What do these beauty buzzwords mean?
If you’re confused about the difference between clean, green, natural, and vegan beauty, you’re not alone! These beauty buzzwords are often used interchangeably by brands, consumers, and beauty insiders alike. Since the beauty industry isn’t regulated by the FDA, any company can greenwash or market their products as “natural” or “clean.” Sorting through the beauty label jargon can make finding products even more daunting!
Unsure of the difference between clean, green, natural, and vegan beauty? Here’s a rundown on how to decode these common beauty-label buzzwords.
Clean Beauty
Clean beauty is still open to interpretation, but most brands and experts use this phrase when they’re referring to products that don’t contain controversial ingredients.
For example, online beauty retailer Credo, has strict ingredient guidelines and only stocks products that aren’t formulated with anything on their ‘Dirty List.’ You can read more about what they ban here. The list includes ingredients that are known carcinogens (e.g. formaldehyde), or chemicals linked to skin irritation, hormone disruption (phthalates), or other issues.
Green Beauty
Green Beauty is an umbrella term used by the beauty industry to indicate that the product doesn’t cause harm to the environment or to human health.
Ingredients used are organic, eco-friendly, sustainably sourced, and free of harmful chemicals. Green beauty carefully considers the environmental impact and is committed to values like ethical formulating, transparency, and recyclable packaging.
Some of my personal favorite green beauty brands include Creation Skin, Mica Organics, Wabi-Sabi Botanicals, and Noshaba Apothecary.
Natural Beauty
Natural beauty is a vague and confusing label that doesn’t have a regulated definition. Any company can define it their own way, but it usually means that the ingredient list is only comprised of plants, botanical extracts, and minerals.
Pure, botanical extracts in skincare can be powerfully healing and nourishing. However, just because an ingredient comes from nature does’t mean its non-irritating or effective. If you have extra-sensitive skin, essential oils from tea tree oil or lavender oil might cause a reaction. But everyone is different.
Vegan Beauty
Vegan beauty means that the product doesn’t contain any animal-based ingredients. Some companies go through strict testing by certifying organizations like Leaping Bunny to meet requirements.
Vegan beauty is great, admirable, and ethical in many respects! But just because a product is vegan doesn’t necessarily mean that its cruelty-free or free of harmful and synthetic ingredients (like Parabens). Just make sure to double-check the ingredient list! Check out my post on vegan and cruelty-free masks!
