The beauty industry is not immune to fads, and you've probably seen a lot of buzz around a current trend referred to as "clean skincare." You might wonder if this is a passing trend that holds no scientific advantages or if it's something important you should pay attention to. In fact, there is a lot of confusion around clean skincare, so here's everything you need to know. 

What Is Clean Skincare?

There isn't one definition for the term "clean skincare," but you can grasp the basics fairly quickly. Clean skincare is most often used to refer to products that don't contain known irritants and harsh chemical substances. For example, a highly effective lip repair product with no phthalates or parabens is a cleaner option than a similar product with synthetic fragrance and parabens. The list of chemicals that clean skincare avoids includes: 

• Parabens 

• Dyes 

• Phthalates 

• Sulfates 

• Formaldehydes

• Mineral oil

You may know someone who takes clean skincare to the extreme by trying to avoid all chemicals except for naturally-derived ingredients. But this approach isn't supported by dermatologists. 

Ultimately, you can decide what clean skincare means to you by researching the brands and products you love to see if the companies align with your values and if the ingredients are safe and gentle on your skin. 

What Are the Benefits of Clean Skincare?

Cleaning up your skincare routine can have a lot of benefits. First, if you stop using harsh soaps on your face and body, you might notice that some of your dryness goes away. The other benefits may be harder to spot in the short term, but avoiding parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde may keep your skin looking younger and healthier over time. 

Another benefit to clean skincare may be the fact that you can reduce irritating ingredients. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin, eczema, allergies, or skin prone to breakouts. Heavy synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals can affect your skin's ability to heal and reach equilibrium. In that case, you may want to look for products that don't contain fragrance either.

What Are the Disadvantages of Clean Skincare?

Clean skincare doesn't have many disadvantages, but there are some things you should watch out for. Just because a product is marketed as "clean" doesn't mean that it's right for your skin. You still need to read and understand what's in the ingredient list and be able to discern safe skincare from bad DIY recipes and poorly formulated products. For example, lemon is great in your tea but very irritating in a natural face mask. 

Be wary of the presence of essential oils in natural and clean skincare products as well. When essential oils are not diluted enough, they can be very irritating to your skin. Over time, some essential oils can also sensitive your skin, causing frequent redness, rashes, and breakouts. 

Tips for Designing a Clean Skincare Routine

You should tailor your skincare routine to your skin type and concerns. You might also switch up your products according to the seasons, with more lightweight products in the summer and moisturizing products in the fall and winter. Whatever your needs, here are some tips to help you design a clean skincare routine: 

• Stick to a gentle cleansing routine without harsh sulfates 

• Pick a moisturizer with less fragrance or none at all

• Use mineral sunscreen to help protect reefs

• Support companies that focus on sustainability

• Understand key skincare ingredients and read product labels

While clean skin care is often misunderstood and its benefits over exaggerated, it's worthwhile to assess your current skincare routine to see what's working and what isn't. You can easily pick alternative products that have less irritating ingredients or find a clean skincare brand that has effective, safe products.