several health risks, including liver damage, skin cancer, hormonal imbalances, and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Despite these concerns, studies have shown tricolsan to be more effective than traditional soap and water. In response to these findings, in April 2019, the FDA prohibited the use of tricolsan in OTC hand sanitizers. This decision was part of a broader ruling that deemed triclosan and 27 other active ingredients unsuitable for evaluation in consumer antiseptic products.

Silica

Also known as silicon dioxide, silica is used as an absorbent, anticaking, and abrasive agent in everything from oral care products to foundation. Silica is naturally occurring, but the kind approved for use in cosmetics is amorphous silica, not crystalline silica (also known as quartz dust).

Issue at hand:

The study of silica and its applications in cosmetics is complex and often unclear. Amorphous silica is the only type sanctioned for cosmetic use, yet tests have revealed the presence of carcinogenic crystalline silica in some beauty products. This contamination might occur when amorphous silica gets mixed with its crystalline counterpart. Additionally, there are environmental issues related to the use of silicones, a by-product of silica used in products like face primers, as they are not biodegradable.

Understanding BUZZ WORDS in Beauty

WHAT DOES CLEAN MEAN?

Safe for people and the planet, clean means that a beauty product should have considered human and environmental health, using a nontoxic element as a baseline and plant-based ingredients for active results. Much like eating clean rejects the idea of processed foods and focuses on nourishing, plant-based produce that delivers all the vitamins and antioxidants needed for a healthy immune and digestive system, the same is true for clean skin care.

WHAT DOES GREEN MEAN?

The word green should mean that the product does no harm to the environment. For instance, a reef-safe sunscreen with biodegradable packaging would be labeled green. However, this is a wishy-washy term with no true definition and is usually used as an umbrella for any product that claims to protect the planet’s resources.

WHAT DOES ORGANIC MEAN?

A product in which at least 95% of the natural ingredients are organically grown, without pesticides or chemical fertilizers and are not genetically modified.

WHAT DOES NONTOXIC MEAN?

Water and oxygen can be toxic in the wrong dose. So when a beauty product is labeled nontoxic, it likely means that the ingredients have not been shown to cause adverse health effects at the levels found inside the formula and for the intended use. This is true of every beauty product currently sold in the United States. In the clean beauty space, nontoxic means that a product shouldn’t include any ingredient that’s been deemed toxic at any dose by a third-party resource like the European Union or Environmental Working Group.

WHAT DOES SUSTAINABLE MEAN?

Sustainable goes hand in hand with green. It means that the ingredients on the inside of the package—including how those ingredients were sourced—and the packaging itself should not be harmful to the planet.

WHAT DOES VEGAN MEAN?

A beauty product is vegan if it doesn’t contain any animal by-products or ingredients sourced from animals. Common non-vegan ingredients found in clean beauty products include beeswax, honey, lanolin, and tallow. Many people associate vegan with clean, but this is not the case. A product can be vegan and still contain chemical ingredients of concern.

WHAT DOES CRUELTY-FREE MEAN?

A beauty product is cruelty-free if it has not been tested on animals anywhere along the manufacturing line or before being sold. It can also mean that any animal-derived ingredients were not extracted at the expense of an animal’s welfare (like natural-fiber makeup brushes). A beauty product can be cruelty-free but not vegan, and vice versa.

A PHOTO FROM NATURE

Natural Doesn't Always Mean Better

For you or the environment.

Essential oils are potent plant extracts celebrated for their medical benefits but are not regulated by the FDA. Their strength, exemplified by the comparison that one drop of peppermint essential oil equals the potency of 28 cups of peppermint tea, poses risks especially in skin care.