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Here’s the thing — there’s no established or common definition for this. So, it’s more or less up to each brand to create their own rules about what is ‘clean’ (which is what makes things so confusing!). In a perfect world, and at the very least, the term ‘clean’ should mean that a product is made without ingredients that have been shown to harm human health.
Just because a product is labeled as being ‘clean’ doesn’t mean it’s non-toxic.
This term is used to indicate that a product has been tested in a clinical trial, usually to prove its efficacy for helping with a specific skin issue. Clinical tests can be done in a lab (these ones are called in vitro) or with real people (invivo).
Clinical trials take a lot of time and money, so a lot of brands rely on anecdotal claims about their products.
There’s no established legal definition for this term, so brands are free to use it however they want. Because “cruelty-free” doesn’t have a legal or official specification, it could mean a lot of things, like ingredients being tested vs. the final product, or companies outsourcing testing to another country.
In a perfect world, this term means that a product has not been tested on animals. Cruelty-free products aren’t necessarily vegan. Don’t take this term at face value — read up on the specific brand or product to confirm.
This simply means that one or more dermatologists have tried the product and given their seal of approval. There are no legal guidelines for this — whether they tried it for a day or a month, it doesn’t matter. You’ll usually see this term on products that are meant for specific skin concerns, such as eczema or acne.
Ideally, a product with this label has been evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist to confirm the product is safe and effective.
Essential oils are pure and highly concentrated. They’re extracted from plant roots, flowers, leaves, bark, and fruit using steam.
They’re great for aromatherapy, but not necessarily for your skin. Because they are so concentrated and fragrant, essential oils could cause irritation, allergic reactions, or general redness when applied directly onto the skin (though more research is needed on the specifics).
This term means that a product does not contain any added fragrance as a standalone ingredient.
The terms “fragrance, natural fragrance and parfum” can hide a multitude of sensitizing ingredients that can cause irritation and inflammation, especially to those with sensitive skin.
Microbiome refers to the layer of microorganisms (like bacteria) that naturally live in different layers of our skin. It might sound icky, but not all bacteria are bad — many of them actually help protect and defend our skin.
Products claiming to protect or boost the skin’s microbiome are a recent trend that probably won’t slow down. These formulas might contain prebiotic ingredients (to feed the good bacteria) and other ingredients that help fend off the bad guys.
This is a marketing term, because there are no FDA restrictions about how it’s used. Lotions, creams, and even some serums are made with a water in oil emulsion, and an oil phase is needed to create the formula. A loose interpretation of this term would mean that a product isn’t formulated with any ingredients that have the word ‘oil’ in their name.
First of all, not all oils are bad! Additionally, oily skin still needs oils in order to maintain balance and proper functionality. Lastly, most oil-free products contain some level of synthetic oil, so don’t rely on this buzzword to pick out your products. Instead, look for terms like lightweight and non-comedogenic.
Organic plants and fruits are grown in a controlled environment wherein they’re not exposed to any synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Not all natural or plant-based skincare will be organic.
The term ‘organic’ is another one that’s not regulated by the FDA, so brands can use it to describe a product even when only some, or even one, of its ingredients is truly organic.
The term ‘parabens’ refers to a group of chemicals (mostly synthetic) that act as preservatives. In skincare, preservatives are used to increase a products’ shelf life and prevent things like mold and bacteria from growing inside of the formula.
Some scientific research has linked the use of parabens to certain skin allergic reactions, but much more research is needed. Still, they’re very controversial and many feel uncomfortable about using products with them (so we keep them out of all Bubble products).
Plant-based and natural skincare products are made entirely from ingredients that are derived from plants and other natural sources (like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, florals and herbs).
Just because it grows in nature doesn’t mean it’s better for your skin — or that it won’t cause irritation. Natural and plant-based ingredients can be safe and effective, but there are also plenty of synthetic ingredients that are, too.
Sulfates are surfactants commonly found in personal care products that wash away dirt, oil and other residue (like makeup), and they’re also what makes a product lather or foam up. Sulfate-free means that a product is formulated without sulfates.
When overused, sulfates can irritate and dry out the skin. Plus they’re controversial — meaning that more research is needed to confirm just how safe (or unsafe) they really are.
This is another term that’s unregulated, so it can mean a lot of different things. Generally, it’s used to indicate that part (not necessarily all) of a products’ ingredients, production and manufacturing processes, and packaging is eco-friendly in some manner.
We’re all for sustainability and protecting the environment, but that doesn’t mean we take this term at face value (and you shouldn’t, either). When you hear that something is sustainable, dig a little deeper to find out exactly what that means — because it could mean a lot (like being zero-waste), or not much at all (like a few ingredients that were harvested sustainably).
In skincare, the word vegan means that a product does not contain any animal byproducts or animal derived ingredients (such as oils or waxes).
Thankfully, most cosmetics companies have been avoiding the use of animal byproducts for a while (so it’s a trend that’s here to stay), but not all of them. Check the label to make sure.
Thank you for shopping at KHAYAAN! We hope your purchase enhances your self-care routine and leaves you feeling fabulous. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
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