In the series Eye on Ingredients, I look at the efficacy & safety of a number of ingredients that are being used in our self-care products & cosmetics. In this article, I want to talk about cosmetics that use the term ‘chemical-free’ – what this really means, and what to look for instead.
The beauty industry is all about result-driven products: longer lashes, the “24-hour effect”, or volumized hair. Because of this, an avid awareness around certain chemical ingredients used to achieve such results – those which serve a short-term focus and neglect long-term health – has become our main form of action. Thus, in the natural & organic cosmetic circles, we are inundated with information about toxic, harmful or carcinogenic ingredients that you don’t want to be using.
While this awareness is important (because there are some pretty nasty chemicals that have needed to be removed from personal care products for some time now), it has led to many of us being easily fooled by greenwashing – conditioning us to think that all chemicals, especially synthetics, are bad for us. Savvy advertisers making up catchy phrases to make us believe that we are buying safer products by default.
‘Chemical-free’ has become one of those greenwashing terms advertisers use. The truth is that there is no such thing as cosmetics that are completely chemical-free.
While there are more defined guidelines for natural & organic labeling, saying that something is ‘chemical-free’ holds no meaning; chemical ingredients are used in the manufacturing of all cosmetics – naturally or otherwise. Because the very foundations of chemistry tell us that you, and I, and everything around us – all of it is constituted by chemicals… be it with oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, or any other element on the periodic table. So undeniably, that means that our moisturiser is actually full of chemicals.
I understand the well-intended place the term ‘chemical-free’ stems from – and it’s amazing(y) that more people & brands are on the journey towards cleaner cosmetics and even safer skincare. But it’s important that we don’t just trust brand images or front labels – not without remaining vigilant in our own discerning of the harm that may be caused to ourselves & the environment, specifically from companies whose manufacturing practices prioritize profit over sustainability.
Tags: Conscious Consumer, Cosmetic Safety, Eye on Ingredients, Health, Skin Care
Alana is a qualified naturopath & nutritionist from Australia. After years of studying and first clinical experiences, she moved to Europe where she spent many years as a health editor and writer for Amazingy Magazine. In 2020 Alana started her online Health Practice based out of Berlin. She believes the body has the innate ability to heal itself. The core of her work is teaching individuals the foundations of nutrition for an abundance of energy, smooth digestion and vital health. The stuff she teaches we just weren't taught at school, but it is fundamental for excellent health for everyone. Get in touch with Alana via her website: https://alanabonnemann.com/
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Hi, this is a great article and gives a lot of food for thought ! ! Thanks for sharing it. We are living in a fast-paced life, overwhelmed with information, some of them conflicting, some myths which get redistributed and little time to pause and actually questioning the status quo such as what you did really well in this article to actually pause and raise this question to make people think. Nature in its very essence is build on chemical compounds and properties if we are already looking at the molecular structure of a plant oil. We absolutely agree, that… Read more »
Hi Sarah, Thanks for your comment. It’s great connecting with people out there who are on that same wave length, but also go further to raise awareness and educate (like it looks like you’re doing with Naya!) I felt this article had to be written, because the marketing slogan of “green cosmetics” is becoming more like a joke than authenticity. And I am on board with what you said. It’s more than turning around the label (and putting the responsibilities into the consumers hands) but about company’s and brands and the whole industry as a whole working towards safer products.… Read more »
