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In a world overflowing with beauty products, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what’s genuinely good for you. Even when you do come across labels that sound promising, it’s hard to know if a company is “greenwashing” its products to make them sound more natural than they really are.
We’re here to help you break through the confusion and demystify the concept of clean beauty. Learn more about the best non-toxic products so you can curate a sustainable, ethical, and nourishing beauty routine — while avoiding harmful chemicals.
Why Does Clean Beauty Matter?
Clean beauty means opting for skincare and makeup that’s made with non-toxic ingredients. Unfortunately, lots of beauty products contain a cocktail of chemicals that pose hazards to our health.
They might contain hormone disruptors, heavy metals like lead in cosmetics, carcinogens in shampoos, and other dangerous ingredients. Studies have shown that even low doses of endocrine-disrupting chemicals can have profound health effects.
The effects can add up over time, too. We use an average of 12 personal care products each and every day. The skin – our largest organ – becomes a gateway for these substances to enter our bodies.
What’s more, the beauty industry is largely unregulated, and the U.S. has only prohibited 11 harmful chemicals from personal care products. By contrast, the European Union has banned more than 1,000.
What Does Non-Toxic Beauty Mean?
The term non-toxic means that the ingredients in the products we use are not known to cause adverse health effects at any dose. Non-toxic products are also usually better for the environment and not tested on animals.
The best non-toxic products avoid harmful substances like sulfates, phthalates, formaldehyde, and harsh alcohols. Note that non-toxic doesn’t necessarily mean all the ingredients are derived from nature.
Synthetic ingredients aren’t necessarily toxic, just as natural ingredients aren’t always harmless. For instance, poison ivy is natural, but you wouldn’t want to rub that all over your face.
Read on for some tips on how to identify what’s truly safe and non-toxic, while avoiding the misleading labels that make a product sound more safe and eco-friendly than it really is.
4 Tips to Identify Non-Toxic Beauty Products and Skincare
Here are some ways to identify clean bath and beauty products, whether you’re shopping in store or online.
1. Avoid Harmful Ingredients
Understanding ingredient lists is your first line of defense. Familiarize yourself with common toxins and scan product labels to steer clear of them. Opt for products that openly say that they’re paraben-free, sulfate-free, or fragrance-free.
Here’s a fuller list of ingredients to avoid:
- Parabens : Often used as preservatives, parabens can disrupt hormone function and have been linked to breast cancer.
- Sulfates: Common in cleansers and shampoos, sulfates can cause skin irritation and long-term organ toxicity.
- Phthalates: Found in makeup, fragranced lotions, body washes, and hair care products, phthalates are known endocrine disruptors.
- Synthetic fragrances: These can cause allergies, dermatitis, and respiratory distress.
- Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: Used in many cosmetic products, these are known carcinogens.
- Oxybenzone and octinoxate: Common in sunscreens, these chemicals can disrupt hormone function and harm coral reefs.
- Heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, nickel, cadmium): Often found in color cosmetics, heavy metals can accumulate in the body over time and are toxic to organs.
- Polyethylene glycols (PEGs): Used in many skin care products, these can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are carcinogens.
- Siloxanes: Used in hair products and deodorants, these can be toxic to the reproductive system and disrupt hormone function.
2. Choose the Good Stuff
Now that you know which ingredients to avoid, let’s check out some better ingredients to look for:
- Aloe vera: Known for its hydrating and soothing properties, aloe vera can help moisturize the skin and heal irritations.
- Jojoba oil: This natural oil closely resembles the oil our skin produces. It’s fantastic for keeping both the hair and skin hydrated without feeling greasy.
- Tea tree oil: Got acne? Tea tree oil acts as a natural antimicrobial agent, helping to clear up pimples without harsh chemicals.
- Shea butter: Perfect for dry skin and hair, shea butter offers deep hydration and can also help reduce skin inflammation.
- Vitamin E: This antioxidant protects skin from damage and helps in the skin healing process.
- Argan oil: Argan oil can hydrate hair, giving it a shiny, healthy look. It’s also great for the skin, providing hydration without clogging pores.
The more you familiarize yourself with these beneficial ingredients, the easier shopping becomes. Brands that focus on natural and organic ingredients usually list them up front, so you know you’re getting the good stuff.
3. Look for Official Certifications
Another way to make sure a product is non-toxic is to look for an official third-party certification. Here are some certifications to keep an eye out for:
- EWG Verified: Products with this label have met the Environmental Working Group’s strict criteria for safety. They must achieve a “green” score in the Skin Deep database and fully disclose all ingredients, including those in fragrances.
- USDA Organic: This means the product contains at least 95% organic ingredients. Originally created for food products, the USDA Organic standard does not have direct authority over cosmetics. That said, seeing this label suggests the product has a high level of organic ingredients.
- Made Safe: This certification screens products against a database of known harmful chemicals, including carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. It evaluates the product’s entire life cycle to make sure it’s safe.
- NSF/ANSI 305: Developed for personal care products, this standard requires that a formula has at least 70% organic content.
- Natural Products Association: This standard demands that at least 95% of ingredients are natural and none have any health risks.
- Whole Foods Market Premium Body Care: This certification has strict guidelines for ingredient safety and environmental impact. To get this seal, products must not contain any of more than 400 prohibited ingredients, including parabens and sulfates.
Other Certifications to Look For
Alongside these certifications, these labels focus on ethical and social impact:
- Leaping Bunny: Indicates a company-wide audit to ensure no animal testing. This also extends to the company’s ingredient suppliers.
- PETA Cruelty-Free: Requires a company pledge against animal testing.
- Certified Vegan: Ensures no animal ingredients or byproducts are used, and that animal testing is prohibited.
- Fair Trade Certified: Shows that ingredients are sourced in ways that benefit workers, farmers, and the earth.
- Fair for Life: Guarantees that human rights are protected with fair working conditions and treatment for farmers.
4. Review Product Ratings Before You Buy
Finally, there are some great resources that can help you check whether a product is safe. Here are a few favorites:
- EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database: Developed by the EWG, the Skin Deep database assigns a hazard score from 1 to 10 to each product or ingredient, with “1” being the safest and “10” being the worst rating a product can get. This database contains a ton of products, but if you can’t find yours, you could try looking up individual ingredients instead.
- EWG’s Healthy Living App: This app, also from the EWG, gets data from the Skin Deep database and EWG’s Food Scores. The app’s Cosmetics tab is tailored for beauty products, and its barcode scanning feature is handy for quick checks while you’re shopping.
- Think Dirty App: Think Dirty is another popular platform for checking product safety. It provides detailed information about the potential risks and benefits of various products so you can stick to products that align with your health and wellness goals.
Top Picks for Non-Toxic Beauty and Skincare
If you’re looking for some specific recommendations to build out your beauty and skincare arsenal, here are some favorite non-toxic brands. You can also click on each type of product to check out our full guide and list of recommendations.
- Body lotion: Look for lotions enriched with natural moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and almond oil, and avoid any that contain synthetic fragrances or parabens. Some of our favorite brands include Avalon Organics, Mustela, and ATTITUDE.
- Face lotion: Opt for face lotions that are free from harsh chemicals and suitable for sensitive skin types. We love Weleda, Acure, and Nourish Organic, to name a few.
- Lipstick: Brighten your smile with lipsticks that use natural pigments and moisturizers like jojoba oil. Some safe lipstick brands include Beauty Counter, Noto Botanics, and True + Luscious.
- Lip Gloss: For a touch of gloss, select formulas with natural oils and butters, not petroleum. Some excellent options are Well People, Mineral Fusion, and Honest Beauty.
- Blush: Add a natural glow to your cheeks with blushes that use mineral-based pigments and are free from talc and artificial fragrances, such as Well People, Honest Beauty, and Alima Pure.
- Eye shadow: For a gentle touch, check out these non-toxic eye shadows from Mineral Fusion and Nudestix.
- Shampoo/conditioner: Give your hair some love with sulfate-free formulas that contain nourishing ingredients like argan oil and aloe vera. Alaffia, Shea Moisture, and The Honest Company are a few lovely options.
- Mascara: Get those bold lashes with mascaras that don’t use parabens or synthetic dyes. Well People, 100% Pure, and Ilia make some great nourishing mascaras.
Embrace Makeup and Skincare That’s Good for You and the Environment
And there you have it – your compass in the vibrant world of clean beauty! Remember, navigating this landscape doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
By avoiding harmful ingredients, looking for reliable certifications, and utilizing helpful ratings tool, you can build a bath and beauty collection that’s both safe and effective.
For more of our non-toxic makeup picks, check out our favorite healthy BB creams.
