“Clean,” “Natural,” “Cruelty-Free”: Why Your Patients Are Asking—and What You Need to Know
With the rise of “clean beauty,” more patients are coming to dermatology visits with questions about the safety and ethics of their personal care products. Labels like “natural,” “organic,” “vegan,” and “cruelty-free” are everywhere—but what do they really mean?
This article from JDD’s vault explores the growing influence of marketing terms in skincare and what dermatologists should know to respond to patient concerns. While these labels often suggest safety and health-conscious choices, many are unregulated or inconsistently defined. Patients may avoid certain ingredients based on online claims rather than scientific evidence.
Understanding these terms, and the rationale behind commonly banned ingredients, can help you guide patients toward informed, evidence-based decisions without fueling fear or misinformation. As trusted skin health experts, dermatologists are uniquely positioned to cut through the noise and provide clarity in a crowded and confusing marketplace.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(9); 1012-1013. doi:10.36849/JDD.6795
