Clean Beauty: Why I Don’t Use the Term—And Why That’s a Good Thing

Is the Grinch good or bad? Well… we don’t really know—because he’s not real. That’s exactly how I feel when someone asks if my products are “clean,” “non-toxic,” or “natural.” These words sound comforting, but the truth is: they don’t actually mean anything.

These terms aren’t defined by the FDA or any regulatory body. They’re simply marketing buzzwords, often used to make products seem safer or better than others—without offering any real proof or results.

The Clean Beauty Myth

Over the years, I’ve spoken out on social media, in client sessions, and through my e-books about the misleading nature of the clean beauty movement. Despite this, it still has a strong grip on the industry—and on consumers.

The truth? Every skincare product sold legally must meet the same safety standards. Whether a product calls itself “clean” or not has zero bearing on whether it’s safe, effective, or beneficial for your skin.

In fact, many of these fear-based claims were popularized by multi-level marketing (MLM) companies—businesses that thrive on misinformation and emotional selling tactics.

Science Over Scare Tactics

At Skin By Molly M., I choose not to label my products “clean,” “organic,” “natural,” or “non-toxic.” That’s not because they aren’t safe—it’s because these terms are meaningless without scientific context, and I refuse to use fear to sell skincare.

All of my products are:

- **Formulated by licensed cosmetic chemists**

- **Lab-tested for safety, stability, and efficacy**

- **Free from marketing fluff and gimmicks**

I could slap a “non-toxic” label on my bottles tomorrow—anyone could. But I don’t, because that would be dishonest. My products don’t need fear to stand out—they deliver results.

What About Ingredient Safety?

If you’ve ever used an app that ranks ingredients based on “toxicity,” you may be familiar with the panic that can follow. But here’s the truth: those apps lack context.

The dose makes the poison.

A minuscule, safe amount of an ingredient in a cosmetic product is not the same as eating it, bathing in it, or heating it to extreme temperatures and inhaling it. It’s a totally different situation—and that nuance matters.

Take parabens, for example. You've probably heard they disrupt hormones, right? In reality, there’s no evidence directly linking parabens to hormone imbalances. There’s actually more scientific support for their safety than for many of the “clean” alternatives we know much less about.

And sunscreen? Nope—it’s not toxic. Again, context is key.

Why I Trust Science—And You Should Too

So where do I get all this info? I’ve been a longtime supporter of *The Eco Well*—a science-based podcast and platform run by an independent cosmetic formulator (and literal genius). She doesn’t work for any brand and has no agenda other than spreading truthful, evidence-based information about skincare.

Much of the content in this post comes from what I’ve learned through her platform. If you’re ready to cut through the noise and finally understand what’s really in your products, I highly recommend checking her out.

🎧 [Listen to The Eco Well Podcast](https://theecowell.com/podcast)

Final Thoughts: What Really Matters

Instead of asking if a product is “clean,” a better question is:

**Is it safe, effective, and right for your skin?**

At Skin By Molly M., I focus on:

✅ Proven ingredients

✅ Acne-safe formulations

✅ Barrier support

✅ Results you can actually see

I don’t need buzzwords—I’ve got science and integrity.