Glossary
A loosely defined marketing term describing skincare and cosmetic products that avoid ingredients perceived as harmful, toxic, or environmentally damaging. Clean beauty has no regulatory definition, no standardized ingredient list, and varies widely between brands and retailers.
Clean beauty is one of the most influential movements in the skincare industry over the past decade, generating billions in revenue and reshaping product development across the industry. Yet it has no regulatory definition. The FDA does not define "clean." Different retailers (Sephora, Ulta, Target, Credo) maintain different "clean" ingredient lists that sometimes contradict each other. A product labeled "clean" at one retailer might not qualify at another.
Most clean beauty frameworks share some common exclusions: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, and certain silicones. Some extend to exclude any synthetic ingredient entirely, while others focus only on ingredients with documented safety concerns at cosmetic-use concentrations. The criteria vary because the concept is marketing-driven rather than science-driven.
Some clean beauty exclusions are well-supported by evidence (formaldehyde releasers, certain phthalates). Others are more about perception than documented risk at cosmetic concentrations (parabens, mineral oil, dimethicone). The problem with fear-based ingredient lists is that they can push consumers toward "natural" alternatives that are actually less safe or less effective (for example, replacing a well-preserved conventional moisturizer with an unpreserved natural one that grows bacteria).
We do not market ourselves as "clean beauty" because the term is vague and co-opted. Instead, we are transparent: our ingredient lists are short, readable, and fully disclosed. We use ingredients with long safety histories (beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, honey). We skip ingredients we do not need (preservatives, because our products are water-free; synthetic fragrances, because essential oils or no fragrance serves our customers better). You can evaluate our products on their actual ingredients rather than a marketing label.
No. There is no FDA definition, no legal standard, and no certification body governing the term 'clean beauty.' Each retailer and brand defines it differently. The term is a marketing concept, not a regulatory classification. Always read ingredient lists rather than relying on front-of-package claims.
Not necessarily. Some natural ingredients (certain essential oils, lanolin, propolis) are common allergens. Some natural products lack adequate preservation and can harbor dangerous bacteria. 'Natural' and 'clean' are both marketing concepts that should be evaluated through ingredient lists and scientific evidence, not assumed to be safe.
Keep Learning
Browse hundreds of terms covering honey, beekeeping, and natural skincare.