Nowadays, when we go to buy cosmetics or skin care products, we see a lot of labels with words like "Clean" and "Natural" on them, don't we? When we see these, we think, "Oh... these are good for the body, they are non-toxic, and they are made from natural ingredients." In fact, the companies that make these products want us to think that way. But is that the real story? Today, we will talk about the real story behind this big wave called "clean beauty".
What is this 'Clean Beauty' craze?
Simply put, it's big business. The market for products labeled "clean" and "natural" is growing by the day. Even some famous actresses are introducing their own "clean" product lines. They say that these products are free of chemicals that are harmful to the skin, hormone disrupters, and cancer-causing ingredients. Also, there are some stores that sell only "clean" products. They claim that they have removed more than 3,000 harmful chemicals from the products they sell. When we hear all this, we think that these are the best.
But the biggest problem here is that the world's major regulatory agencies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ), have not given a specific legal definition for either "Clean" or "Natural." That means that any company can say "our product is clean" as they please. It's just a marketing term.
Is it really safe just because it says 'natural'?
The answer to this question from dermatologists is "no." The label "natural" is not a guarantee of safety. What's really happening is that these words "clean" and "natural" are scaring people. Some ingredients that some "clean beauty" companies list as "harmful" are actually very beneficial things that dermatologists recommend to their patients. A good example is
petroleum jelly (petrolatum). This is what we all know as
Vaseline . Some "clean" brands have labeled it as "toxic" and put it on the banned list. But as dermatologists, we always recommend it to people with skin conditions. Because it's
very inexpensive, causes very few allergies, and is great for retaining moisture in the skin. On the other hand, even things that are labeled "natural" can be harmful to the skin. Especially for those with sensitive skin.
These things can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. In medicine, we call this condition
'allergic contact dermatitis' . The skin becomes red, itchy, and itchy. One study found that of 1,651 products sold under the label "natural,"
94% contained at least one natural ingredient that could cause an allergic reaction . So, it's no wonder that it's so wrong to assume that something is safe just because it says "natural."
| What is being said in 'Clean Beauty' marketing? | Medical fact |
|---|
| 'Natural' products are always safer. | Even natural ingredients (e.g. essential oils) can cause severe allergic contact dermatitis . |
| 'Clean' means free of toxic chemicals. | 'Clean' has no legal definition. It is not a guarantee of safety, but merely a marketing ploy. |
| Things like petroleum jelly (petrolatum) are harmful. | Dermatologists often recommend it as an inexpensive, safe, and highly effective treatment. |
So what do we do? How do we become intelligent?
With all this, you may be wondering, "So what should I use?" Don't worry. We can all act like smart consumers. Here are some simple tips from dermatologists.
1. "Less is more"
Only use what your skin really needs. Applying 10 or 15 different products on your face will expose your skin to too many chemicals, which increases the risk of allergies.
2. View the ingredient list
Especially if you have sensitive skin, try to choose
products with fewer than 10 ingredients . The longer the ingredient list, the more likely it is to contain something you may be allergic to.
3. Do a patch test
This is very important. Do not apply any new skin care product to your entire face first.
- Take a little and rub it on the inside of your elbow or behind your ear .
- Apply a small amount to the affected area every day for 7 to 10 days.
- If there is no redness, itching, or blistering in that area during that time, the product is probably right for you. Otherwise, if you experience any allergic reactions, stop using it.
4. More expensive is not always better.
Don't think that "if the price is high, the quality is also high." That is a completely wrong idea. There are very good, safe, and effective products on the market at very reasonable prices.
The most important thing is, if you have a skin condition like acne , eczema , or psoriasis , don't just trust what you see on the internet, social media, or advertisements and try out different types of cosmetics. See your family doctor or a dermatologist for proper advice and treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Labels like 'Clean' and 'Natural' are not legally defined. They are often just marketing gimmicks.
- Even ingredients that are said to be natural can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. So just because something is called 'natural' doesn't make it 100% safe.
- If you have sensitive skin, choose products with fewer ingredients. The shorter the ingredient list, the lower the risk.
- Before applying a new beauty product to your face, it's important to do a ' patch test ' on a small area, such as the inside of your elbow, for a few days.
- If you have any skin problems, don't be fooled by advertisements and always seek advice from a qualified doctor.
Clean Beauty, Cosmetics, Skin Allergies, Natural Products, Skin Health, Dermatology, Cosmetics
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