Clean Beauty is a not-so-recent movement in the beauty industry focused on clean formulas. But what does that entail? The resulting products are free of ingredients considered toxic, be it to the human skin or to the environment. More so, it promotes a series of actions focused on sustainability and transparency with customers.

As a means to replace synthetic ingredients, natural and organic ingredients emerged, promising a more sustainable skincare routine and lifestyle while delivering impressive high-performance results. It all sounds like a brand you know, right?

THE CLEAN BEAUTY MOVEMENT

During the last few years, as environmental consciousness and the need for changes in consumption patterns increased, the search for natural and sustainable products grew, too. This explains the increasing popularity of the Clean Beauty movement.

The advances in science and technology made it easy to go on the internet and search for more information about any given ingredient. In a few clicks, you can find thousands of news or scientific articles showing, sometimes, questionable results and side effects. It’s only natural then that people start looking for alternatives, often vegan, natural, safe, and sustainable.

3 TIPS FOR SELECTING YOUR CLEAN BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Since Clean Beauty currently lacks federal regulations, terms like “clean” and “natural” in relation to cosmetics can be loosely used. In fact, a bill introduced in Congress last year, the Safer Beauty Bill Package, plans to change that by codifying such descriptions and banning controversial ingredients like parabens and formaldehyde. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips:

• If you are not quite used to purchasing Clean Beauty products, the first step is to read the labels. Many brands try surfing the wave of sustainability without following the generally accepted guidelines. The correct response is to read the labels and avoid ingredients such as petrolates, parabens, and sulfates.
• Checking for certification by reputable organizations is another excellent strategy to learn about what you are consuming. PETA labels, for example, can certify that a product is indeed vegan and cruelty-free. 
• Don’t forget about the environment! In Brazil, for example, companies like Instituto Lixo Zero [Zero Waste Institute] and EuReciclo [I Recycle] certify that brands and products have adequate discards of post-consumption packaging.

Some labels that certify eco-friendly actions

GREENWASHING: LOOK OUT FOR FALSE ADVERTISING!

If you are hoping to dive into the Clean Beauty universe, know that there are many options in the market, but not all are truly Clean. It’s a marketing phenomenon called greenwashing.

Greenwashing occurs when companies publicize misleading information about their formulas or packaging to advertise themselves as sustainable when, in reality, their production process is not akin to the description.

IMAGE COURTESY OF THIRTY SEVEN TREND

So, should I stick to 100% natural products? Well, not really. Remember: just because a product is natural, it doesn't mean it is not tested in animals. And the same goes for vegan cosmetics that can easily contain various synthetic substances. The best plan of action is to get informed about harmful ingredients and practices in the beauty industry and watch out for inconsistencies. 

SIMPLE ORGANIC: CLEAN BEAUTY FOR REAL

We were born with a sustainable DNA. From day one, back in 2017, Simple’s primary mission was to generate positive impact through sustainable solutions. Our formulas are incredibly thought out and restricted. The European Union bans about 1300 ingredients. We go further. Our The No List has over 2700 ingredients you won’t find in our products. That’s how seriously we take Clean Beauty.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SUSTAINABILITY

WHICH INGREDIENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN OUR FORMULAS?

So far, we’ve already mentioned several toxic or concerning ingredients, which are all banned from our formulas. However, there are also products obtained from nature, such as animal-origin waxes and pigments. Since they involve the exploitation of wildlife, they’re not incorporated into Simple Organic’s products.

Now, get ready to screenshot the list below – so you can check the ingredients of your next purchase!

Concerning ingredients NOT used by Simple Organic:

• Synthetic Fragrances;
• Animal-sourced Pigments;
• Animal-sourced Waxes;
• Phthalates;
• Mineral Oils;
• Petrolatum;
• EDTA;
• BHA;
• Silicones;
• Propylene Glycol;
• Quaternary Ammonium;
• Diethanolamine;
• Triethanolamine;
• Diazolidinyl Urea;
• Imidazolidinyl Urea;
• Sodium lauryl sulfate;
• Hydroquinone, Mercury;
• Toluene;
• Triclosan;
• Phenoxyethanol.

THE NO LIST - CHECK OUT THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS BANNED FROM OUR SKINCARE AND HAIRCARE FORMULAS

BEYOND THE PRODUCTS

The movement doesn’t stop at formulas and products. It’s also about promoting awareness regarding the origin of everything we purchase and the social and environmental impact generated by our consumption habits. And, of course, it’s about taking action.

Here at Simple, we believe in and embrace a production chain that is highly transparent towards our community.

• We offset the carbon emission of the entire logistics of our production chain;
• We have a reverse logistics system for our packaging;
• We are certified by PETA as a vegan and cruelty-free brand;
• We carry both EuReciclo [I Recycle] and Lixo Zero [Zero Waste] labels, which prove the recycling of all our packaging and residues;
• We support local producers via our partnership with Instituto Beraca, accomplishing the extraction of raw materials through sustainable management by local extractive communities in the Amazon.

Environmentally conscious movements like Clean Beauty encourage us to demand transparency and tangible actions from other brands. At Simple, we hope to inspire people and other companies to take their first step toward a sustainable future if they haven’t.

We need to value nature, small producers, and biodiversity. Understanding the products we purchase and use daily makes us more knowledgeable regarding their production chain and raw materials, thus more in control of our impact.

Ultimately, Clean Beauty is more than opting for sustainable products. It’s about choosing a sustainable lifestyle.

CLEAN BEAUTY IS A PRETTY SIMPLE AND LOGICAL IDEA, ISN’T IT? JOIN US FOR CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE BEAUTY!