The triumph and popularity of electric vehicles over fuel vehicles is majorly attributed to the fact that the environment is not polluted by petrol and diesel and also, the natural resources are not depleted. Similarly, the concept of clean beauty aims to eliminate the toxic chemicals that are widely found in almost all skincare and beauty products, yet achieve the end goal of the perfect skin and hair.
The basis of the clean beauty movement is to use products that are free from artificial ingredients and harsh chemicals which cause long-term damage to their users. With extensive research being conducted in the skincare sector, it has been uncovered that certain chemicals that have been long used in cosmetic products have been linked to diseases such cancer, defects in the reproductive system, and endocrine system dysfunctions, to name a few.
Ingredients to avoid
Key ingredients that have been identified as toxic and that should be strictly avoided in order to follow clean beauty are parabens, silica, sulphates, formaldehyde, fragrances, oxybenzone, triclosan, refined petroleum, hydroquinone, and talc. Products like Maui Moisturise Revive & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo have a sulphate free formulation, majorly made of plant-based ingredients, making them an epitome of clean beauty.
Clean beauty came to a rise with the help of a few trends. Trends keep changing with respect to times and cultures. Some of the clean beauty trends that will be on the rise for 2023 are listed in this article.
1. Refill, recycle and reuse
Paying heed to the composition of a product is not enough; the packaging of the product also needs to adhere to certain standards for it to qualify as a clean beauty product. An increasing number of brands are thus focusing on the ability of reusing or recycling their product containers to reach a more ecological end goal. Certain brands have even resorted to acquiring empty containers of used products from their customers and offering a discount on their next order for the said gesture. This gives customers an impetus to be more conscious of their contribution to the environment. Bare Necessities is one such brand which employs this tactic to play their part in the clean beauty domain.
2. No plastic packaging
With time, more and more brands are opting for plastic-free packaging, even those which aren’t strictly clean beauty brands. The easy availability of metal, glass and paper-based containers has facilitated this enormous shift in the packaging sector. This has been a significant game-changer for the reduction of single-use plastics in daily life and has created awareness among a large base of users about the demerits and dangers of plastic usage, which they would not have comprehended so clearly otherwise. A large proportion of waste generated in India on a monthly basis consists of plastic skincare and makeup containers, which end up remaining in landfills and contribute to the creation of a hazardous environment. Juicy Chemistry, India’s first organic beauty brand, uses cardboard and glass containers for their products.
3. Minimalistic composition
A new goal for clean beauty brands is to include as few ingredients as possible in their products, while ensuring their full efficacy. Smaller number of chemicals means that a lesser number of external agents enter our bodies and make it into the environment, while also not causing a big hole in our pockets. This will allow brands to do more extensive research into active components which have a significant effect on the problem that they are trying to address, ensuring that they deliver their best product.
4. Vegan and cruelty-free
A primary goal that most beauty brands aim to achieve in the current day is to incorporate only vegan ingredients in their product, and warrant a cruelty-free product. The mantra of vegan beauty is that if an ingredient is good enough to be ingested, then it can ideally be used in a product. Using animal-based ingredients like honey, placenta, squalene, and gelatin have not proven to be superior, as compared to vegan alternatives. Beauty brands are also working towards entirely eliminating animal testing, as they know that their customer base would find that appalling and as a major deal-breaker when it comes to purchasing products.
5. Natural scents
Aluminium-loaded fragrances have been in abundance in the market for ages, but clean beauty is hitting the pause button on that pattern. Natural deodorants and more nature-inspired fragrances are the new buzz. Possessing ingredients like essential oils and natural oils; natural deodorants are a much better alternative to ammonia and aluminium-containing deos. Switching to natural scents is not only good for your body, as you’re no longer in contact with harmful chemicals, but they also prevent excessive sweating and the formation of yellow stains on your clothes. A win-win situation for everyone!
There are a plethora of beauty brands today which cater to the clean beauty category. Be it sunscreen, hair care products or even lip balms, users are free to choose every single product of their skincare routine from a clean beauty brand and get started on their journey. For example, the A'kin Rosemary Daily Shine Silicon Free shampoo is a great alternative to such shampoos in the market whose primary ingredient is silicon. The Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is made of botanical ingredients and mild acids, making it a great choice for the first step of your skincare routine!
The idea of sustainability has been on the rise in recent years, especially among Gen Zs and millennials. As a result, they are more inclined towards trying out more environmentally friendly and natural products as opposed to traditional products that are known to cause harm to the environment as well as torture and exploit animals and human labour. Clean beauty practices, just like clean eating, aims to utilise plant-based ingredients and environmentally and biologically safe products to deliver the skincare goals of an individual.
If you are looking to switch to clean beauty and follow the trends, it is important to do your own research and properly investigate the brand you are looking to switch to. However, do not fret if you aren’t able to make a 100% shift; it is the effort that counts and your small steps make up the global progress towards sustainability, so planet Earth will be indebted to you. So go clean today!
- Srishti Chakraborty
