Natural. Green. Organic. These are just some of the words commonly associated with a clean beauty product. But what makes a formula or ingredient “clean”? Whether you’re wanting to update your skin care products, or make more informed skin care purchases, knowing which ingredients you’re applying to the skin empowers you to make the best decisions possible.

Here at Eminence Organics, we’ve long made sustainable farming and green practices an essential part of the company’s value. We want to demystify the labels and help you develop an understanding of what is in your skin care products.

What Is Clean Beauty?

Since the beauty industry is self-regulated, it’s up to each brand to determine how they want to define clean beauty. Generally speaking, estheticians and other professionals within the skin care industry define clean beauty as products free from:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Propylene Glycol

Clean beauty products — as well as clean ingredients —  are also considered to be free of components that act as a carcinogen, irritant, or hormone disruptor. As skin care products are applied to and absorbed by the skin (our body’s largest organ), we need to choose products that are non-toxic and free from certain chemicals.

Here’s why avoiding some of these ingredients is good practice.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Have you ever noticed the development of dry, cracked skin or dermatitis on your hands after washing dishes or hanging out laundry? How about buying a new shampoo and getting an itchy scalp? SLS or SLES may be to blame. These chemicals are found in skin care and household cleaning products that bubble up or lather like foaming cleansers, shampoos or dishwashing detergents. Sulfates are often harsh for skin and hair because they strip natural moisture and nutrients. Something to keep an eye on when you check the labels.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives that prevent ingredients from going bad or developing fungi or bacteria. They’re often added to skin care and beauty products ranging from moisturizers to body wash. Some companies are choosing not to use parabens due to some scientific research stating that parabens mimic estrogen and disrupt various processes within the body. 

However, these findings are only drawn from animal studies. Harvard Health states that the jury is still out: “Many of the studies showing a direct relationship between these compounds and hormonal dysregulation have been performed in animals rather than in humans, and at higher doses than people would typically be exposed to through a cosmetic or personal care product.” 

Phthalates

According to this scientific study, phthalates are believed to be an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) which may cause reproductive and hormonal problems. Phthalates can alter the hormonal balance and potentially cause reproductive, developmental and other health issues. However, the study says that “more research” needs to be conducted. 

As the study states: “Epidemiological studies provide support for associations between phthalate exposures and airway, nasal, ocular, and dermal allergic disease outcomes, although the reported significant associations tend to be weak and demonstrate inconsistencies for any given phthalate.” 

It’s up to you as a consumer to decide whether you want to purchase clean beauty products free from these ingredients to eliminate any risk of harm. 

The Importance Of Transparent Labeling

In addition to clean beauty, there are other claims to look for on skin care products. Trending buzzwords like clean, cruelty-free, vegan, non-toxic, sustainable and green all have their own benefits. But because there’s no official regulation on how brands can use these terms, it’s up to consumers to do the homework and make informed choices.

• Clean: embraces the use of natural ingredients with minimal (if any) processing. Clean beauty products are full of nutrients and antioxidants, and are safe to use on the skin without the potential for discomfort or irritation.
• Organic: avoiding the use of pesticides or genetically modified ingredients/organisms in skin care formulations.
• Non-toxic: somewhat ambiguous. Labeling a product as non-toxic means that the recommended usage and amount has not been shown to cause any adverse effects to health. As it relates to clean beauty, non-toxic products don’t have any ingredients that could be considered toxic, regardless of usage or dose.
• Green: highlights products that don’t harm the environment, or claim to protect certain environmental resources, such as sunscreen that’s deemed reef-friendly.
• Vegan: formulations that don’t contain any ingredients or by-products sourced from animals. Many of Eminence Organics’ products are vegan.
• Cruelty-free: In addition to providing clean, organic beauty products, Eminence Organics is also cruelty-free. This means that products are not tested on animals at any step of the supply chain. 

How Do You Know When A Brand Is Truly Cruelty-Free?

Organizations such as the Cruelty Free by Beauty Without Bunnies create stringent guidelines that brands must adhere to be considered certified. These guidelines include:

• Never testing ingredients or formulations on animals
• Not using any ingredients from outside sources that have been tested on animals

Acknowledged and certified by Cruelty Free by Beauty Without Bunnies, Eminence Organics has long made the commitment to creating quality ingredients and products without ever testing on animals. Through sustainable and organic practices, we’re also proud to hold certifications from a number of prestigious organizations recognizing these efforts, indulging the Organic Trade Association, USDA Organic and the Green Spa Network.

From the start of Eminence Organics in 1958, using sustainable practices and organic, clean ingredients has been the foundation of the brand.

Eminence Organics & Clean Beauty 

Is Eminence Organics a clean beauty brand? Yes! 

Our products are free from:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS)
• Petroleum
• Parabens
• Propylene glycol

With sustainable and eco-friendly practices in mind, Eminence Organics takes clean beauty efforts a step further, too. We avoid the use of heating or other hydrogenating processes that diminish the nutrients and antioxidants found within plants and botanicals.

Biodynamic® ingredients play an especially powerful role in our skin care collection – including the Beyond Organic Collection. How do biodynamic ingredients differ? Taking traditional organic practices a step further, biodynamic farming incorporates pure and potent sources (think higher levels of antioxidants and nutrients) and harvests them using a simpler process that reduces impact on the surrounding land and environment.

If you’d like to learn more about the Beyond Organic Collection or experience Eminence Organic Skin Care, visit our Spa Locator and find out about the Spa Partner nearest to you.