Are you confused by the various labels on Natural skincare? I want to share my thoughts with you regarding the Green, Clean & Natural labels.
When you look at the back of a shampoo bottle or moisturiser, you'd be surprised by the number of synthetic ingredients added to well-known everyday products. From toothpaste to deodorant, our personal-care items are full of synthetics.
Some big brands are starting to catch up and now offer new lines using more "natural ingredients" or adding a percentage of organic components to their products. Smaller niche natural beauty brands can capture more of the market by only manufacturing in small batches to ensure freshness, effectiveness and being very clear in their labelling.
To be Natural, Organic, Vegan, Green or Clean, the discerning customer wants to know what's in the pot of a "revolutionary" anti-ageing product! So, to keep things simple, here's a brief overview of the differences:
CLEAN BEAUTY
The "natural clean beauty " label is open to interpretation. Most brands will use this phrase when they are promoting products that don't contain controversial ingredients.
Ingredients that are NEVER included in beauty products purporting to be cruelty-free, green, clean and vegan are:
Parabens: Preservatives that help products last longer.
Phthalates: Hormone disruptors. https://naturaler.co.uk/list-products-containing-phthalates/
SLS & SLES: Sodium Lauryl Sulphate & Sodium Laureth Sulphate - a foaming agent and known skin irritant. Both are known cleansing agents, also termed surfactants. Originally formulated for laundry detergents and still appear in shampoos and commercial soap bars!
Propylene Glycol: Used as a skin conditioner in the beauty industry, it is a chemical known to cause skin irritations.
GREEN BEAUTY
Green Beauty is a term used by the beauty industry to indicate that the product will cause no harm to human health or the environment. Ingredients used in Green Beauty are sustainably sourced, free from harmful additives, organic, wholly natural and eco-friendly.
Green Beauty producers consider the environment and are committed to ethical manufacture, formulation, sustainability and recyclable packaging.
NATURAL BEAUTY
Natural beauty is a vague label that doesn't have a regulated definition. Any company can define it their way, but it usually means that the ingredients are a mix of plants, botanical extracts and minerals. Pure botanical extracts in skincare can be nourishing; however, just because an ingredient comes from nature doesn't mean it's non-irritating or effective.
If you have extra-sensitive skin, some essential oils might cause a reaction. If you are switching skincare brands, it's always wise to do a skin patch test first.
VEGAN BEAUTY
Vegan beauty means that the product doesn't contain any animal derivatives. Some businesses undergo strict testing and audit to become certified by international organisations, such as Leaping Bunny. Small manufacturers and companies cannot always afford to apply for the Leaping Bunny certification - this doesn't mean they're not providing wholly vegan products. Manufacturers and Retailers can be Vegan without LB certification.
All but one of our products are suitable for Vegans and produced from natural ingredients, with some also having a percentage of organic plant-based ingredients.
If you're unsure whether the products you are buying are wholly cruelty-free and natural, always check the label. Ingredients used in the beauty industry are referred to by their INCA name (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients). As per beauty industry standards, cosmetic components are referred to by their scientific names and botanicals by Latin words. See our ingredients page for further information: https://www.livewellnaturalskincare.co.uk/fragrances-and-ingredients.
Live well luxury soap and skincare is vegan, biodegradable, mild, safe and effective. All our products are free of detergents, synthetic fragrances, artificial colours, preservatives and petroleum derivatives. We are Green, Natural, Clean and Cruelty-Free.
Choosing natural, green, clean, vegan beauty is opting for gentle products in harmony with nature.
Thank you for checking in; please feel free to share our article or leave a comment.