What Does Clean Beauty Really Mean?

Breaking Down the Claims You See (and What They Mean for You)

At Sunniemade, we believe in self-care that feels good and does good—for your body, your health, and the planet. But we know clean beauty can get confusing fast. There are a lot of claims floating around, and not all of them are clearly defined (or regulated).

This guide unpacks the most common claims you’ll see on Sunniemade products and explains what they actually mean, why they matter, and how they show up in what we make.


Plastic-Free

What it means:
The product contains zero plastic—no bottles, pumps, shrink wrap, hidden liners, or microplastic-laden ingredients.

Why it matters:
Plastic is a major contributor to pollution and takes hundreds of years to break down. Even “recyclable” plastic is often not actually recycled. Going plastic-free helps reduce landfill waste, ocean pollution, and fossil fuel use. It also protects you—plastic packaging can leach chemicals into the product over time, especially when exposed to heat or sunlight.

How Sunniemade does it:
Every single one of our products is 100% plastic-free—designed in solid formats that allow us to ditch the plastic packaging and shipping materials. We use materials like aluminum tins, paperboard, and parchment paper that are compostable and/or recyclable.


Recyclable / Compostable

What it means:
The packaging can either be effectively recycled or safely composted at home or in commercial facilities. When an item is considered compostable, it indicates that it is made of organic, biodegradable materials that can be returned to the environment. It is best to recycle clean, unsoiled paperboard (like boxes) and resort to composting only when packaging is soiled or otherwise unfit to be recycled.

Why it matters:
Most beauty packaging ends up in landfills because it’s made with mixed materials or hard-to-recycle plastics. Compostable or recyclable options give your packaging a better end-of-life path.

How Sunniemade does it:
We design with the end in mind. Our shampoo and conditioner bar and bar soap boxes are printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks, so they can be recycled or composted. Our recyclable and compostable lip balm tubes are printed on FSC-certified paper and made using a natural adhesive. Even our packing materials are biodegradable.


Paraben-Free

What it means:
The formula is free from parabens—preservatives commonly used in cosmetics to extend shelf life.

Why it matters:
Parabens have been linked to hormone disruption and may build up in the body over time. While more research is needed, many people choose to avoid them due to health concerns.

How Sunniemade does it:
We skip the parabens—and still deliver long-lasting, effective products using natural preservatives like vitamin E, rosemary extract, and carefully formulated oils and butters.


Phthalate-Free

What it means:
The product contains no phthalates—plasticizers often found in synthetic fragrances and flexible plastics.

Why it matters:
Phthalates have been associated with endocrine disruption and reproductive concerns. They're often hidden under the word “fragrance,” making them hard to spot.

How Sunniemade does it:
We never use synthetic fragrances—so no hidden phthalates here. We scent our products naturally with essential oils and natural fragrance blends, always clearly listed on the label so you know what's inside.


Vegan & Cruelty-Free

What it means:
No animal-derived ingredients—like beeswax, lanolin, or tallow—are used.

Why it matters:
Vegan products align with cruelty-free, animal-friendly values. They also tend to have a smaller environmental footprint.

How Sunniemade does it:
Every Sunniemade formula is fully vegan—right down to our waxes and colorants. Instead of beeswax, for example, we use candelilla wax, which comes from plants.


Naturally-Derived

What it means:
The ingredients come from nature—like plants, seeds, and minerals—rather than being synthetically produced in a lab.

Why it matters:
Naturally-derived ingredients are often kinder to the skin and easier to break down in the environment. Plus, they’re packed with nutrients your body loves.

How Sunniemade does it:
Our ingredients are as close to nature as possible. You’ll find things like mango butter, coconut-derived surfactants, and plant-based oils that clean, moisturize, and nourish—no synthetics needed.


Free from Artificial Fragrances & Dyes

What it means:
The product contains no synthetic colors or lab-created fragrance blends—only naturally sourced scents and colorants (like essential oils or natural clays).

Why it matters:
Artificial fragrances and dyes can contain ingredients that are believed to be harmful to human bodies and ecosystems. Many synthetic fragrance compounds (sometimes hundreds in a single product) are hidden behind the word “fragrance,” and aren't required to be individually disclosed. Some are linked to allergies, hormone disruption, or respiratory issues. Synthetic dyes are often petroleum-based and may contain contaminants like heavy metals.

How Sunniemade does it:
We never use artificial fragrances or dyes—ever. Our scents come from real essential oils and natural blends, and our colors come from minerals like mica or clays. What you smell and see is the real deal—nothing more, nothing less.


🔍 Want to Check for Yourself?

We love an informed shopper. Here are a few trustworthy tools you can use to decode ingredients and product safety:


Bottom Line

Clean beauty shouldn’t be a mystery. When you understand the claims, you can choose what aligns with your values and your health. At Sunniemade, we’re proud to back up every promise we make with full ingredient transparency, thoughtful packaging, and plant-powered formulas that work.

Ready to experience clean beauty that keeps it real?

Explore our products →