Founded back in 2011, Bathe to Basics’ gorgeous skin, hair and body-care products are handmade locally in small batches in Hong Kong, using all-natural, cruelty-free ingredients; in fact, they were one of the first beauty brands here to offer eco-friendly refill stations for many of their products.

We talk to Edmund about how Hong Kong’s sustainability scene has changed over the years, his top green beauty tips and why he’s all about embracing the basics.

See also: Neighbourhood Guide – Eco Retail Shops in Central

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

We locally create products derived from nature for the benefit of both ourselves and the environment.

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

It feels good to be sustainable! It’s the same feeling you get when you help others – it’s just that you’re helping the environment and Earth instead. I believe that if all of us do a little to help the environment, our collective efforts will be big enough to change the future.

3. Fave eco brand?

Hyginova – they focus on making disinfectant that easily decomposes and their products are made locally in Hong Kong too.

4. Fave veggie dish in Hong Kong?

The spicy cauliflower hummus bowl from Chickpea. Their pickles are so fresh and tasty – you really feel the joy of veggies with their colourful selection!

5. Bathe To Basics started back in 2011; how has Hong Kong’s sustainability scene changed since then? And what improvements would you like to see in the future?

We started our refill stations when bulk shopping was not really a thing yet in Hong Kong. We provided more than just the body soap or shampoo that you’d normally expect, with refills for other products like toothpaste, cleansing oil and deodorant too. I’m happy to see more bulk shops opening around different districts these days, with even more product options!

When it comes to sustainability, I think most people are currently concerned about disposable containers and single-use plastics; however, I think it’s about more than just that. We should put more emphasis on ingredients too. Besides being vegan and cruelty-free, it would be even better if products didn’t use artificial fragrances and colours, as well as other ingredients that impact our environment, such as oxybenzone in chemical sunscreens which harms the sea and coral.

6. What are some of the biggest challenges in making your all-natural beauty products? How long does the development process take?

I think one of the biggest challenges is keeping ourselves up-to-date with the latest trends and standards. Going eco and natural is now a global trend, so we’re constantly checking to see if there are any better ingredients for our formulas. But of course, we’ll always embrace the basics, like our brand name! That’s why we use a lot of natural plant oils – they’re the most basic ingredient and still the best.

Indeed, the development process never stops! I think that is one of the benefits of being a smaller brand; we can keep our production batches smaller and keep our ears open to feedback from our customers, so we can make minor adjustments to our formulas and make our products even better. We also have so many ideas for new products – like shampoo bars, mouth wash and other customisable products. It’s an endless process as I think there is always room for perfection!

7. What are your favourite Bathe to Basics products? And what are your top green beauty tips?

My personal favourite combo is our Basic Facial Oil and Porcelain Face Scraping Plate. I love using oil in my skincare routine; the scraping plate helps the product get absorbed while boosting blood circulation and working its magic to keep my skin in good shape!

My top green beauty tip is to pay attention to ingredients and read the labels! Many of us aren’t used to reading labels and understanding ingredients; I think it’s essential for brands to provide their full ingredient lists for clarity, like Bathe to Basics does. As customers, we should also start learning how to read labels properly instead of just believing marketing jargon, so you know exactly what you and your family are using.

8. What shade of green are you?

A dark greyish green. It’s subtle and calming – I even dedicated one of the walls in my room to this colour! 

Find out more about Bathe to Basics on their website and Instagram

NEXT: See all ‘8Shades Of‘ interviews

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The post 8Shades Of… Edmund Ip of Bathe to Basics appeared first on 8Shades.

Frizz happens when the level of humidity in the air is greater than the level of water in your hair. As the moisture in the air rearranges the bonds inside each hair fibre, what was once a smooth look turns into chaos. Exposure to the sun, chlorine or saltwater, as well as heat from styling tools, also causes hair damage – usually resulting in dry and brittle strands, broken or split ends, thinning and discolouration.

So whatever you’ve got planned outdoors for summer, we’ve come up with a shortlist of hair products for your styling armoury – keeping your locks hydrated, healthy and silky-smooth throughout the season and beyond.

These products are all clean, meaning they’re free of parabens, phthalates, oxybenzone and synthetic fragrances that could harm you or the oceans. We’ve also looked for brands that use naturally derived and sustainably sourced ingredients and recyclable or no-waste packaging, and of course, which don’t test on animals. Here’s to more good hair days!

See also: 8 Ingredients To Avoid In Your Shampoo

Frizz, Frizz, Go Away

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Creme

Suitable for all hair types, including colour-, keratin- or chemically-treated or relaxed hair, Briogeo’s Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme is a vegan formulation that not only prevents kinks and poufiness, but also protects hair from the damaging effects of hot tools, like irons and hair dryers.

Ingredients include a hydrating blend of rosehip, argan and coconut oils, plus vitamin E to nourish and revitalise dry or damaged strands.

Available at Sephora HK

Shea Moisture Frizz Free Curl Mousse

Shea Moisture is a clean and cruelty-free line of hair products made with fair trade ingredients. Shea Moisture’s Frizz Free Curl Mousse is great for enhancing waves while reducing frizz without weighing hair down. Featuring shea butter and coconut oil to moisturise and repair dry and brittle hair, its formula also includes neem oil to control any kinks.

Its coconut and hibiscus scent transports you to a tropical island instantly. Use on damp hair, applying two to three pumps to each section, and comb through. 

Available at iHerb

Paul Mitchell Anti-Frizz Leave-In Treatment

Formulated with sustainably sourced ingredients – including 86 percent that are naturally derived – Paul Mitchell’s Clean Beauty Anti-Frizz Leave-In Treatment calms and protects locks against humidity, making hair more manageable and easier to style with continued use.

Cold-pressed almond oil helps nourish and strengthen hair with omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, while hyaluronic acid provides hydration to help prevent future breakage. Even better, it comes in recyclable, bio-based packaging made from sugarcane.

Available at LookFantastic

The Honest Company Conditioning Detangler

Featuring a nourishing blend of ingredients like jojoba protein, shea butter, quinoa extract and argan oil, The Honest Company’s Conditioning Detangler leaves dry hair frizz- and knot-free – keeping it smooth, soft and hydrated, with a sweet vanilla and orange scent. It’s lightweight and gentle enough to use everyday and also works great after a swim.

Available at The Store HK

For A Squeaky Clean

Love Beauty & Planet Blooming Color Shampoo

A micellar-water based shampoo, Love Beauty & Planet’s Blooming Color Shampoo is sulfate-free, protecting colour-treated hair with a mix of coconut oil, murumuru butter, rose water and plant-based cleansers. 93 percent of its ingredients are naturally derived, creating a formula that breaks down completely, unlike many shampoos that don’t decompose fully over time.

This shampoo also comes in two other formulas – Argan Oil & Lavender for frizz control, and Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower for strengthening and volume.

Available at iHerb

Innersense Detox Hair Mask

Innersense’s Detox Hair Mask is a clarifying treatment with a relaxing scent of sage and vanilla that can be used for all hair types and textures. Charcoal, kaolin and certified-organic white vinegar gently remove build-up from the hair shaft, helping bring microparticles to the surface without stripping hair of natural oils.

Available at Niche Beauty

Create Your Own Waves

Rahua Enchanted Island Salt Spray

No time for a beach trip just yet? Get an effortless tousled beach wave anytime by spritzing Rahua’s Enchanted Island Salt Spray on dry or damp hair to create volume and texture.

Naturally anti-bacterial pink sea salt detoxifies and exfoliates the scalp, giving hair a tousled look, body and hold. Meanwhile, guava hydrates and softens, while antioxidant hibiscus helps boost shine, strengthens, reduces UV damage and provides hair colour support. Vitamin C-rich passion fruit also helps regulate the optimal pH balance for your hair and scalp.

Available at SSense

Ouai Air Dry Foam

One of the cult brand’s best-selling products, Ouai’s Air Dry Foam creates beautifully air-dried, frizz-free, beachy waves that last the whole day. It’s formulated with kale extract that helps smoothen locks, giving hair a defined natural finish – without the curling iron!

Available at Sephora HK

BeautyBio Healthy Scalp Dry Shampoo

A dry shampoo that gives hair an ultra-clean feel, plus great volume and lift, BeautyBio’s Healthy Scalp Dry Shampoo uses the brand’s proprietary Flash Wash Technology to deep clean the scalp, while its FolliGRO complex goes into the roots to encourage hair growth.

Its formulation includes loquat leaf, which increases hair density, strength and thickness; rosebay extract, which dissolves scalp build-up, soothes inflamed skin and reduces flaking; and larch tree, which balances sebum production, preventing hair from getting and looking greasy. The alcohol- and starch-free formula leaves hair feeling fresh without any chalky feel, and with a radiant sheen.

Available at Harrods

See also: 8 Safe & Sustainable Shampoos in Hong Kong

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Despite trying hundreds of skincare products over the years, Dorothy Chau couldn’t find a line that matched her needs perfectly. She also found herself on the receiving end of complaints from her girlfriends about their own host of skin problems – from eczema caused by the changing of seasons and pollution, to dry and sensitive skin, as well as breakouts caused by stress.

Chau decided to do something about her skincare dilemma. Her goal? To create simple solutions for the most common skincare concerns. She wanted to offer a small yet incredibly effective hypoallergenic range of products, focusing on plant-based ingredients, and do away with tedious skincare routines.

Inspired by TCM

She sought advice from one of her doctors – an expert in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) – who suggested several ingredients that were commonly prescribed for the skin, including goldflower root extract and snow mushroom. According to legend, they were even favoured by the great beauties of the Song and Tang dynasties.

Goldflower root extract, or huang qin, is widely used in Chinese medicine to reduce inflammation, and is prescribed to people with diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. In skincare, it prevents ageing caused by pollution and free radicals, keeping the skin plump, tight and smooth for a youthful appearance.

Meanwhile, snow mushroom – known as hyaluronic acid’s vegan cousin – is a powerful moisturiser that can hold water a thousand times its weight, and works to increase skin elasticity and reduce inflammation.

In 2020, after a year of research and development, plus months of travelling across the world in search of a lab to produce the line, Botanic Pretti5 was born.

The Botanic Pretti5 Range

The range includes six products: Hydropower Brightening Cleanser, Antioxidant Hydrating Toning Essence, Advanced Hyaluronic Serum, Intensive Water Glow Moisturiser, Hydro-Rescue Repairing Night Mask and Miracle Glow Facial Oil.

To say that the reception was warm would be an understatement, and products started flying off the shelves. Chau, who had no marketing budget, was surprised and delighted when she found out that three of Pretti5’s products received Elle Beauty’s Empty Bottle award.

The Advanced Hyaluronic Serum is the star of the line, with a potent formula of 12 botanicals that include huang qin, snow mushroom and green tea leaf extract, plus vitamin B3 and provitamin B5, which all work to nourish, eliminate puffiness and sooth irritated skin.

The Miracle Glow Facial Oil comes second, with Chau attributing its popularity to its versatility; it can be used on its own or mixed with the brand’s Intensive Water Glow moisturiser depending on how dry one’s skin is.

For those wanting to wake up with dewy skin, the Hydro-Rescue Repairing Night Mask is a leave-on formula crafted with lavender, amur tree bark and aloe barbadensis, which effectively eases skin fatigue for eight hours straight.

Made in Japan

Chau chose to work with a Japanese lab to produce Botanic Pretti5 skincare as she was impressed by how stringent their quality measures were, from formulation to testing, and how they also placed importance on aspects that she values.

This includes using biodegradable and recyclable packaging, not testing on animals and creating non-comedogenic formulas that are free of alcohol, parabens, SLS surfactants, artificial fragrances and synthetic colourants.

The brand has the clean beauty thumbs-up from Sephora too and is safe for pregnant women to use. Still searching for high-performance, clean beauty solutions? Look no further and give Botanic Pretti5 a try!

Available at Sephora HK and Botanic Pretti5

See also: Shop Local: 8 Homegrown Clean Beauty Brands in Hong Kong

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The post Stress & Skincare: How Dorothy Chau Founded Botanic Pretti5 appeared first on 8Shades.

As conventional beauty and skincare products are often made with ingredients such as micro-plastics, silicones, parabens, mineral oil, or other harmful chemicals, Angie started The Organic Store in 2020 to bring her favourite clean beauty and skincare brands from Europe to Hong Kong.

In our latest edition of ‘8Shades Of’, Angie shares what sparked her sustainability journey, her best and worst eco habits and what consumers should look for in clean beauty products.

In one sentence, tell us what you do!

I am the founder of The Organic Store, a clean beauty platform in Hong Kong selling Europe’s top natural skincare products that are good for our skin, our wallets, and the planet.

Why are you an 8Shader?

There wasn’t really an ‘aha’ moment when I first encountered sustainability. It’s always been a habit of mine to preserve Earth’s precious resources. When I was a kid, my parents always reminded me to save water and energy, and that was probably the beginning of my sustainable lifestyle. My dad (who’s now 82) actually invented a micro-wind-turbine generator, and he is still working hard to promote renewable energy.

Your best eco habit?

I reuse and recycle whenever and wherever I can – although it’s difficult to do so in Hong Kong. And yes, we need more recycling bins/stations in Hong Kong.

Guilty not-so-green habit?

I am still a meat eater, but I’m trying to reduce my meat consumption and the amount of wasted food.

Fave eco product?

Our UpCircle Beauty’s Coffee Body Scrub made with upcycled coffee grounds and lemongrass essential oil, as well as Nuud Care’s Vegan Anti-odorant, an effective, natural and safe deodorant for everyone.

Fave veggie dish in HK?

Anything with Impossible Meat in it!

What are the things that our readers should look for in clean beauty products?

First, become more familiar with skincare ingredients. These are the common harmful ingredients you should avoid: formaldehyde, parabens, petroleum (mineral oil), aluminum, and phthalates.

Second, look for logos like ECOCERT, The Vegan Society Trademark, NATRUE, COSMOS and USDA ORGANIC on beauty products. I am an advocate for European products because the EU has more stringent and protective laws for cosmetics/skincare than many other countries, including the US.

By selecting clean beauty products, you’ll naturally be doing less harm to the environment. Opt for recyclable packaging or even better, zero waste products.

What shade of green are you?

I believe I am pistachio green. There are still many things I can do to help my community adopt sustainable behaviours and create a more sustainable community.

Follow The Organic Store on Instagram @theorganicstore.hk

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See also: 8Shades of… June Ng of Tempehola

The post 8Shades of… Angie Poon of The Organic Store appeared first on 8Shades.

Thankfully in Hong Kong, we have options! These Hong Kong-born clean beauty brands make transparent beauty products that are easily accessible to the conscious consumer so you can have peace of mind knowing that what you put on your face is not only safe but ethically and sustainably produced.

See also: The Truth About… Clean Beauty

1. GLOHS

When GLOHS founder and Hong Kong native Giselle Lee was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, she never imagined the journey to recovery would lead her to establish a natural beauty line. In dealing with the side effects of her cancer treatments, Lee realised just how many harmful chemicals go into the skincare products she used. She set off on a new path to learn as much as she could about mineral, essential oils and herbal remedies as substances to help her through her treatments. 

The journey led to a discovery of natural ingredients, many of which have been used for centuries and are incorporated today into her own skincare line, which include a range for normal and sensitive skin. Today, GLOHS products use only natural ingredients, aiming for organic whenever possible, a decision that is not only good for our bodies but better for the environment too!

Tip: Check out GLOHS’ ingredient glossary to learn what’s going onto your skin!

Learn more about GLOHS here.

2. SKIN NEED

If there’s one person who knows how to weed out a less-than-clean beauty product, it’s a skincare formulation specialist! As a biochemist, Christal Leung spent most of her working career behind the scenes in Southern California where she was involved in the formulation and manufacturing of private skin care labels. Recognising a need for more specialised skincare solutions, and jaded by the industry’s one-size-fits-all approach, she started her own skin care lab right here in Hong Kong.

Skin Need — Your Private Formula seeks to be a functional and wholesome skin care brand that recognises the uniqueness of every skin. This is carefully done in a variety of ways, from formulas that honour the skin’s individuality and are free of chemicals or animal testing, to doing away with traditional beauty brand conventions like a bloated marketing budget or enforcing a hero product that may detract from the skin’s actual needs. As the largest organism on our body, Skin Need offers an enlightened and mindful approach to skincare for real individuals.

Tip: Head to their website for a skin analysis that includes a complimentary consultation!

Learn more about Skin Need here.

3. Irene Beauty

Tucked away in Yuen Long, mother-daughter duo Peony and Irene of Irene Beauty established their own beauty oasis to deliver not only skincare products but personalised, plant-based, therapeutic-grade skincare services that help individuals achieve their skin goals. While many commercial beauty centres can feel impersonal, Irene Beauty believes the beauty salon is a place for guests to understand their skin better, learning how to utilise skincare correctly and effectively for real results. 

Relying on the time-honoured tradition of reputation, Irene’s notoriety precedes her as she has spent years creating treatments for satisfied guests, never needing to rely on social media or ads. Irene Beauty’s ethical treaments include facials, advanced medical treatments, and even laser hair removal and semi-permanent makeup. The salon also curates products from clean beauty brand faves like HK’s Skin Need, France’s Maison Louise Marie, Australia’s Mukti and Biologi, and California’s Skin Expert. With the seasons changing, now is the time to book a treatment with Irene to get your skin all sorted for the cooler weather ahead!

Tip: Build your own summer to fall routine with Irene Beauty’s Early Autumn Edit.

Learn more about Irene Beauty here.

4. Woke Up Like This

Harnessing the power of Beyoncé’s mantra for beauty standards and expectations, Woke Up Like This is the brainchild of BFFs and cosmetic fanatics, Jenn and Tawnia, who were confronted with the daunting truth about the harmful ingredients found in mainstream makeup products. From hormone disruptors to heavy metals, the list of toxins deeply worried the duo deeply. Together they built their own vision of cosmetics, built on the principles of fun, integrity and confidence. 

What you will find in WULT’s range are nourishing lip oils, suncscreens and hand creams, mineral concealers, face tints in comfortable textures, hydrating formulas and only contain plant-based, natural ingredients like rosehip seed oil and lavender. What you won’t find are parabens, fragrances, denatured alcohol that can dry out skin or comedogenic ingredients that can clog pores. These beauties feel good to wear, and are safe for your skin too. In the words of Queen B, “We flawless!”

Tip: Sign up for WULT’s Gal Pal Community to benefit from monthly specials and perks

Learn more about WULT here.

5. Zero Yet 100

When it comes to skincare, and any consumption choice, there’s more to consider than just “me”. Hong Kong skincare brand ZeroYet100 keeps it 100 with its holistic approach to its products and packaging. A natural skincare brand through and through, the decision to put the best on your body, and have the least impact on the earth, is easy to do with their body and face products. All products are packaged in refillable, recyclable or repurposable packaging, so your skincare journey is earth-friendly too. Each item is 96% free of plastic packaging and labels.

Even better, their formulas are chemical and aluminum free, and are never tested on animals. What this means is that they’re safe and toxic-free for everyone, from children to moms-to-be to grandparents. Each product is also personally tested by co-founders Anita Patel and Sheetal Alvani to verify effectiveness too. And when it comes to labels, there’s no hiding here: all ingredients are pure and listed on the package, handcrafted in house at their Hong Kong workshop.

Tip: Try their Mini Me sets to test their range, or as a perfect gift!

Learn more about ZeroYet100 here.

6. Coconut Matter

When it comes to health, mom knows best! As a mother, Coconut Matter founder Diane van Zwanenberg was inspired by a desire to give only the best beauty products to her daughter — that means safe for her, and the planet. From there, she outlined the brand’s four pillars: the coconut as the origin and basis; innovative and toxin-free ingredients; zero waste processes from formulation to packaging; and fair trade to protect the earth and further the communities where Coconut Matter’s coconuts come from!

Since 2015, Coconut Matter has blossomed as a locally recognised eco-minded brand, into a leader in waste reduction and sustainability across Asia. While their natural deodorants may be their claim to fame — they’re beloved for their long lasting effect, plastic-free packaging and safe ingredients — their velvety smooth coconut body butter and insect relief are repeat crowd pleasers.

Tip: Subscribe to their newsletter for 10% off your purchase!

Learn more about Coconut Matter here.

7. Botanic Pretti5

Reflective of Hong Kong itself, Botanic Pretti5 blends the best of East and West to optimise your skin and restore your natural glow. Every single product is developed with the expertise of a Traditional Chinese doctor to utilise the best herbal ingredients, while leveraging the power of Western skincare technologies. The result is a tailor-made experience that eliminates the stress of fact-checking each ingredient in your skincare routine.

After scouring the globe for the best place to produce their products, Pretti5 settled on their laboratory in Japan where they believed they could acquire the highest level of professionalism in creating their beauty line. Shop by skin concern to curate a skincare routine that works best for you, your lifestyle and your skin type. Their topical collection section even covers maskne and periodskin for those pesky mask-induced pimples, and the tired skin that can occur during that time of month.

Tip: Pretti5 is now available at Sephora!

Learn more about Pretti5 here.

8. INUF 

For INUF founder Olive Wong Chui, knowing what’s needed for her skin to stay fabulous was never a guessing game. Her mother, a beauty industry professional, often provided great insight and guidance to Olive, so much so that friends regularly thought she must be wearing foundation. Hence the birth of I NEVER USE FOUNDATION, or INUF. For those of us still looking for our North Star, we’re in luck: Olive pours her tests, trials, advice and analysis into her carefully tested products. 

While all items in the skincare line are formulated in INUF’s state-of-the-art R&D lab, everything is developed in small batches to ensure safey and effectiveness. But beyond its skincare products, INUF is also a skincare experience, with a Skin Spa and Nail Sweet Nail salon, both of which offer treatments and services to keep you stress-free and looking luxe. For those who want a truly closed circle skincare routine, INUF’s Green Beauty Bar at its flagship store in Tsim Sha Tsui has a refill station which makes reusing your INUF bottles easy and economical!

Tip: Check out INUF’s Aura Photography studio for a fun gift or experience idea

Learn more about INUF here. 

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Clean Beauty

Clean beauty essentially refers to makeup or skincare products that do not contain harmful ingredients. This usually means that a beauty product should consider human and environmental health, use a nontoxic element as a baseline and plant-based ingredients. 

Ingredients to avoid in your cosmetics include parabens, fragrances and phthalates, aluminium compounds, ethoxylated agents (which include sulfates, the compound that causes products to lather but can irritate your skin), formaldehyde, petroleum, talc, triclosan, silica and oxybenzone (a compound in sunscreen that harms coral and can cause skin irritation). 

To adopt a clean beauty routine, start with products that are intended to stay on your skin all day, like a moisturiser, sunscreen, deodorant or body lotion. Then move to clean shampoo, conditioner, skin care and makeup products. 

Organic Beauty

The term “organic” refers to how an ingredient is farmed, for example it must be prepared and grown without pesticides, fertilisers, sulfates/ parabens or antibiotics. 

Nontoxic Beauty

Did you know that water and oxygen can be toxic in the incorrect dose? When a beauty product is labelled nontoxic, it means that the ingredients have not been shown to cause adverse health effects for the intended use and that the ingredients have not been deemed toxic at any dose by a third-party resource. However, this is true of most beauty products, so this may be a shrewd marketing practice. 

Cruelty-Free vs. Vegan

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things. 

Cosmetics are vegan if a product does not contain any animal products or animal-derived ingredients. It’s important to note that the term describes the ingredients of a product, not the production process. Therefore, products that are tested on animals can actually claim to be vegan, meaning that “vegan” doesn’t always equal “clean.”

On the other hand, cosmetics are cruelty-free if the final product has not been tested on animals. The term generally refers to the production process and not the ingredients, which means that it is possible for a cruelty-free product to contain non-vegan ingredients, like honey, beeswax, lanolin, carmine or gelatine. 

It’s easy to neglect one or the other term when making purchasing choices about cosmetics, especially when brands market both as the end-all of ethical cosmetics, but the best option is to seek out both vegan and cruelty-free descriptions on a product. While this is more difficult to find, it’s not impossible, especially as demand grows and companies respond to this demand. 

Labels to look for

Look for accreditation on a product label to back up a company’s claims. Organisations that are generally respected in this area include Choose Cruelty-Free, The Vegan Society, PETA and Leaping Bunny. 

Vegan and cruelty-free labels do not necessarily guarantee that a product’s ingredient list is clean, ethical, safe and all-natural. You’re better off reading the ingredient list to be sure that you’re not putting potentially dangerous chemicals on your skin or ingredients that have been tested on animals. Also, be aware of the packaging of the product; is it plastic or made from recyclable materials, like paper?

Another thing to consider is the human cost of creating cosmetics. Cruelty-free labels do not extend to the human labour that goes into sourcing ingredients and creating products. For example, while mica is a commonly used ingredient in eyeshadows, it is notorious for its use of child labour. Try and look for companies that are committed to fair and transparent labour standards.

We hope that this guide has demystified some of the terms around clean beauty and that you are inspired to adopt your own clean beauty routine.

See also: 8 Ingredients to Avoid in Your Shampoo

The post The Truth About… Clean Beauty appeared first on 8Shades.