The Clean Beauty Myth: Decoding Labels & Embracing Authentic Sustainability
- Tease Hair Boutique
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
In today's consumer world we have endless options. When we go to the grocery store, we’re met with a variety of different brands for a single product, packaged to catch our eye and boasting labels for their “all natural ingredients” or “organic” stature, competing against each other for our attention and our wallets.
And this isn’t just about groceries: in today's beauty landscape, terms like "natural," "organic," and "clean" are frequently used, yet they often lack standardized definitions. This ambiguity can lead to confusion, making it challenging to discern truly eco-conscious products from those merely capitalizing on green marketing.
In this article, we dive into the differences amongst these terms and labels and share how to identify for yourself which products meet your clean beauty goals.
First: Natural, Organic, and Clean: What’s the Difference?
Natural Products
Definition: Products labeled natural typically contain ingredients sourced from nature (plants, minerals, or animals) rather than being synthetically made.
Important to Know:
Natural isn’t heavily regulated. Brands can use the term even if a product contains only a small amount of natural ingredients.Natural ingredients can still be chemically processed to make them usable in beauty products.
Example: A shampoo containing aloe vera and coconut oil alongside synthetic preservatives might still be marketed as "natural."
Organic Products
Definition: Organic refers to how ingredients are grown and processed—without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Important to Know:
In the U.S., to be certified organic (like USDA Organic), a product must meet strict farming and processing standards.100% Organic: Every ingredient is organic. Organic: At least 95% of ingredients are organic. Made with Organic Ingredients: At least 70% are organic.
Example: A hair serum with "certified organic" jojoba oil would come from plants grown without synthetic chemicals.
Clean Products
Definition: Clean beauty focuses on ingredient safety—formulations made without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health.
Important to Know:
Clean does not always mean natural or organic.
A product can be synthetic but still clean if the synthetic ingredients are safe and non-toxic.
Clean beauty avoids things like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances—regardless of whether ingredients are natural or lab-made.
Example: A clean shampoo might use a lab-created but non-toxic cleansing agent instead of a natural, harsher soap.
Key Beauty Product Labels to Look For
For Environmental Sustainability
USDA Organic
Verifies that ingredients were grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs.
Look for: "100% Organic," "Organic," or "Made with Organic Ingredients."
COSMOS (Organic and Natural Cosmetic Standard)
Common in Europe, certifies natural or organic sourcing, sustainable production practices, and eco-friendly packaging.
Ecocert
Global certification that ensures products are made from renewable resources and produced via environmentally respectful processes.
Rainforest Alliance Certified
Ensures ingredients (like oils or butters) come from farms that protect forests, wildlife, and workers' rights.
For Ethical Sourcing & Cruelty-Free Assurance
Leaping Bunny
Gold standard for cruelty-free certification — ensures that no animal testing was used at any stage of product development.
PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies
Certifies that the brand does not conduct, commission, or pay for animal testing anywhere in the world.
Fair Trade Certified
Guarantees that ingredients (like shea butter or cocoa butter) were ethically sourced, paying workers fair wages and supporting community development.
For Human Health and Ingredient Safety
EWG Verified (Environmental Working Group)
Indicates that products are free from harmful chemicals and meet strict health standards based on science-backed assessments.
Made Safe Certified
Products are screened for known toxicants and harmful substances across human health and environmental impact.
Non-GMO Project Verified
Ensures no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are used, especially important in plant-based ingredients.
Bonus: Other Helpful Seals
Vegan Certified (e.g., Vegan Action or Vegan Society)
No animal products or animal testing.
Carbon Neutral Certified
Indicates a brand measures, reduces, and offsets its carbon emissions.
Plastic Neutral Certification
Some brands (like those partnering with rePurpose Global) offset plastic use by removing the same amount of plastic waste from the environment.
Many high-end beauty products—like the ones Tease Hair Boutique carries (Kérastase, Alterna, Redken, etc.)—strike a balance: using natural or organic ingredients where they’re most beneficial, while applying clean beauty standards to ensure products are safe, effective, and luxurious.
Kérastase
Cruelty-Free Status: Kérastase is not certified cruelty-free. As part of the L’Oréal Group, they adhere to policies that allow animal testing where required by law, such as in certain countries.
Sustainability Initiatives: Kérastase has committed to enhancing sustainability by aiming for 100% recycled plastic packaging by 2030.
Shu Uemura Art of Hair
Cruelty-Free Status: Shu Uemura is not considered cruelty-free, as their products are sold in countries where animal testing is mandated by law.
Sustainability Initiatives: While specific certifications are not mentioned, Shu Uemura emphasizes clean beauty and sustainability in their product formulations.
L’Oréal Professionnel
Cruelty-Free Status: L’Oréal Professionnel is not certified cruelty-free due to the company's policy of allowing animal testing where required by law.
Sustainability Initiatives: They have implemented an Environmental and Social Impact Labelling system, providing transparency on the environmental footprint of their products.
Alterna Haircare
Cruelty-Free Status: Alterna's "My Hair. My Canvas." line is PETA-certified cruelty-free. However, the brand as a whole is not entirely cruelty-free, as it allows animal testing where required by law.
Sustainability Initiatives: Alterna is committed to clean beauty, formulating products without parabens, sulfates, and synthetic colors.
Redken
Cruelty-Free Status: Redken is not certified cruelty-free, as they permit animal testing where mandated by law.
Sustainability Initiatives: Redken has introduced environmental impact scores for their products, aiming to increase transparency and promote sustainable choices.
Kenra Professional
Cruelty-Free Status: Kenra Professional is PETA-certified cruelty-free, ensuring no animal testing is conducted at any stage of product development.
Vegan Status: While cruelty-free, Kenra is not entirely vegan, as some products may contain animal-derived ingredients.
Bottom Line
While some brands are not fully certified as cruelty-free or vegan, many are taking steps toward greater sustainability and transparency. It's essential to consider both ethical practices and environmental initiatives when selecting products that align with your values.
If you have any more questions or need further information on specific products, feel free to ask your Tease Hair Boutique Stylist!
Commenti