Table Of Contents
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What is the clean beauty movement?
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Ingredients to avoid
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Ingredients to use
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How to know if a beauty product is clean
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Clean beauty glossary
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Best clean beauty products for kids
As a parent, you know your child will eventually reach the age when they want to start wearing makeup or using personal care products for their skin and body. While it may seem easier to just leave it up to them, many products out there contain harmful ingredients that could damage their sensitive skin or lead to allergic reactions.
It can be challenging to find the right products to introduce into your child's new beauty routine, but that's where clean beauty comes in. Many brands in the beauty industry have joined this movement, creating products with natural ingredients and reducing any risky side effects that come with using toxic beauty products.
But what exactly is clean beauty, and how can you ensure your child is using products that follow it? Here is the ultimate guide for parents to help you out and keep you informed.
What is the clean beauty movement?
The clean beauty movement has popped up in recent years, responding to health and safety concerns within the conventional beauty industry. They are passionate about beauty brands being transparent about the ingredients they use in their products and encouraging them to switch over to safer ingredients.
Clean beauty moves away from toxic ingredients that may contain allergens and other harsh chemicals that lead to reactions, and more towards natural and clean ingredients like essential oils, which are gentle on the skin. The beauty companies that create clean products also tend to focus on being eco-friendly, from using recyclable packaging to using cruelty-free testing methods. They are often approved by associations like the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Ingredients to avoid
When looking for the best cosmetics and skin care products for your child to use, it's always best to go through the ingredient lists. It can help you identify which items are clean and which have harmful ingredients, such as the following:
Parabens
Parabens are often found in a wide range of cosmetic products. They're a group of preservatives and antimicrobial chemicals that stop things like bacteria and mold growing in your products. This may sound like a good thing. However, they have been closely linked to a wide range of health issues, such as thyroid disruption, cancer, and obesity.
Fragrances
A fragrance isn't a singular thing. It's something that makes your product smell a certain way and has a scent. They are often synthetic or natural chemicals paired with phthalates to keep things like nail polishes lasting longer. However, most people are starting to go fragrance-free to meet clean beauty standards as they reduce the chances of allergies and asthma attacks.
Ethoxylated agents
This ingredient includes additives such as polyethylene glycols, ceteareths, oleth, and sulfates. They all serve a purpose to make beauty products more durable and effective, but they also come with their downfalls. For example, sodium lauryl sulfate can be harsh on your skin and hair.
Formaldehyde
If you're someone who likes you and your children to use keratin products, you might want to think again, as they often contain formaldehyde. This preservative is a type of chemical that keeps your hair straighter. However, it's a human carcinogen that can lead to some negative health effects.
Refined petroleum
Refined petroleum, also known as mineral oil, is often the main ingredient in beauty products like lip balms and face creams. However, it comes with a wide range of environmental downfalls and health concerns. It has been found that it's the largest contaminant present in the human body, and has recently been listed as a carcinogen.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a topical bleaching agent often used in products that treat hyperpigmentation. It was originally approved by the FDA in 1982 but has since been debated over several safety concerns. It has been linked to many health conditions, such as cancer, a decreased immune response, and skin diseases.
Talc
This may surprise you, as many people use talc in their daily lives. It's especially commonly found in many beauty products, such as face powders and eye shadows. However, if the talc hasn't been purified during production, it can be contaminated with asbestos, so it's best to swap it out for a non-toxic ingredient.
Triclosan
You will often find triclosan in popular products like soap and mascara since it is an antibacterial and antimicrobial chemical. However, it's been linked to many issues like skin cancer, liver fibrosis, and hormone disruption (which is something you don't want to risk with your kids).
Silica
Silica, also referred to as silicon dioxide, is an agent that can be found in a wide range of products across the beauty industry. However, these pose many environmental threats. The main one is that if it's a refined silicon, it's not biodegradable and can negatively impact our planet.
Ingredients to use
It's better to look out for ingredients to avoid, but you can also find safe cosmetics by looking for beauty products that use the following:
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Plant oils
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Botanical extracts
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Shea butter
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Hyaluronic acid
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Vitamin E
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Coconut-derived surfactants
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Essential oils
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Natural butters
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Clays
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Plant-based extracts
How to know if a beauty product is clean
If you're struggling with reading the ingredients when looking for clean beauty brands, there are a couple of other ways you can ensure a product is clean:
Look for it on a clean beauty checker
A few people and organizations have developed websites and apps that allow you to input a beauty product and see if it's clean. Some of the most popular ones are EWG, ThinkDirty, and Yuka. The best one is probably EWG, as it's a highly regarded organization with a wide range of products in its system. However, it's good to keep in mind that it doesn't have every product in the world, so you might not find everything you're looking for.
Check for reviews and recommendations
There's no better way to see how good a product is than by looking at reviews. Before purchasing or using a cosmetic or skin care product, you should probably look up if it's recommended by other people who support the clean beauty movement. You can also discover how effective it is compared to other products, and help you make an informed decision over whether to buy.
But can’t I just trust the products in the store?
It’s always nice to be trusting of others and to believe they have our best intentions at heart, but sadly that isn’t always the case. It can seem simple to trust the brands being sold at stores since they have been approved by the FDA, right? Well, that’s not exactly the truth, and it’s something parents need to know about.
What many people don’t realize is that these types of products are not regulated in America. Unlike in Europe, brands in the U.S. can sell beauty products with harmful ingredients without facing consequences. This is because the FDA doesn’t prevent companies from using certain chemicals, and they don’t test products before they are allowed in stores.
This is alarming, which is why we urge you to always choose clean beauty products made with the safest ingredients.
Clean beauty glossary
You may see various words on beauty products, but what do they mean? Here's a simple glossary for you to follow:
Clean
Clean refers to beauty products that have been considered safe for humans and the environment.
Green
Green focuses purely on the environment and confirms that a product is eco-friendly.
Organic
Organic products use zero genetically modified ingredients and materials.
Non-toxic
Non-toxic means that a specific product has been proven not to cause any adverse health effects.
Sustainable
Sustainable is similar to green. It means that both the ingredients and packaging of the product are not harmful to the environment.
Vegan
Vegan means that the product doesn't contain any animal products or by-products.
Cruelty-free
A beauty product is cruelty-free if it hasn't been tested on animals anywhere throughout the manufacturing process.
Best clean beauty products for kids
Wouldn't it be easy if there was one platform where you could find only clean products specially formulated for children? Well, luckily, there is. Popsicle Beauty Club sells only beauty products that are safe and sustainable and perfect for the kids’ sensitive skin.
We carry a wide range of products, from cosmetics to skincare, so don't be afraid to browse through and find the best one for your child. (or even yourself!) You can rest assured knowing that everything you see on our digital shelves checks all the boxes of the clean beauty movement.
