clean vs. natural skincare: what’s the difference?
written by Syahara Pietersen
Skincare. One of those ominous topics that seemingly contains an endless amount of information. If you’re breaking out and decide to Google the best products to deal with it, you will get bombarded with articles about face wash, moisturizer, spot treatment and more. The associated overwhelm is very real.
On top of all of that, many skincare enthusiasts are looking to make the shift towards skincare that is not only effective but better for your health. There are more and more studies coming out about the dangers of products that are applied topically and get absorbed into your skin.
Before you allow yourself to feel overwhelmed right now, take a deep breath.
The key in tackling the topic of skincare is to take it one step at a time and to remember, it’s all about doing the what you can with what is available to you.
People are still learning new information in regards to skin health, so don’t feel pressured to know everything. Whether you’re an expert or just getting in to skincare, this is a great place to start.
natural skincare
Natural skincare is meant to relate to products that contain natural ingredients; ingredients that come from the earth (plants, minerals, or botanical extracts).
It’s important to note though, that natural does not always mean safe. An often used example to illustrate this is the idea of poison ivy, a plant that grows naturally without human intervention. However, it has no benefits to humans and actually is harmful if you rub it over your skin. This also doesn’t mean all natural products are bad, it just means that the word natural cannot guarantee complete safety of all ingredients.
Another issue, is that any brand can, technically, label themselves as natural due to a lack of regulations. And, because of this, their “natural” products can be green-washed (made to seem safe or eco-friendly) even though they contain harmful chemicals.
This isn’t to say that brands that label themselves as natural are all bad; it’s not guaranteed that natural skincare products contain toxic ingredients and the two do not go hand in hand. But, lack of a clear, industry-wide definition on “natural” and a lack of regulation regarding products that label themselves as such does mean you should take a closer look at the ingredients list of the products you pick up. '
clean skincare
So, what is clean skincare? While the word “clean” isn’t strictly regulated either, it does often carry more weight than “natural.”
When a product or brand is labelled as ‘clean’, it’s all about their ingredients list. It means that the products are created without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health (i.e. harmful or toxic chemicals); they try to keep their ingredients as nourishing for the skin as they can. The ingredients list should be FDA approved and the products are formulated with the customers body and health in mind.
With that being said, this does not mean that every ingredient is plant-based or natural. Synthetic ingredients (i.e. those created in a lab) are often used, as long as those ingredients are considered safe.
So, if you walk in to a Sephora, pick up a bottle of face wash from a brand that is labelled as “clean” and see a long list of ingredients that you can’t read, don’t panic. Some of the more effective clean products still contain ingredients that aren’t natural but are still considered safe for your skin.
While it’s hard to believe that conventional beauty companies would ever include harmful ingredients in their products, it unfortunately is still very much common practice, again due to a lack of regulations regarding toxic ingredients. With only a handful of ingredients actually being banned by the FDA, it’s generally up to the consumer to decide what “clean” means for them.
final thoughts
Navigating the realm of holistic skincare can truly be confusing, namely due to a lack of regulation with certain buzz words used by companies. Our recommendation is to opt for the "clean" label in your products as it's less ambiguous.
Other steps you can take include talking to skincare experts at the store you’re in, reading the ingredients list and Googling ingredients you’re not familiar with, or opting for products with fewer ingredients.
Skincare, whether it’s clean, natural, both or neither, can be an incredibly fun topic of interest to explore. But, like anything, it can be hard to know where to start. Knowing the difference between clean and natural skincare is just one of the many places to begin your journey.
Regardless, remember that skincare is meant to be enjoyed and doing your best with what you can is all that matters.
Sustainable Bliss Collective endorses products & brands we genuinely love and support. If you end up making a purchase through one of our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything but we may earn a commission. Learn more here.
share this on Pinterest!
about the author
Hey everyone! My name is Syahara. I am the founder of The Art of Morning Coffee, my lifestyle and opinion blog. I created the site for my fellow morning people; the people who derive joy from sunshine, a cool breeze and a simple cup of coffee. There is a warm feeling I get when I am up early in the morning, can sit with my coffee and journal. I hope to convey that same feeling through my words on my blog.
I am a writer, an avid food lover and amateur yogi. Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments! I’d love to chat.
