Is "Clean Makeup" the New "Natural Makeup"?

The market for “clean makeup” is becoming more accessible. It’s a surreal sight for those who, just a few years ago, struggled to find makeup that was vegan or cruelty-free.

It’s exciting to see a growing demand for clean makeup but for some, clean makeup is… confusing. One might wonder: is clean makeup the same as “natural” makeup? Is clean makeup the new “natural makeup?”

The current assumption is that “clean” makeup has replaced “natural” makeup as the best option in ethical beauty. But don’t be so quick to jump on the ‘clean’ bandwagon – it’s not accurate to say “clean” is the new “natural”, especially when natural ingredients are still so relevant!

In this article, we’re talking about the difference between “clean makeup” and “natural makeup”, how they intersect, and where we stand on the matter here at 100% PURE.

Let’s talk about clean makeup.

Before we dive in, it’s important to make something clear here: while the term “clean” is becoming more widely used by beauty and wellness brands, there is no universal definition behind it, and no certifying standard for the term. And because there’s no regulated standard, any brand can technically claim to be “clean”.

However, there are brands who genuinely care about setting a standard. So what does “clean” mean to them?

Each brand might have different specifications, but generally speaking, “clean” makeup is created with a consideration for our bodies and the environment. This means that the brand uses transparent, cruelty-free practices, and there’s a strong emphasis on ingredients and their sourcing.

Typically, these ingredients are either sustainably sourced from the earth, or expertly synthesized in a lab (more on this later).

Clean makeup brands will also make strides to avoid any potentially harmful ingredients, like the following:

• parabens

• pesticides

• phthalates

• potential hormone disruptors (i.e.,triclosan)

• allergens (i.e., hydroquinone)

• environmental toxins (i.e., chemical sunscreens)

• potential carcinogens (i.e., formaldehyde)

As brands have evolved under the nuances of “clean” makeup, the clean beauty movement has become a way for brands to explore and innovate, creating new formulas with safe, non-toxic synthetic ingredients.

So, if clean makeup is all about safe, responsible ingredients, does that make “clean makeup” and “natural makeup” the same?

Not quite. While these two terms are often associated with each other, there are some key differences. So what does “natural” mean?

Just as with “clean” makeup, there is no standardized definition for “natural makeup”.

However, it’s generally accepted that natural makeup uses ingredients that are sourced directly from nature, like coconut oil or aloe vera. And while “natural” was once the big buzzword alongside “green” and “eco-friendly”, it’s become less frequently used. There are a few reasons why.

The big one is that pretty much any product can be loosely marketed as “natural”. For instance, most products contain, to some degree, water – which is technically a natural ingredient. On top of that, stressing the importance of “natural” makeup implies that synthetic ingredients are inherently bad, and this isn’t necessarily true!

To be clear, synthetic ingredients are man-made, and not directly taken from nature. They may be taken from a petrochemical such as an oil or gas, or they can be derived from a natural feedstock, such as a plant or mineral.

While of course many dangerous ingredients (like parabens) are synthetic, there are dangerous natural ingredients, too!

For instance, poison ivy or deadly nightshade are natural and from the earth, but that doesn’t mean they should be in our makeup. Likewise, there are synthetic ingredients that are not only safe for humans, but can even make a better alternative to “natural” sources.

And let’s be clear: “natural” can mean animal-derived, and these animals may be harmed or killed. For instance, squalene has been a popular ingredient in makeup for many years. With a consistency that’s similar to sebum, squalene is known to blend seamlessly into the skin without caking or melting off.

However, squalene is taken from sharks, who are poached for their liver to harvest this ingredient. This type of poaching has led to a number of issues in shark populations, which can affect all types of ocean life.

Luckily, scientists now know how to create squalane, which behaves just like squalene, except it’s more stable and it’s derived from olives and rice bran instead. So does this mean that “natural” makeup is actually not so great? Or that we should completely disregard it?

Absolutely not!

There’s a wealth of natural ingredients that can be ethically sourced and do wonders for our skin. And many brands would consider “natural” ingredients to be a cornerstone of clean makeup.

So let’s explore the intersection of “clean” makeup and “natural” makeup.

So what does makeup look like when it’s natural and clean?

When shopping for natural makeup, you’re going to (hopefully) encounter brands that value transparency, and offer an explanation on how their products are manufactured and obtained.

You should also see ingredients that are sustainably sourced from nature; either directly, or through minimal processing and extraction. And when a makeup brand is both clean and natural, these ingredients should be vegan whenever possible.

For example, niacinamide can be found in meat, poultry and fish, but it can also come from vegetables, beans and grains. Plant-based pigments are also a great example, like blackberries and cherries, which offer beautiful coloring without posing a health threat or harming any animals.

As we can see, clean makeup has an emphasis on being gentle on skin. But some ingredients can go above and beyond, with nutrients that can actually help makeup act like skin care. White tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, which help fight signs of aging by neutralizing free radicals. Red raspberry oil can gently soften the skin and reduce inflammation.

In the space where clean makeup is also natural, we’re seeing formulas more beneficial to our skin and the planet than ever before.

At 100% PURE, it’s no secret that we’re obsessed with kind, gentle ingredients from nature. But where do we fall on the spectrum? Are we a natural makeup brand, or a clean makeup brand?

As a brand that was founded in 2004, we were very much born from the “natural” ideal. In fact, we were creating makeup with natural ingredients when that was just becoming the norm!

And in the interest of the planet and our customers, we’ve come to incorporate more “clean” ingredients into our products. This is how we expand on innovations that aren’t quite possible with a fully nature-derived formula, using clean synthetic ingredients to offer safer alternatives to common toxins.

It’s always been our intention to create safe, sustainable makeup. But as our understanding of formulations has evolved, we’ve become more aware of our relationship with the earth and its creatures, and what we can do as a brand to support it.