A Guide to Informed Skincare: The Meaning of Clean, Natural, Organic, Vegan, and Cruelty-Free

Abstract

The number of cosmetic and personal care products marketed as clean, natural, organic, vegan, and cruelty-free continues to expand, raising questions from patients about the meaning of these product labels. Dermatology providers should be aware of the validity of the marketing terms and educate patients on the safety of personal care product ingredients. Herein, we explore the meaning of clean, natural, organic, vegan, and cruelty-free and address the safety of commonly banned ingredients in the informed skincare market.