Natural vs Clean Beauty: What’s the Real Difference?
The beauty industry has changed significantly. Long gone are the days of choosing a lotion based on its smell or an elaborate commercial. We pay more attention now than ever before to the products we use on our skin; as we browse through an array of established brands, we see two prominent and frequently used descriptions within their respective markets. Those descriptions are “clean” and “natural.”
At first glance, they appear to be interchangeable, but in fact, they are vastly dissimilar. If you’ve ever picked up a product and questioned whether it was safe or simply used those descriptions to sell you something, then this guide is created to assist you. Let's peel back the layers on clean beauty vs natural beauty to help you make the best choice for your skincare ritual.
Clean Beauty vs Natural Beauty: Breaking Down the Labels
To understand the difference between clean and natural skincare, we first must address the lack of regulations in the industry; currently, there are no worldwide legal definitions for either of these terms, meaning that each brand can define them freely, leading to the occurrence of “greenwashing.”
Natural Skincare Meaning
In basic terms, natural skincare refers to any ingredient that comes from nature, including plants, minerals, and even some animal byproducts (like honey and beeswax).
- The Pros: When using natural skincare products, you’re getting the pure power of botanical ingredients such as rosehip oil, aloe vera and jojoba oil.
- The Cons: Though born in 'nature', Ivy is an ingredient commonly found in natural products, and is poisonous (need some expert to remove it, as it is harmful). Additionally, natural products can sometimes be less stable, meaning they might spoil faster without synthetic stabilisers.
What is Clean Beauty?
Many people want to know “What is clean beauty?” are looking for answers regarding safety and transparency. Clean beauty means eliminating harmful or questionable ingredients from products for human health and the environment.
- Clean Beauty Standards: Clean Beauty generally means you follow a "Never List," which contains parabens, phthalates, sulfates and synthetic fragrances.
- Safe Synthetics: Unlike 100% Natural Brands, which only use raw materials, clean beauty embraces lab-grown ingredients in products. For example, Lab-made form of Hyaluronic Acid & Niacinamide could be just as Safe and Efficacious as raw, natural forms of these same components, which are often considered more stable and effective than their raw counterpart, yet it is still considered "clean" because it is non-toxic.
The Core Difference Between Clean and Natural Skincare
The key distinction is that the term "natural" relates to the origin/source of the ingredients, while "clean" refers to the safety of the ingredient. Thus, you could include an ingredient that is both "natural" (i.e. from the earth) or "clean" (i.e. non-toxic). A product can be natural but not clean (e.g., a natural cream preserved with harsh, irritating ingredients). Conversely, a product can be clean but not natural (e.g., a high-tech serum made with safe, lab-synthesised peptides).
Clean vs Natural Skincare: A Quick Comparison
- Ingredient Origin: Natural = sourced from the earth; Clean = could be sourced from the earth or from a lab.
- Safety Profile: Natural primarily focuses on the condition of a plant product, whereas Clean focuses primarily on being tested as non-toxic.
- Preservation: Preserving natural products (from mold or bacteria) typically involves preserving with essential oil, salt, etc.; achieving preservation or use of a clean product is typically achieved through synthetics.
Non-Toxic vs Natural Skincare: Why It Matters for Your Skin
We need to consider skin sensitivities when comparing non toxic vs natural skincare. Many individuals with reactive skin will often discover that using natural products is not the most sound choice. Many of the essential oils on the market are highly allergenic; therefore, in many cases, you may have a better alternative by utilizing lab synthesized "clean" products versus "natural" products.
A curated approach to shopping for natural beauty products is the best method. In your search, look for clean beauty products that bridge this gap–using the best of nature’s botanical-based products, along with clean formulations that meet safety standards.
How to Shop Like an Expert
To be an expert shopper when looking for clean beauty products, you need to be your own advocate, since terms are not regulated. You can do this as follows:
- Read the INCI List: The ingredient listing on the back is the only honest place.
- Look for Certifications: Third-party certification in the form of seals such as BioGro, COSMOS, and ACO.
You May Like: Guide to Clean Beauty Certifications
Navigating Your Natural Skincare Products Guide
If you are just starting to make your bathroom cabinet more conscious about the products you use, follow this simple natural skincare product guide:
Step 1: Cleanser
Consider gentle face cleansers as a substitute harsh sulfate-based cleansers with hydrating cream and oil cleansers. The goal of these products is to help maintain your skin's natural barrier; however, make sure to read the INCI list before using them to check that they're using plant-based emulsifiers instead of synthetic or petroleum-derived ones.
Recommendations:
Jasmine Oil Cleanser – Nourishing Cleanse & Soft, Smooth Skin
Elevate your skincare routine with the luxurious Jasmine Oil Cleanser, a gentle yet effective way to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities while deeply nourishing your skin.
Step 2: Serum
Look for hydrating facial serums that contain plant-derived extracts that are stabilised versus raw and unstable oils.
Recommendations:
Nectar Serum - Nourish, Hydrate & Restore Balance for Youthful Skin
Nectar Serum is a luxurious blend of nutrient-rich oils and botanicals designed to deeply nourish, hydrate, and restore balance to your skin.
Step 3: Moisturiser
Look to find a natural face moisturisers that has lipids derived from plants (like Squalane) that help to lock in moisture without the use of petroleum-derived mineral oils.
Recommendations:
Give your skin the nourishment and resilience it deserves with our Collagen Moisturiser — a deeply hydrating cream designed to support your skin’s natural elasticity while delivering everyday moisture.
Interesting Read: The Ultimate Natural Skincare Guide
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Balance
There doesn't have to be an "or" when choosing between the natural products that are pure, as well as those that are natural and clean. Many of today's highest-quality skin care products combine elements of nature with elements that have been developed scientifically, in order to offer you both purity and a degree of safety.
The type of skin care that you enjoy may depend on how much you want to invest in your skin, so being an educated customer is the first way to get your best skin.
