The clean beauty movement continues to gather some serious momentum, with a constant stream of sustainable brands emerging and planet-based ingredients to try. But with endless list of toxins to avoid, ethical practices to look out for, locally produced products to source and plastic-free packing to recycle, it can be difficult to keep up and understand what beauty you’re really investing in — never mind if it actually works. Which is why we’ve called in an expert to breakdown what you need to know about clean beauty.
Sustainable beauty advocate, Mouna Azirar, recently founded UAE-based clean beauty e-commerce platform, Hoiisa, to help consumers understand why clean ingredients matter and where they can be sourced. “I decided to create a unique platform, a one-stop destination of clean and sustainable beauty as I had difficulties finding these products in Dubai, where I have been living for several years,” says Mouna.
“I wanted to focus on a better beauty world in the Middle East by creating something pioneering that would educate the region on sustainable beauty and clean living.” Here, Mouna gives us the lowdown on all things clean beauty.
Clean beauty should be environmentally conscious and have ethical business practices. It should be kind to all living beings. That means they need to not be tested on animals; they need to consider the local community’s welfare (if possible) and be aware of the health of the planet, and how its existence contributes to it.
Sustainable and ethical brands should have ingredients that are cruelty-free, and perhaps organic, natural and vegan. But they also must have a business practice that works with ethical sourcing, such as focusing on ethical labour practices, robust waste and resource management, thoughtful packaging and be involved with charitable giving. But buying any product that ticks most of these sustainable beauty criteria is no doubt a positive step in the right direction.
I use the SPF 30 version on my two kids each time we are at the pool or beach. It is organically crafted with zinc oxide, aloe, sunflower, olive and jojoba oils and infused with organic essential oils of chamomile and lavender. It’s a light cream that doesn’t leave white residue, and doesn’t use unwanted chemicals.
This protective and healing treatment leaves my hair shiny whenever I apply it; it acts as a heat protectant from the stress of blow-drying. I absolutely love all Rahua products, they are cruelty free and made with 100% natural, organic, pure plant derived ingredients and are 100% vegan.
