So let's celebrate! Let's underscore the importance of what we put on our skin and hair. And of course, let's remember to steer clear of products that are loaded with chemicals. Let’s prioritize pure ingredients made from beauty brands with proven sustainability practices—ideally Certified B Corps.

But what does “clean beauty” really mean? And how can we make sure we’re actually prioritizing clean beauty, and not just getting caught up in well-intentioned greenwashing? This post will provide a deep-dive on exactly that.

What Is Clean Beauty?

As Chief Sustainability Officer at Sky Organics, I know firsthand why National Clean Beauty Day matters. Though the inaugural celebration took place in 2020, the concept of clean beauty has been around for decades.

The idea behind clean beauty is transparency and good health—both personally and environmentally. Brands like Sky Organics have set out to create safe, pure, sustainably-packaged personal care items. We prioritize ethical sourcing and our customers’ health in the name of what we do.

The ingredients we use are Certified Organic whenever possible, and each one has a unique purpose. Not only that, but our recipes are simple, with the ingredients included at a functional level to deliver the beauty benefits we promise. You'll never see parabens, sulfates, or phtalates on our labels. Beyond that, all of products are backed by a longstanding commitment to our workers, customers, and the environment.

In my opinion, the fact that we've been recognized for our efforts proves we must be doing something right. Our goal is to only make claims that we can back up. Yet generally speaking, the term “clean beauty” is still unregulated in our industry. In many cases, it’s a sign of greenwashing.

How Can We Prevent Greenwashing?

Many companies, either intentionally or unintentionally, commit greenwashing. They may disclose that their products are “environmentally-friendly,” “natural,” or “healthy” without any evidence behind these claims. Or they may do what is commonly known as “fairy dusting” their ingredients. This involves the use of natural or organic botanicals at less than 0.01% of the formula, and then boldly making claims about those ingredients on their labels.

It makes sense, in this way, that greenwashing damages consumer trust. It makes people skeptical about their favorite brands’ sustainability practices. Greenwashing is ultimately a misleading marketing practice that goes against what National Clean Beauty Day is all about.

So on July 15, we encourage you to take a closer look at your favorite beauty brands. Plan to audit these personal care companies for the following:

• Certification programs that assess the company's sustainability performance

• Detailed product and packaging standards and full ingredient transparency

• Quantifiable environmental impacts and sustainability initiatives

The truth is that when a product is certified to a natural standard, it eliminates the possibility of greenwashing. in these cases, independant third parties come in to verify the status of the brand or product—so companies can’t make false claims about their so-called “good” practices. Even if they tried to greenwash their loyal consumers, the certification body would call their bluff.

Celebrate National Clean Beauty Day with Sky Organics

On National Clean Beauty Day this year, I challenge you to make changes to your beauty routine. I want you to confirm your skin and haircare products are free from toxins, and that every ingredient is safe for human health and the environment.

Here are just some of the ways you can join the cause:

1. Prioritize ingredients with a purpose.

Sky Organics is committed to using pure and potent ingredients. We only source ingredients with a clear purpose, and we describe the benefits of every ingredient in detail on our labels and website. You too can prioritize functional beauty when choosing new products.

2. Opt for cruelty-free.

At Sky Organics, we see the value in all living things. Many companies pledge not to test their products on animals yet have no accountability. We are Certified Cruelty-Free throught the international Leaping Bunny Program. This certification requires an audit of our practices and the practices of our suppliers to confirm our products and ingredients are not tested on animals. Our cruelty-free claims are verified.

3. Choose certifiability-better beauty.

We pursue USDA Organic Certification whenever we can. Some of our products are also certified to the NSF/ANSI 305 Personal Care Standard and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). No matter the circumstances, we use pure ingredients sourced from nature.

4. Join the Certified Organic cause.

Our commitment to organic ingredients is longstanding. Prioritizing Certified Organic means we don't need a long "free from" list on our labels. Il also means that our ingredients have their natural integrity and potency, and that they-re processed without chemicals or pesticides. This is truly better for everyone.

With that, I'd like to thank you for celebrating with us this National Clean Beauty Day. Whether you start choosing brands more carefully-based on proven, certifiable metrics-or paying closer attention to misleading product labels, every change can make a difference.

Browse Our Self-Care Essentials

Our family-founded company is on a mission to share Certified Organic beauty care with all of humankind. Learn more about what we’re doing at skyorganics.com or on Instagram at @skyorganics.us.