If you've been in the skincare game long enough, chances are that you've familiarised yourself with the principles of the clean beauty movement and those of the natural beauty movement as well. And while a lot of people may use those terms interchangeably, with phrases like "if it's clean, it must be natural, no?" being thrown around, is that really the case? Well, while it may seem like both are cut from the same cloth, they aren't. Since there's no higher governing authority that defines 'clean' and 'natural beauty, it's easy to mix up the two. Ahead, we're listing down the differences that set clean and natural beauty apart, starting with what they mean. Read on…
What is natural beauty?
Natural beauty refers to products that are made out of pure, nature-derived ingredients without any added synthetics. Think of multani mitti, haldi, and more. All of these qualify as natural beauty products; their main USP is that they don't have any lab-made chemicals and only contain natural ingredients. Essentially, natural refers to the purity of ingredients present in the skincare product.
What is clean beauty?
Clean beauty is vastly different from natural beauty. Instead of relying only on natural ingredients, clean beauty contains a few lab-created chemicals. However, it focuses on third-party testing to ensure the ingredients' safety and is generally cruelty-free, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. With clean beauty, you get a science-backed skincare product that contains natural as well as non-toxic chemicals.
So, which one is better?
Just because you're going clean doesn't mean you're going to be all about that natural ingredients life. Many ingredients used in clean beauty are actually made in a lab but are perfectly safe to use. Also, since they're scientific research-backed, many people would argue that here's where clean beauty actually trumps natural beauty, since, with natural beauty, a lot of brands may play fast and loose with the ingredients which may react poorly with your skin. On the other hand, since clean beauty is science-backed skincare, it will work for all skin types out there.
Toxin alert
While both clean beauty and natural beauty products may stay as far away from parabens, sulphates and synthetic fragrances, there's a secret toxin that natural beauty products contain, which clean beauty products don't. The culprit? Essential oils. Since they're sometimes impure and impart some form of fragrance, essential oils generally tend to cause more harm than good in skincare products. If you're a natural beauty fiend, check up on your products for these!
Price point
The one drawback to choosing clean beauty, many seem to think, is that it's generally perceived as more expensive than natural beauty products. Well, the good news for you is — if you've been intimidated by the prospect of trying clean beauty, we've got just the budget-friendly option for you. Simple Skincare is a fantastic clean beauty brand that does exactly what it says and works well for all skin types. The stellar clean beauty brand's products have no parabens, artificial fragrances, colours, or dyes. What are you waiting for? Make the switch to clean beauty RN!
Written by Nishtha Bhalla on Aug 29, 2021
Nishtha is a freelance writer who loves all things beauty, fashion, culture, and lifestyle. With content covering a variety of topics, she brings a holistic, nuanced perspective to her writing. In her free time, she can be found watching reruns of The Office, reading anything she can get her hands on, and experimenting with astrology.