The Clean Beauty Boom: A New Era in Skincare
The beauty industry is rapidly growing in today’s social media filled world with influencers and their “glam” tutorials. However, within the beauty industry, we see an area of the field specifically growing. That specific field is experiencing a surge in clean beauty. In 2022, the clean beauty market was valued at $6.32 billion. But some of you might be asking, what is clean beauty? And why is it rising to be so popular?
There is no clear definition of what clean beauty is, but we do know one thing: clean beauty refers to skincare, makeup, and cosmetic products that are formulated without harmful or questionable ingredients. The concept emphasizes transparency and safety while prioritizing ingredients that are considered non-toxic, ethically sourced, and environmentally friendly. Many clean beauty products prioritize sustainability in packaging and production, often being cruelty-free and vegan. It’s a movement driven by health-conscious consumers seeking safer alternatives to traditional beauty products. Clean beauty is sometimes confused with organic or natural beauty, but the terms aren’t the same. Clean beauty products may still contain synthetic ingredients, as long as they are safe and non-toxic. It's not about being all-natural but avoiding harmful substances and focusing on the transparency and wellness of the products.
There are several driving factors to why clean beauty products are on the rise, including health-conscious consumers, eco-friendliness, and many influencers. With growing awareness of how chemicals affect health, more people are choosing safer, non-toxic products. Many more consumers are starting to seek products that align with their values and sustainable packaging. Influencers have even had a significant impact on the rise of clean beauty. By sharing their personal experiences, product recommendations, skincare routines, and get ready with me videos on social media they have driven awareness and trust in clean beauty brands significantly.
With the driving factors in clean beauty, also come the challenges that you have with clean beauty products. One of these challenges that consumers face with different brands is greenwashing. Greenwashing is when a company falsely advertises its products or practices as environmentally friendly or green to appear more eco-conscious than they are. Some brands have been known to mislead their customers by marketing themselves as clean without backing it up. One of the most prominent brands facing this greenwashing is Burt’s Bees. The brand tends to market itself as natural and environmentally friendly but recently has faced criticism for using synthetic ingredients in some of its products.The other big challenge when it comes to these products is accessibility. Clean beauty products are often priced at a higher price due to the higher-quality ingredients, which makes them less accessible to many consumers.
Clean beauty signifies a change to more moral and secure methods. The need for sustainability and transparency in beauty products will only increase as consumers place a higher priority on their health and the environment, making clean beauty a long-lasting trend in the beauty industry.