What Does “Clean Beauty” Actually Mean?
Lately in the salon, I’ve been having the same conversation over and over again.
“What does clean beauty really mean?”
“Are salon products actually safe?”
“Does it matter if brands are owned by big corporations?”
And the honest answer?
It’s complicated. There isn’t a regulated definition of “clean beauty” in the United States. It’s mostly a marketing term. One brand’s version of clean might look completely different from another’s. So instead of asking what the industry says clean beauty is, I started asking myself what I believe it should mean. For me, clean beauty isn’t about being “chemical free.” Everything is a chemical, even water. And the truth is, chemistry is what makes our hair color lift, our treatments repair, and our styling products actually work. Performance matters.
But so does intention.
Clean beauty, to me, means being thoughtful about ingredients. It means looking at formulations that aim to avoid ingredients commonly linked to hormone disruption or long-term health concerns. It means transparency. It means choosing products that feel aligned with both my values and my clients’ wellbeing.
Something else that’s been on my mind lately? Ownership.
When you start digging, you realize many of the brands we love are owned by massive parent companies. That doesn’t automatically make them bad. But it does make me pause and ask: Where are ingredients sourced? How transparent is the supply chain? Where is my money going?
That’s when I started thinking more about buying local. Should local production be part of the clean beauty conversation? I think yes with discernment.
Local doesn’t automatically mean cleaner. But it can mean smaller production runs, more transparency, and supporting regional businesses instead of global conglomerates. That matters to me. Recently, I’ve been slowly testing and introducing products from Loma, a brand manufactured right here in Washington. I didn’t switch everything overnight. I’m intentionally integrating what truly performs and so far, I’ve been impressed.
Because here’s the thing:
If a product is “clean” but doesn’t work, it doesn’t serve you. My goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. As I continue learning, researching, and testing, I’ll keep sharing what I discover. Clean beauty isn’t a final destination it’s an evolving conversation. And if you’ve been curious about what’s actually in your haircare, you’re not alone. We’re figuring it out together. 🫶🩷