By Brooke Armour
The term “clean beauty” lacks a standardized definition, and there is no consensus on the specific substances and chemicals that should be avoided or tolerated. Yet, members of Generation Z mistakenly believe that products labeled as “clean” are indeed clean.
Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Zers currently range in age from 13 to 28. Research shows that Gen Z loves skincare products that are clean, transparent, and sustainable, with many opting for natural, non-toxic ingredients and fragrance-free formulations. They are also frequent shoppers at Sephora, Ulta, and other mass beauty retailers.
Many Sephora shoppers may be drawn to products labeled “Clean at Sephora,” which indicates that the item does not contain phthalates, formaldehyde, oxybenzone, hydroquinone, triclosan, coal tar, or methylisothiazolinone.
Plot twist: These are not the only chemicals and toxins that contribute to blemishes and breakouts. Sephora excludes fragrances and artificial colors, which are identified as potentially harmful ingredients for the skin.
The Saie “Dew Blush Liquid Cheek Blush,” labeled as “Clean at Sephora,” contains “Yellow 6 Lake, Red 7 Lake, and Red 22 Lake,” all of which are artificial colors that may clog pores.
A second product from Sephora that is considered “clean” is the Kosas “Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid.” The concealer contains “Phenethyl Alcohol,” which can be seen as a “friendlier alcohol option.” However, according to the National Library of Medicine, the substance is “irritating to the skin.”
As a result, Gen Zers may be buying products that cause the very issue they are looking to solve.
This confusion around “clean beauty” is further amplified on social media platforms like TikTok. On the app, there are 63.7K posts with the hashtag #saiebeauty and 53.0K posts with the hashtag #kosas. TikTok “skinfluencers” often post with these hashtags to promote the products because they like the “clean ingredients.”
Educate Patients on Clean Skincare
The onus often falls on dermatologists to educate Generation Z about clean beauty standards and the lack thereof. This starts by explaining that there is no accepted definition for “clean beauty” yet and helping patients identify products with appropriate ingredients that will not cause acne, irritation, or other side effects.
After reviewing these ingredients, dermatologists should advise patients to do some research. Refer patients to websites such as INCIDecoder, where users can input almost any cosmetic product, view the ingredients, and determine whether the item is suitable for their skin.
About the Author
Brooke Armour is a Gen Z high school student in New York City. She serves as Co-President of the Pre-Med Club at Avenues The World School. She is also a staff writer for Hi Science, a student-led publication dedicated to promoting STEM education in a fun and accessible way.
FOR FURTHER READING:
Sephora. (n.d.). Saie Dew Blush Liquid Cheek Blush. Sephora. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.sephora.com/product/saie-dew-blush-liquid-cheek-blush-P469825
Sephora. (n.d.). Kosas Revealer Concealer. Sephora. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.sephora.com/product/kosas-revealer-concealer-P456151
Sephora. (n.d.). Clean + Planet Aware. Sephora. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.sephora.com/beauty/clean-planet-aware
Forbes Technology Council. (2020, July 7). What the Rise of TikTok Says About Generation Z. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2020/07/07/what-the-rise-of-tiktok-says-about-generation-z/
National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Phenylethyl alcohol. PubChem. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Phenylethyl-Alcohol
Soteri Skin. (n.d.). Acne-causing ingredients. Soteri Skin. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://soteriskin.com/blogs/skincare-articles/acne-causing-ingredients
