Top Clean Skincare Myths

The world of clean beauty is surrounded with confusion, inconsistency, and even controversy. Check out Esthetician Stephanie and special guest Amy, Head of goPure’s Product Development,  break down the confusion, and tackle some common clean beauty myths and misconceptions on our Clean Beauty: Fact vs. Fiction live replay.

Myth #1: Natural Ingredients Are Better Than Synthetic

Did you know there are over 45 species of lavender with over 450 varieties? What is best in your garden may not be what is best in your skincare.

The world of “all-natural” ingredients is incredibly varied. Natural isn’t always as effective. It may not deliver meaningful results — and it may not be safer, either. All-natural products may not be stable or able to penetrate the skin well. There are many plants and elements found in nature that are incredibly toxic and highly irritating on the skin. Some natural ingredients can also be common allergens. It is also possible to make synthetic versions of some natural ingredients.

Clean skincare is all about using ingredients that are non-toxic and safe. It is possible to use natural ingredients in skincare and some do offer incredible benefits. In fact, we have some superstar ingredients like Kakadu Plum, Bakuchiol, and Tamarind Seed (just to name a few) in our Power Trio Serum Set and other products. Just remember that sometimes the safest, most effective, and cleanest versions of an ingredient may be synthetic.

Myth #2: Clean Formulas Are Gentler & Less Irritating

There are many common ingredients found in “clean” and “natural” skincare that can be highly irritating. Formulas containing high levels of acids could cause redness or sensitivity on most skin types, let alone sensitive skin. Essential oils, citrus extracts, fragrance oils, and other additives may be hard to tolerate and harsh on the skin.

Here at goPure, we take extra steps to ensure our skincare is dermatologist reviewed and safe with Repeat Insult Patch Testing (RIPT). This type of test determines a product’s likelihood of causing irritation and sensitization to the skin. Not all clean products are gentler, but you can be sure your goPure products are safe and clean.

Myth #3: Natural & Clean is More Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Sustainability in skincare is an ever-changing landscape, with just as many myths and misunderstandings as clean beauty. There has been a lot of controversy in the world of beauty sustainability over brands “greenwashing" and using claims of sustainability and green practices as marketing and nothing more. Sustainability covers things like carbon footprint, packaging and recyclability, ingredient sourcing and harvesting practices, and even native community impact.

Here at goPure, we are committed to always improving our sustainability efforts and reducing our carbon footprint. Our packaging is recyclable, much of it is easily reusable, and we are cruelty-free certified as well.

Myth #4: The U.S. Cosmetics Industry Isn't Regulated

This is a big one. Yes, the U.S. cosmetic regulations can be less strict than other countries. It can be confusing to understand how the FDA does and doesn't “regulate” the skincare industry and ingredients.

This is from the FDA website on Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics:

“It’s against the law for a cosmetic to contain any ingredient that makes the product harmful when consumers use it according to directions on the label, or in the customary or expected way. This is true whether or not there is a regulation that specifically prohibits or restricts the use of the ingredient in cosmetics.”

Additionally the FDA has taken further precautions that went into effect in 2024 with the following excerpt from the FDA website: 

“The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) is the most significant expansion of FDA’s authority to regulate cosmetics since the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act was passed in 1938. This new law will help ensure the safety of cosmetic products many consumers use daily.”

Overall, it is all about what clean beauty is to each brand. The messaging can be confusing, inaccurate, and overwhelming. Here at goPure, we are committed to making the cleanest, most effective skincare products — and an always accessible price point so you can feel confident in your skin and in your products every single day.

Back to blog

13 comments

Can you tell me more about RIPT testing? I love science and am very interested in learning as much as possible. Do you have any articles about it I could read?
———
goPure Beauty replied:
Hello Jennifer, The Repeated-Insult Patch Test (RIPT) is a two-phase process that is designed to evaluate the sensitization potential of a product. Phase 1 is the induction phase, during which the subject’s skin is exposed to the product several times, usually nine to ten times. After completion of Phase 1, subjects are given a two-week “rest period.” In any subject who will become sensitized to the product, the immune system will use this time to create the specialized proteins in the body that would bring about an allergic reaction upon subsequent exposures. In Phase 2, the elicitation phase, the product is reapplied to a new site on the subject’s skin to determine whether the repeat application will elicit an allergic reaction, showing that sensitization has occurred.

Jennifer

Thanks for a straight forward post
on this topic.

Katherine

Thank you for the information very interesting I use jlos skin care products I would love to know if her products are as good and safe as they say. Their r so many products that always claim to get rid of wrinkles, age spots etc. It would be great if they actually worked
I have spent alot of money thru out the yrs on expensive products and they don’t work 🤨

Wayla Glover

Good article, informative, and I will continue to use and feel confident that Go Pure is the best.

Marlene

Thank you for this article. Extremely informative. I’ve learned things that I wasn’t aware of in the past. Well written.

Donna Weeks

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

  • 3 serums in 1 fl oz bottles. A blue bottle for the Dramatically Dewy Serum that contains Triple Hyaluronic Acid Complex and Hibiscus Fruit Extract; a peach-color bottle for the Brighten & Even Serum with Vitamin C, Kakadu Plum, and Ferulic Acid; and a purple bottle for the Firm & Lift Serum with Granactive Retinoid and Bakuchiol.

    Power Trio Serum Set

    $69.00 $48.30
    $109
    Power Trio Serum Set