Clean Beauty 101: Everything You Need to Know

If you like your beauty products the same way you like your people: non-toxic, then the clean beauty trend is for you!

The latest craze in skincare, it’s not just some fad or marketing ploy–clean beauty is real and here to stay. But, with so many celebs and idols backing it up out of nowhere, it can be hard to understand what is clean beauty and why it’s so buzzworthy. 

Don’t worry, your skincare fairies *aka, us*, are here to help you out! In this blog, we’ll be walking through everything you need to know about living an eco-friendly, skincare lifestyle – from packaging and sustainability, all the way down to finding brands and products that work best for your skin type. 

Get ready for a deep dive into all things clean beauty - because if there’s one thing we want you to take away from this post it's that taking care of yourself can also mean taking care of the planet too!

So, let’s get down to business!

What is clean beauty?

Clean beauty is not just a trend but a movement that encompasses products prioritizing non-toxic ingredients, sustainable sourcing, ethical manufacturing, and responsible consumption. This holistic approach promotes health and environmental well-being by emphasizing clean ingredients free from harsh chemicals such as sulfates and parabens. This ensures your skin is nourished without risking irritations.

Beauty products labeled as “clean” represent a conscious effort in their production process, leading to fewer emissions, less waste, and more ethical packaging. Certifications like EWG Verified, COSMOS Organic, and Leaping Bunny provide assurance about the safety and sustainability of these products. Clean beauty also champions transparency regarding ingredients and their origins. There is no greater satisfaction than using a clean beauty product, knowing it harbors no hidden harmful substances!

In an era inundated with synthetic and potentially harmful options, clean beauty stands out as a safe and responsible choice, enabling us to look and feel beautiful while adhering to healthy practices and environmental consciousness.

7 Most common toxic ingredients you should avoid to go clean

As we pursue beauty, it is crucial to understand the importance of going clean. While many brands are striving to produce safer and eco-friendly products, certain toxic ingredients still persist and should be avoided in your beauty routine. Here are the top 7:

1. Parabens

Parabens are synthetic preservatives commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products, designed to prevent microbial contamination and extend shelf life.

However, the long-term effects on health can be concerning. Research links parabens to hormone imbalances and a risk of cancer due to their estrogen-mimicking properties. This can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance necessary for healthy skin, potentially resulting in serious skin conditions over time.

The detrimental effects of parabens may not manifest immediately. Instead, symptoms like dryness, irritation, and discoloration can develop gradually. Shoppers must be vigilant about avoiding products containing these hazardous ingredients to maintain their skin health.

2. Artificial fragrances

While artificially scented products may seem appealing, they often hide harmful effects beneath their pleasant aromas.

The synthetic components in artificial fragrances can provoke allergic reactions, skin irritations, and worsen conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Many fragrances also mask other harsh chemicals like parabens and sulfates that can harm delicate skin.

3. Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals included in beauty products to enhance texture and prolong the scent of artificial fragrances. Concern arises from their association with reproductive issues, birth defects, diabetes, and breast cancer, along with being known hormone disruptors. Research has shown that these chemicals can lead to imbalances in natural oil production, adding further risk for sensitive skin.

4. Sulfates

Sulfates, commonly used in cleansers for their foaming properties, can damage the skin barrier by stripping away essential oils. They are prevalent in shampoos and body washes.

While small quantities may not be irritating, larger amounts can lead to dryness and redness. By breaking apart oil molecules, sulfates create excessive foam, leaving skin more susceptible to impurities.

5. Artificial colors

Artificial colors are synthetic dyes designed to provide specific hues to beauty products.

These colors may cause blocked pores, leading to rashes and allergic reactions, and risks increase with prolonged use. The safest choice is to stick with products labeled as free from artificial colors.

6. Mineral oil

Mineral oil is a colorless petroleum derivative found in various beauty products to enhance texture and hydration.

While it may provide temporary relief, it lacks beneficial nutrients and can clog pores, leading to irritations and an imbalance of the skin’s natural oils.

7. Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is a chemical often utilized in sunscreens but poses significant risks, such as harming coral reefs and disrupting hormone functions.

Some studies suggest it can seep through the skin and enter the bloodstream, potentially causing further health concerns. While effective for UV protection, consumers are encouraged to seek safer alternatives like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in sunscreens.

Clean vs. Natural vs. Organic beauty products: Is there a difference?

Beauty and skincare products are a multi-billion dollar industry, with more and more people in the detox market looking for ways to care for their skin in an effective and healthy way. Clean, natural, and organic beauty products have become increasingly popular over the years as consumers look for ways to avoid harsh chemicals found in traditional products. However, they are all different

As we said before, clean beauty specifically includes formulations free of silicones, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, talc and other ingredients deemed potentially toxic or harmful. On the other hand, natural beauty products will use ingredients from nature and utilize less in terms of preservatives that are found in traditional beauty products. Finally, organic products have met certain strict guidelines in order to be marked as ‘organic’, which usually means that they were cultivated without the use of pesticides or other synthetic additives. 

Clean skincare vs. Green skincare

Clean skincare and green skincare are two important kinds of skin care philosophy, but what do they mean? Clean skincare focuses on ingredients being free of nasties such as parabens, sulfates. But this doesn't necessarily mean they're natural or organic - instead it emphasizes the lack of potentially harmful chemicals. 

Green beauty follows an earth-friendly philosophy by using plant-based, sustainable ingredients that still bring their own goodness and efficacy to your routine without the risk of endangering plants or wildlife. So, it means that “green beauty” also translates to products that are vegan, eco-friendly, clean, and cruelty-free. 

In this sense, green beauty brands are also clean brands, however, clean brands are not always green. 

Best clean beauty brands: Korean Edition

The Korean beauty market is full of industry leading brands that have taken the world by storm. Over the last few years, this beauty industry has starting to join the clean beauty movement and, nowadays, many brands have drawn from traditional beauty rituals cultivated over centuries to create award-winning solutions that are known for their effectiveness and safety.

Here are our fave brands that offer clean beauty products:

COSRX

COSRX is a Korean cosmetics and skincare brand that has developed a strong reputation for its cruelty-free, non-toxic ingredients. As of late, however, the company has been gaining recognition for more than their ethical standards - COSRX products are also renowned for being clean and free from harsh additives like sulfates and parabens. 

Nowadays, COSRX has a long list of clean, cruelty-free, and vegan products that you’ll love!

Fave clean skincare products from COSRX

ADVANCED SNAIL 96 MUCIN POWER ESSENCE

• Clean 
• Cruelty-free

HYDRIUM WATERY TONER

• Clean
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

AHA/BHA CLARIFYING TREATMENT TONER

• Clean
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

INNISFREE

Innisfree has certainly established itself as an authority when it comes to clean Korean beauty brands. Their signature skincare and makeup products are catered towards those looking for natural and eco-friendly options that don't compromise on quality. 

Their commitment to sustainability runs so deep that they launched a recycling program in which customers can send back empty containers, glass bottles, and other packaging materials in exchange for Innisfree gifts. 

Fave clean skincare products from Innisfree

Olive Real Cleansing Oil

• Clean
• Cruelty-free
• Eco-friendly

BLUEBERRY REBALANCING CLEANSING WATER

• Clean
• Eco-friendly

Beauty of Joseon

Beauty of Joseon is a popular Korean brand, boasting countless positive reviews online. While the skincare and makeup offerings of this line are amazing, people may question if it is truly a clean Korean brand. The answer to this lies in their commitment to providing customers with all-natural and nourishing products that are free from harsh chemicals or other ingredients of concern. 

From their array of creams, serums, and face masks derived from traditional medicinal approaches, Beauty of Joseon holds true to their mission statement: creating safe yet efficacious products that work wonders on any beauty routine.

Fave clean skincare products from Beauty of Joseon

REPAIR SERUM: GINSENG + SNAIL MUCIN 

• Clean
• Cruelty-free

Green Plum + AHA Bubble Toner

• Clean
• Cruelty-free

GINSENG ESSENCE WATER

• Clean
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

• APRICOT BLOSSOM PEELING GEL

• Clean
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

Benton

Benton has certainly done a great job of creating a luxurious, high quality skincare brand. Not only do their products contain natural and organic ingredients, they also promise that all products are colors, chemicals, and fragrance-free. Their commitment to clean living and healthy skin is further bolstered by their transparent labeling system which allows customers to easily understand what ingredients are in the products they use on their skin. 

No matter who you are or what your skin types are, Benton has been creating products that make it easy for everyone to take control of their skincare routine with quality and sustainability at the forefront. 

Fave clean skincare products from Benton

BENTON HONEST CLEANSING FOAM

• Clean
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan 

SNAIL BEE HIGH CONTENT ESSENCE

• Clean
• Cruelty-free

TEA TREE CLEANSING WATER

• Clean
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan 

iUNIK

iUNIK is a clean K-beauty line that is free from harsh chemicals, parabens, and fragrances. It strives to create cosmetics made with only the safest yet most effective ingredients, such as natural oils and extracts that nourish rather than irritate skin. 

What makes iUNIK unique is its commitment to clean cosmetics, which means products not tested on animals and formulated without unhealthy components. These efforts have earned the brand several Korean awards for its ethical manufacturing practices and commitment to creating quality skincare without compromising your health.

Fave clean skincare products from iUNIK

VITAMIN HYALURONIC ACID VITALIZING TONER

• Clean
• Cruelty-free

CALENDULA COMPLETE CLEANSING OIL

• Clean
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

Lime Moisture Mild Peeling Gel

• Clean
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan

Korean clean beauty products: Where to find them?

Using clean makeup and skincare products has become increasingly important for maintaining healthy skin. With the large number of chemicals commonly used in everyday beauty products, it's no wonder that people are attracted to a safer approach to their beauty routine. 

Clean beauty products has fewer harsh ingredients meaning they will cause less irritation and dehydration of the skin. Plus, many natural, non-toxic skincare products contain rich antioxidants which help reduce inflammation and protect against environmental damage.

All in all, joining the clean beauty movement won’t only mean you’ll be taking better care of your skin, but also mean that you’ll be protecting your body against harmful and toxic nasties. 

If you want to enter the right path and start using clean products, you’ve come to the perfect place! In Asian Beauty Essentials you’ll find a curated selection of clean products free from fragrances, phthalates, sulfates, and more! 

Check it out and join the clean beauty trend! 

Related article:

• The Ultimate Vegan Skincare Guide: Brands + Products You’ll Love