Is Rare Beauty Clean?
Clean beauty products have been gaining popularity in recent years as people begin to understand the importance of the ingredients they put on their bodies. Shopping for clean beauty products can be tough, though, as many brands use the “clean” label as a marketing tactic rather than a true commitment to safe ingredients. One brand, Rare Beauty, claims to be fully committed to using only clean ingredients. In this article, we’ll explore whether or not Rare Beauty’s products truly meet that standard.
The Need for Clean Beauty Products
Before diving into an analysis of Rare Beauty, it’s important to understand why clean beauty products are necessary. The beauty industry is largely unregulated, meaning brands can use any number of potentially harmful ingredients in their products without legal repercussions. Many people are unaware of the possible health effects of these ingredients, which can include hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and even cancer.
Furthermore, the production of traditional beauty products can take an environmental toll. From animal testing to unsustainable sourcing methods, beauty brands have often prioritized profits over ethics. Clean beauty products, on the other hand, prioritize natural, organic, and non-toxic ingredients, as well as environmentally friendly packaging and production methods.
Overview of Rare Beauty
Rare Beauty is a new beauty brand founded by singer and actress Selena Gomez. The brand’s mission is to “reduce the stigma associated with mental health” and inspire people to embrace their individuality. Rare Beauty products have gained attention for their sleek packaging and inclusive shade ranges.
What sets Rare Beauty apart from other beauty brands, however, is its commitment to clean ingredients. The brand proudly labels its products as “clean” and claims to avoid over 1,500 potentially harmful ingredients.
Analyzing the Ingredients List of Rare Beauty Products
To determine whether Rare Beauty products are truly clean, let’s take a detailed look at the ingredients list of a few different products:
Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
- Water
- Dimethicone
- Methyl Trimethicone
- Isododecane
- Butylene Glycol
- PEG-10 Dimethicone
- Titanium Dioxide
- Titanium Dioxide [nano] (nano particle size)
- Disteardimonium Hectorite
- Bis-PEG-15 Dimethicone / IPDI Copolymer
- Sodium Chloride
- Phenoxyethanol
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
- Potassium Sorbate
- Trimethylsiloxysilicate
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate)
- Sorbic Acid
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C Derivative)
- Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
There are a few ingredients in this list that may raise a red flag for some clean beauty advocates. For example, dimethicone is a silicone that can clog pores and damage the environment. However, it’s worth noting that not all silicones are harmful, and this particular ingredient is considered safe in small doses. Titanium dioxide, on the other hand, may pose some health risks when inhaled in its nano particle size. It’s questionable whether or not the amount used in this foundation would be harmful to consumers.
Overall, the Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation’s ingredients list appears to be relatively clean. Rare Beauty’s commitment to avoiding harmful ingredients seems to align with the product’s contents.
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
- Water
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Methyl Trimethicone
- Butylene Glycol
- Dimethicone
- PEG-10 Dimethicone
- Disteardimonium Hectorite
- HDI / Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
- Sodium Chloride
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Phenoxyethanol
- Propylene Carbonate
- Hexylene Glycol
- Dimethicone / Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
- Distearmonium Hectorite
- Dimethiconol
- Tocopherol
- Biosaccharide Gum-1
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- May Contain:
- Mica
- Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
- Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
- Red 28 Lake (CI 45410)
- Red 30 Lake (CI 73360)
- Red 40 Lake (CI 16035)
- Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)
- Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985)
- Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090)
The Soft Pinch Liquid Blush’s ingredient list also appears relatively clean. Some non-toxic ingredients like biosaccharide gum-1 and hyaluronic acid are added for moisturizing benefits.
Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
- Water
- Butylene Glycol
- Acrylates / Ethylhexyl Acrylate / HEMA Copolymer
- Glycerin
- Pentylene Glycol
- Sodium Polyaspartate
- Beheneth-30
- Phenoxyethanol
- Citric Acid
- Disodium EDTA
- Sodium Dehydroacetate
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Black 2 (CI 77266).
The Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner’s ingredient list is short and sweet. No harmful ingredients are present, making it a clean option for eyeliner enthusiasts.
Interview with Selena Gomez
In an interview with Vogue, Selena Gomez discussed her commitment to clean beauty and how Rare Beauty aligns with that vision. Gomez says she was inspired to create Rare Beauty after experiencing the negative effects of traditional beauty products herself:
“When I came up with the brand, I wanted to make sure that it was inclusive, that people felt like they didn’t need to have a certain amount of money to feel beautiful. But on top of that, I wanted the product to be clean. I wanted it to be vegan and cruelty-free.”
Gomez emphasizes Rare Beauty’s commitment to avoiding harmful ingredients, saying, “There are things that I never could have imagined being inside a product that I were passionate about making or that I thought would be safe for myself or the environment.”
To ensure Rare Beauty products meet the brand’s high standards, Gomez says the company works with a clean chemist. She notes that it can be challenging to create high-performance products with clean ingredients, but that Rare Beauty is committed to that challenge. Looking forward, Gomez hopes to continue pushing the industry towards safer, more ethical beauty practices.
Comparison with Other Clean Beauty Brands
How does Rare Beauty’s commitment to clean ingredients compare to other popular clean beauty brands? For comparison, let’s take a look at the ingredients list for a few of Glossier’s most popular products:
Boy Brow
- Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
- Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
- Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax
- Silica
- Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax
- Butylparaben
- BHT
Compared to Rare Beauty, Glossier’s products are not technically “clean” as they still contain some potentially harmful ingredients like parabens. However, many people still consider Glossier to be a safe, ethical brand thanks to its commitments to sustainable and cruelty-free practices. It’s important to note that the definition of “clean beauty” can vary among consumers and beauty brands.
Understanding Clean Beauty
For those new to the concept of clean beauty, let’s break down what it means. Clean beauty refers to products that prioritize using natural, organic, and non-toxic ingredients while avoiding harmful ones. These harmful ingredients can include parabens, phthalates, formaldehydes, synthetic fragrances, and more. Clean beauty brands are also typically committed to environmentally friendly production and packaging methods, as well as ethical ingredient sourcing.
Clean beauty has gained momentum as more people become aware of the potential health hazards and environmental impacts of traditional beauty products. It’s important to note, however, that not all clean beauty brands are created equal. Consumers should check brand claims and ingredient lists carefully to ensure they are getting truly safe and ethical products.
Review of Rare Beauty Products
As one of the newest clean beauty brands on the market, Rare Beauty has already gained a devoted following. But how do the products stack up from a clean beauty perspective?
As we analyzed earlier, most of Rare Beauty’s products appear to be clean, with some exceptions. From personal experience, I have found Rare Beauty’s products to be generally effective and satisfying to use. The Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation has quickly become one of my go-to products for everyday wear.
However, it’s worth noting that the “clean” status of a product doesn’t necessarily translate to better efficacy. Some customers may value the safety of natural ingredients over product performance, but others may prioritize the latter. It’s up to each individual to determine their personal preferences.
Conclusion
Rare Beauty’s commitment to clean ingredients sets it apart from many other beauty brands on the market. Through our analysis, we can see that most of Rare Beauty’s products are clean and relatively safe for consumers to use. However, it’s important to remember that the “clean” label can be subjective, and consumers should always check ingredient lists carefully to ensure they are getting truly ethical and safe beauty products.
The popularity of Rare Beauty and other clean beauty brands is a positive sign of a growing movement towards more sustainable, responsible beauty practices. As consumers become more informed about the potential harms of traditional beauty products, it’s likely that the demand for clean, ethical options will continue to rise. With Rare Beauty’s commitment to that mission, it will surely be a major player in the future of the industry.
