What does Clean Really Mean? Why Beautycounter?
As we have become increasingly aware of the health implications of harmful chemicals and toxins, companies are finally listening and creating more “clean” options.
Did you know that in 2020 alone, clean beauty sales increased while the conventional beauty market hit a downward cycle? This fires me up so much because that means WE the PEOPLE are voting with our dollars, which is disrupting the industry! It’s so important to really understand how incredibly loose the beauty and/or personal care industry is and how poorly regulated it is. I was the consumer who would walk into a store and see the word “natural” or “organic” and believe that it was good for me. It’s so important to note, just because a company says their products are clean, doesn’t actually mean they are the safest option. I know! I was SHOCKED TOO!
So what does Clean Beauty REALLY mean?
It might surprise you that “Clean Beauty” is not a regulated term. Natural beauty, clean, green, organic, clinically tested, dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, pharmaceutical-grade, are very loosely defined.
But at its core, what does the clean beauty movement stand for?
Since there’s no legal or “official” definition, many brands have taken it upon themselves to define clean beauty according to their agendas. Shocking I know!
As a holistic health and wellness coach working with men and women around the world, I wanted to find a brand that not only advocated for safer beauty laws, but also some who really showed up and lead the path to a safer future for my family, myself and clients.
Twenty years ago I committed to my health and also spent hours upon hours, researching ingredients and spent a lot of money on safer options, only to be disappointed by their performance. Once I dug deeper I then discovered that the lipstick and makeup I was using contained lead and heavy metals, even though it was “natural.” I didn’t know I didn’t know but I truly thought that I was at the time making the best and safest choices for my health and my family and felt like I was lied to! This brought me to dig a little deeper and so find a company who did third—party testing. This is to make sure a company doesn’t “miss” or turn a blind eye to selling and producing products that are full of harmful contaminants.
Decades of studies indicate that serious health issues (including but not limited to asthma, cancer, and infertility) are on the rise and are due in some part to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it's in the shower, on our commute, while we eat lunch at a local restaurant, or when we clean our kitchens at home.
There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today. Many don't have any safety data. This is particularly true of those used in the skin care and beauty industry.
What's worse is that the Food and Drug Administration (the agency that regulates cosmetics in the United States) does not have the authority to remove harmful ingredients from the products we put on our bodies and on our kids' bodies every single day, day after day.
Why I recommend Beautycounter
Beautycounter is the only beauty company to third-party test for safety. They ban over 1,800+ harmful + questionable ingredients, ethically source ingredients, are committed to environmental sustainability, and have the strictest safety screening program to date.
From a performance standpoint, the products really freakin’ work. They work so well that they’ve been worn on the red carpet by celebrities like Mandy Moore, Connie Britton, Reese Witherspoon, Gabrielle Union, Tina Fey, and so many more. Even Tom Brady and Jennifer Garner rock Beautycounter products.
On top of that, Beautycounter is advocating for real change in the industry that would benefit everyone! Our CEO + founder, Gregg Renfrew even testified before Congress.
Their values of education, transparency, and advocacy align with mine, which is why I use, trust, and recommend Beautycounter.
We set the cleanest standards in beauty with our Blueprint for Clean.
We perfected The Clean Deo, our very first refillable product.
We passed three landmark clean beauty laws.
We donated over $655,000 to mission-aligned organizations.
We audited 100% of our mica suppliers in person.
So, to answer the question: “Does it really matter?” Yes, it does. I believe that everyone deserves safer personal care products and we’ll always turn to science to verify safety. If I’ve peaked your interest and you want to learn more, I recommend reading Sicker, Fatter, Poorer by Dr. Leo Trasande, a noted leader in children’s environmental health.
