Clean Beauty Skincare Qualifiers and What to Look For When Buying
Do you know what clean beauty skincare qualifiers are? Unfortunately, it can be hard to sift through all the marketing jargon to determine if a product will be effective for your skin type. That’s why dermatologists created a skincare product qualifier system. Skincare product qualifiers make us more or less likely to buy a product, and this is why marketers use them! But at the end of the day, what do they really mean and what should you be looking for in skincare? In today’s video I’m breaking down the meaning of various labels to help you choose smarter.
What are Skincare Qualifiers?
The skincare industry is a little terrifying. With the multitude of brands, products and claims on the market, it’s easy to feel like you’re swimming in a sea of misinformation. That’s why the Environmental Working Group produced a list of qualified ingredients, called the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. This list sorts ingredients into seven different categories, depending on the safety of their use on skin. These categories include:
- Endocrine disruptors – any ingredient that alters the hormone system
- Sensitizing – any ingredient that causes allergic reactions in some people
- Carcinogenic – any ingredient that can cause cancer
You might think that all skincare products are good for your skin. However, using the wrong products can actually do more harm than good. Skincare qualifiers are extremely helpful when selecting products, as they indicate the relative safety and effectiveness of a product.
Skincare qualifiers include:
– FDA Approved: this qualifier indicates that the FDA has reviewed the product and determined that it is safe for human use
– All Natural: this qualifier indicates that the product is free of chemicals and synthetic ingredients
– Cruelty-Free: this qualifier indicates that the product was not tested on animals
– Organic: this qualifier indicates that the product is derived from plants that are grown without pesticides, herbicides
Why do Skincare Qualifiers matter?
So, what is so important about skin care qualifiers? I’m so glad you asked! For starters, they can help you find products that are safer and healthier. While not all products with “natural” and “organic” claims are created equal, if you know what to look for, you can find products that really are free of added synthetic chemicals.
Most people don’t realize the difference between cleansers and moisturizers, and some don’t even think of skincare as the category of products it really is. But whether you’re a skincare guru, beauty expert, or simply someone who wants to know more, understanding these differences is the first step in choosing the right products for your skin. One of the main reasons why so many people are confused about skincare is that the FDA does not require product labels to include the ingredients’ concentrations by weight, like it does with cosmetics and other personal care products.
What does Clean Beauty mean?
Natural beauty is the way to make sure that you are not poisoning yourself. But, what is natural beauty? What does it mean? The phrase is used to describe products that contain natural ingredients, or are made without chemicals and other synthetic compounds. The movement has been gaining momentum in recent years, as more and more people have become aware of ingredients like parabens and sulfates, and the potential risks associated with using those ingredients.
The more we learn about the ingredients in the personal care products we use on a daily basis, the more concerned we become about their safety. While it’s true that some companies have changed their formulas to comply with stricter health and hygiene regulations, many of the changes have little to do with what’s actually in the product, and more to do with marketing a new product under the guise of a natural, clean, or safe beauty product.
What are the benefits of Clean Beauty?
We’ve been saying it for years, but it bears repeating: the Standard American Diet (SAD) is doing a real number on our bodies. The processed, fatty, salty, and sugary foods we consume on a daily basis are slowly but surely killing us with heart disease, diabetes, and obesity all looming as major health issues. By shopping for cleaner, more natural products and products with ingredients we can pronounce, we can greatly reduce the amount of toxins in our bodies.
There is no denying the environmental impact of today’s beauty industry, with its chemicals, synthetic ingredients, and animal testing. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There is a growing movement to bring back natural beauty, where using natural ingredients is the norm and not the exception. The beauty industry is also starting to wake up to the health and environmental concerns of its products, and there are now products on the market that are better for your skin and better for the environment. Gone are the days when you had to choose between looking great or feeling great.
What are Skincare product qualifiers?
If you are a seasoned skincare product user, you are likely aware that many products use synthetic chemicals that are either irritating or harmful to the skin. However, this is not the only thing to check for when determining the safety and efficacy of a skin care product. It is also important to know the type of synthetic chemicals used in the products you are using and their potential role in triggering or worsening allergic reactions and also the potential of certain chemical preservatives in skincare products to cause irritation and contact dermatitis. Note that in many cases, even natural or organic skincare products may contain potentially harmful chemicals.
When it comes to skin care, the quest for clear, healthy skin is a never-ending one. There are so many products out there, it can be tough to decide which one is best. One of the most important factors to consider when buying a new skin care product is the quality of the ingredients it contains.
More About Natural Skincare
Hydration
It can’t be stated enough that this is one of the most important keys to healthy skin. Your beverage of choice should be water, not sodas or coffee, if you want beautiful skin. You must drink water consistently throughout your day as well. A sip of water now, but nothing for hours afterwards leads to dehydration. Water flushes out impurities, helps keep the skin moisturized from the inside out, and also helps you to control your weight.
Throw out old skin care products
Nearly all skin care products have a “use-by” date, and it is important to adhere to it. The ingredients in these product break down over time and being exposed to the air. If you see lotions or creams separating, or you notice a funky smell from any of your skin care products, get rid of them pronto. They are likely contaminated with bacteria, which can lead to skin irritation and break-outs.
Having problems with acne? Your skin may be acne prone, which means your pores clog easily, due to the type of skin you have. You may have oily skin, dry skin, or a combination of dry and oily skin. Oily skin causes the pores to clog and dry skin creates a lack of moisture that leads to sensitive skin and break outs. Treating your oily, dry, or dry-oily skin with the proper remedies such as those mentioned above can help prevent and reduce facial acne. Microdermabrasion can help to reduce the appearance of acne scars and dry skin. As an acne treatment, microdermabrasion is also a great preventative tool.
