For consumers, it’s common to want to look at labels carefully before buying a product, especially when it comes to health. In fact, many people will shy away from buying highly toxic products and make a point of bringing up health concerns. But have you ever wondered exactly what “clean” means when applied to products?
Cleanliness is a priority, not only in terms of hygiene but also with regard to cleanliness in the products we use. There are several terms used in the industry today to describe a product’s cleanliness, including “clean label,” “natural,” and “organic,” which all share the common goal of using fewer ingredients. Yet, what is a clean product? We decided to dive deeper and break down some of the common definitions.
Did you just see a new product in the store and wonder if it’s safe? Have your friends or family members told you not to use it or that it’s “dirty”? These are just some common questions consumers have about cleaning, personal care, and food products. What is a “clean” product? Does it mean that the product is 100% natural, or does it only mean that the products are free of any of the following: petroleum-based dyes, toxic pesticides, and other harmful chemicals?
Clean products have been all the rage recently, and we’ve all come to expect them to be free of harmful chemicals, toxins, and toxins that are bad for our health. But what does it mean for a personal care product to be “clean”? Unfortunately, the word “clean” has become somewhat of an ambiguous marketing term, so it’s important to know exactly what it really means.
Most people are well aware that there are tons of potentially harmful chemicals in everyday products—from toothpaste to hair spray to baby shampoo. But we don’t always realize how much toxic crap is in a product until we start reading the ingredients. To name just a few ingredients are parabens, phthalates, and triclosan. So, just what is a clean product?
Have you ever considered when you purchase a product whether or not it is a clean product? Such a product is one free of toxins and chemicals, at least in the manufacturing process. But what about the ingredients? Many of the ingredients found in these products are toxic.
“Clean,” like “healthy,” is a catchall term for products that adhere to certain guidelines. These guidelines come from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which requires manufacturers to use renewable and sustainable resources, use ingredients from non-controversial sources, and waste less during manufacturing. A clean product can still be harmful to your health, but it is usually a safer choice than a product that does not meet EPA standards.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a term for all products that are marketed as being “all-natural,” “natural,” or “organic.” Those terms are unregulated, and, therefore, companies can use those terms in any way they want. So, if a product is “all-natural,” that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “clean.” A clean product is one that has been formulated without toxic ingredients, such as parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, aluminum, propylene, or ethylene glycol.
A Clean Product is a product made without hazardous chemicals, including the most common allergens. These products include baby products, furniture, electronics, cosmetics, food products, toys, as well as household goods. For the average person, it is anything that does not contain any of the following ingredients: BPA, lead, phthalates, toluene, chemical flame retardants, or formaldehyde.
A clean product, also known as a green product, is a manufactured product that is environmentally friendly, recyclable, and non-hazardous. It’s a product made from organic or sustainable materials, such as recycled materials, natural fibers, or biodegradable options. There are a number of factors that go into creating it, including the materials used to package the product, the materials used in the packaging, the manufacturing process, and the end-use of the product.
Clean products have been proven to make more informed decisions on health and wellness. All products aren’t made equally, though. A wide range of ingredients are included throughout personal care products—from colorants to preservatives—that may cause major health concerns. The Clean Product Guide (CP Guide) was created to help consumers identify and navigate cleaner personal care options, and it’s based on a set of nine criteria.