Clean Beauty, Made Simple: How to Spot Toxic Ingredients + Choose Cleaner Options
- Katie Bateman
- Apr 11
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
If you’ve ever found yourself in the skincare aisle, flipping over a bottle to read the label only to be bombarded with a wall of confusing ingredients—trust me, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, wondering what all those long, scientific-sounding words actually mean, and whether I should be putting them anywhere near my face (or body for that matter).
In today’s world, where we’re becoming more conscious of what we eat, how we move, and even how we think—it makes perfect sense to start questioning what we’re putting on our skin. After all, our skin is our largest organ, and it absorbs much of what we slather on it. There’s no question that what we put on our skin affects our health and wellbeing.
So let’s dive into how to choose clean skincare and beauty products with confidence. I’m going to walk you through some of the top toxic ingredients to avoid, which types of products are usually the sneakiest when it comes to hidden nasties, and how the Environmental Working Group (EWG) can be your BFF in this clean beauty journey. I’ll also share some of my absolute fave Clean Beauty brands.
Why Clean Beauty Matters
"Clean" isn’t just a trendy buzzword. It’s about products made without ingredients that are known or suspected to harm your health. Clean beauty is all about transparency, non-toxicity, and choosing products that are safe for you and the planet.
It doesn’t mean everything has to be 100% natural (although that’s fab if that’s your jam). It means making informed choices, reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, and opting for brands that care about your health as much as you do.
Top Ingredients to Avoid (a.k.a. The Naughty List)
Making the switch to clean beauty doesn’t have to mean tossing everything you own overnight or becoming a full-blown label-reading detective (although, let’s be honest, it can be a little fun once you get the hang of it!). Think of it as a gradual glow-up—one informed choice at a time. To help you feel empowered, not intimidated, I’ve pulled together a list of the most common ingredients to look out for. Once you know what to avoid, shopping for skincare becomes way less overwhelming and a whole lot more intentional.
Here are some common ingredients to steer clear of when shopping for skincare and beauty products:
1. Parabens (like methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben)
Used as preservatives, parabens can mimic estrogen in the body and disrupt hormone function. They’ve been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.
2. Phthalates (often hidden under "fragrance")
These sneaky little chemicals make scents last longer but come with hormone-disrupting baggage. Avoid anything with "fragrance" unless it specifically says it’s phthalate-free or naturally derived.
3. Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde Releasers (like DMDM Hydantoin)
Yikes. This stuff is a known carcinogen. It’s used in some nail products, hair smoothing treatments, and even shampoos as a preservative.
4. Mercury
Found in some skin-lightening creams and mascara—yes, really. Mercury can cause kidney and nervous system damage. Hard pass. Click here to discover my fave Clean Mascara.
5. Toluene
Common in nail polish and hair dyes. It’s linked to respiratory issues and can cause headaches or even nervous system damage.
6. Ethanolamines (DEA, MEA, TEA)
Used to make products creamy or foamy, but they’re potential carcinogens and can cause allergic reactions.
7. Oxybenzone and Octinoxate
Often found in chemical sunscreens, these have been shown to mess with hormones and contribute to coral reef damage (double no-no).
8. Lead (in some lipsticks and hair dyes)
Lead is a neurotoxin and should not be anywhere near your mouth, hairline, or makeup bag.
The Usual Suspects: Product Types to Watch Closely
Some beauty products are more likely to hide questionable ingredients than others—so it helps to know where to pay extra attention. Here’s a quick list of the usual suspects to watch out for:
Nail Polish & Nail Treatments
Formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate are common offenders here. Thankfully, many brands are now labelling themselves as "3-free" or "7-free"—meaning they’ve ditched the nastiest stuff. Click Here to Discover my favourite Clean Nail polish
Sienna Byron Bay - "When it comes to our formula, Sienna is not only vegan, cruelty free, non-toxic, and benzo-free, but we are now the first glitter free and nano-particle free nail polish in the world. Even more exciting, our new plant based formula includes ingredients with little to no waste by-product. We’re talking about raw ingredients including sugar cane, manioc (cassava), cotton and corn."
2. Hair Dyes and Straightening Treatments
Many contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, resorcinol, and formaldehyde. Look for gentler, ammonia-free options and always patch test. I haven't yet found a hair die or straightening product that is clean. if you know of one please, email me!
3. Skin-Lightening Products
These can contain mercury and hydroquinone. Please avoid unless prescribed by a health professional and fully understood. Click Here to Discover my favourite Clean Skincare
"If you want to turn back the clock with your skin’s appearance, it helps to have clean, pure, and cruelty-free anti-aging products. Our anti-aging collection is designed to target skin at the cellular level, supporting supple skin and a healthy youthful glow. If you’re looking for clean beauty products, there’s no one who does clean beauty better than we do." - Shaklee
4. Fragranced Products (everything from lotion to deodorant)
The term “fragrance” can legally hide hundreds of chemical compounds. Opt for unscented or products that list all fragrance components. Click here to Discover my Favourite Clean Fragrance
"We believe that smelling good is feeling amazing, that everyone deserves the best skin of their life everyday, and that being beautiful shouldn't harm your health, animals or the planet. We don't use any toxic chemicals, no endocrine disrupting ingredients and no harmful synthetics. All ingredients are ethically-sourced, vegan and cruelty-free with no animal products." - Recreation beauty
5. Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens may contain hormone-disrupting chemicals. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are generally safer choices. Click here to discover my Favourite Low-tox sunscreen
"Age Defense Mineral Moisturiser provides everyday protection from the elements while helping to hydrate your skin for a smoother appearance, with the added benefit of mineral-based, chemical-free SPF 15 sunscreen as well as vitamins and nourishing oils." - Shaklee
Enter: The EWG (Environmental Working Group)
This is where your clean beauty journey gets easier. The EWG is a non-profit that helps you understand what’s in your products through their amazing Skin Deep® Database. You can look up products or ingredients and see how they’re rated based on safety, toxicity, and transparency.
Even better? Products that meet their strict standards earn the EWG Verified mark—basically the gold star of clean beauty. If you see this, it means the product avoids harmful ingredients, is fully transparent about what’s inside, and follows good manufacturing practices.
I seriously recommend bookmarking their site. It’s a game-changer. Click here to check it out.
A little Shoutout to Shaklee
You know I only recommend what I truly love and use myself, and Shaklee’s YOUTH® Skincare line is a standout when it comes to clean beauty. It’s free from over 2,500 harmful chemicals and questionable ingredients (yep, you read that right).
Plus, they’re scientifically proven and designed to actually work—hello, radiant skin—without compromising your health or the planet!
Want to join a group of women thriving together with daily lifestyle, wellness and self-care?
Join the Wellness Glow-Up Facebook community. Your daily Self-care pit stop to Elevate your Holistic Wellness journey. Find inner peace and everything you need to Glow from the Inside Out. This is Your personal sanctuary for nourishing Body, Mind, and Soul.
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