Clean Beauty: How Well Do You Know Your Products?

Image Courtesy: Harper’s Bazaar

I’m the type who reads the entire ingredient list on my food packages before purchasing them. I want to ensure I’m not putting chemicals or toxins into my body. But why don’t I do the same for my skin? Our skin is the largest and arguably one of the most important organs in our body. It protects and keeps everything inside of us safe. But are we giving it the necessary tools to protect us? Are we protecting it?

The new “clean beauty” trend has prompted consumers to look for natural and reputable products. The beauty industry racks up billions of dollars from us every year, but we fail to consider the value of their products. When you’re wandering the aisles of Sephora and Ulta, do you look at the ingredients before adding products to your cart? Until last week, I trusted my products for their face value and accepted their labels as facts—“all natural,” “hair strengthening,” and “chemical free.” Last week my entire viewpoint on my products changed when I discovered that one of my favorite brands was being sued for causing hair loss and scalp irritation.

Image Courtesy: BBC

Olaplex labels their products as “clean;” however, recent allegations have proved this is not the case. According to BBC News, 28 women are suing Olaplex for $75,000. These women claim the products cause bald spots, scalp irritation, and infections. Olaplex denies these allegations. Yet, their products contain lilial and panthenol, which are chemicals that can cause hair loss and skin irritation as well as infertility. Olaplex has since removed these chemicals from most of its products but there are claims that its formula still has problematic ingredients.

But this made me wonder whether other products sitting below my bathroom sink could cause me unknown harm. I started researching my other products and learned that the expensive products I invested in to “treat myself” should have been left in the shopping cart. Of course, I wanted the entire Tatcha skincare line when I saw actresses and influencers such as Maddie Ziegler, Selena Gomez and Jennifer Aniston promoting them on their platforms and in interviews. I found out too late that Tatcha skincare uses alcohol and fragrance that can dry out and irritate your skin. The brand’s other ingredients are relatively clean and beneficial, but their products are not as “high-end” and “luxurious” as they claim to be. Maybe I’ll stick with my $12.08 CeraVe cleanser next time I restock my products.

Image Courtesy: Observer

With the emergence of the clean beauty craze, many consumers are shopping for the wrong goods for the wrong reasons. Social media and brand marketing contribute to the misinformation and “hype” surrounding substandard products. Many companies throw a picture of a leaf or tree on their products, so you automatically associate them with nature or fresh ingredients, but “clean” ingredients don’t necessarily need to be derived from nature. St. Ives facial scrubs are packaged with pictures of fruit, nature, and flowers. There’s also a big stamp on the top left corner of every bottle that states, “Made with 100% natural exfoliants.” They’re not lying—the main exfoliating ingredient is walnut powder. This may sound like a great, all-natural way to exfoliate your skin. However, walnut powder is extremely abrasive and can cause long-term damage to your skin barrier. Many dermatologists actually recommend chemical exfoliants for a gentler scrubbing process. 

Image Courtesy: Insider  

If you’re currently subscribing to the new “clean beauty” fad, don’t concentrate on finding “all-natural” and “chemical-free” products. Instead, focus on finding products that are free of toxins and recommended by hair specialists or dermatologists (not just tested by them).

The bottom line is to make sure you do your research on the products you buy and the ingredients they contain. It could save your skin and hair in the long run.

Strike Out,

Writer: Layne Schulte

Editor: Noelle Knowlton

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