Did you know 'dermatologist tested' doesn't really mean it was given a green signal — it was just tested? Consumers today are fully aware of what they put on their bodies, and purchases are led with a moral compass for social, economic, and environmental impact. Here are the most commonly found labels on beauty products and what they actually mean.
Organic: Made from naturally derived ingredients grown without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers and dyes. Reliable certifications: Ecocert, USDA Organic, India Organic.
Natural: Made of ingredients derived from natural sources up to 70%. Natural Products Association certification is dependable for biodegradable ingredient standards.
Biodegradable: Product and packaging made of ingredients that can be broken down and decomposed. Great for the environment, though not an indication that manufacturing was equally eco-friendly.
Cruelty-Free: The Leaping Bunny by PETA certifies that no animal testing occurred and no animal-derived ingredient was used.
Vegan: Certifications like Vegan UK, Vegan USA, and India's own vegan symbol guarantee no animal product was used in making or processing.
Clean Beauty (Paraben, Sulphate, Petrochemical-free): Parabens mimic estrogen and can cause hormonal imbalances. Sulphates are aggressive detergents. Petrochemicals in moisturisers cannot be broken down by the body. Watch out for Triclosan, Talc, and Silica too.
Fragrance-Free vs Unscented: Fragrance-free eliminates scent ingredients entirely. Unscented products use chemicals to mask smell — better for sensitive noses but not always better for skin.
Beyond the Label: Two Things Worth Checking
Packaging: A clean formula in a single-use plastic tube undoes much of the good. Look for recyclable, refillable, or powder-based products that need no preservative-heavy packaging at all.
Ingredient order: Ingredients are listed by quantity, so a much-advertised botanical sitting last on the list is present in trace amounts. Read the first five names, not the front of the bottle.
Clean, Vegan Picks on EarthBased
Finding non-toxic, organic, vegan, sustainable products for your beauty routine is now possible through EarthBased. A few places to start:
- Sandalwood Powder — a single-ingredient mask and gentle exfoliant, no preservatives or synthetic additives
- Sandalwood Powder & Multani Mitti combo — deep-cleansing and oil-absorbing, in powder form with no plastic bottle
- Tea Tree, Mint & Aloe Body Wash — sulphate-free and biodegradable, so it cleanses without stripping skin
- Pink Sunset Lip and Cheek Tint — a plant-based, cruelty-free alternative to conventional lipstick and blush
Browse the full clean skin and hair care range for more.
Shop the products in this guide
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Sandalwood Powder | Soil Origin (Pack of 2) — Soil Origin, ₹520 -
Kheoni Forest Body Wash – Plant-Based, Vegan — Kheoni, ₹959 -
Plum Sunset Lip and Cheek Tint – Creamy Multipurpose Tint | Mimaco — Mimaco, ₹475 -
Green French Clay & Tea Tree Body Soap With Shea Butter - 100 Gm | Pack of 2 — Soil Origin, ₹300 -
Shea Olive | For Dry Skin | Pack of 2 — Lilo Naturals, ₹560