“Change is tough at first, messy in the middle, but empowering at the end.”

Boudoir Secrets 

Some 50 years ago, women were notoriously discreet with their beauty regimen. Stripping the face bare of makeup and lathering magic creams to bring the face to its glowing glory is done in the privacy of the bedroom. What happens in the boudoir stays in the boudoir.

But the onset of technology has brought in a brazen turn of events. Women are now more open with their beauty secrets, often showing the world how they achieve their flawless, blemish-free complexion. Adding to the popularity are beauty influencers and celebrities joining the bandwagon and showing off their beauty repertoire. Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, the Kardashian clan – they have bared it all on-cam. The entertainment value is raking in the views. But with such a tedious process and tons of products used, could a beauty regimen be doing more harm than good?

Clean Beauty Revolution 

Not all beauty products are created equal. Some have complex ingredients we can't pronounce, while a few boast of natural origins. But with so much information just mere clicks away,  more women are becoming more conscious and curious about the chemicals that go into their lotions and creams. Gone are days of getting products off the shelf because it smells or looks good. Consumers are now reading the fine print and making healthier decisions for the body and the environment.

The clean beauty revolution was born out of a need for healthier alternatives, and it is now the gold standard when choosing skincare products that are safer for the body and the planet. The concept of clean beauty has been floating around for a while now, and although there's no clear-cut definition, the core focus is using hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and cruelty-free products. It's all about the goodness of nature—clean, safe, and eco-friendly.

Adding The Conscious Beauty Mark

The conscious effort of producing and choosing more environment-friendly products is probably one of the best decisions one can make. 

There's so much to gain and absolutely nothing to lose. Saving the Earth from suffocation from harmful chemicals is a big win for everyone. Less carbon footprint means reducing the effects of climate change and increasing the chances of having cleaner air and water. Using products not tested on animals is maintaining biodiversity. Putting on non-toxic ingredients in your body also means getting as far away as possible from elements that may be harmful to you. 

More companies are now utilizing a more sustainable approach when it comes to making their products. Consumers, too, are getting smarter in picking environment-friendly options. It may not be an overnight success, but a mark has definitely been made.  

Why Go Clean?

Clean Indicators: Spotting A Clean Product

 As one report cites, "On a typical day, a person uses 9-15 personal care products, each composed of 15-50 ingredients. Effectively, men and women apply over 150 unique ingredients to their bodies daily. It’s safe to know that not all of them are safe."

 So how do you spot a clean product? 

Many companies are claiming to be green and natural but sometimes, it's nothing but. Terms like natural, eco-friendly, organic, vegan, or sustainably sourced are music to the ears, however, the real deal is in the fine print. Toxic ingredients can be disguised in fancy buzzwords so make it a habit to read the label. Looking up clean beauty websites is helpful in doing a background check on your favorite products' ingredients. Some companies also have organic certifications stamped on their products, so this is also something to look out for. 

Unclean Indicators: Weeding Out The Bad

Let me tell you an ugly story. The beauty industry is largely unregulated.  

 According to  Erika Wilhelm, a spokesperson for the nonprofit Campaign for Safer Cosmetics, "The FDA doesn’t regulate the self-care products industry the same way it does food and beverages. It is perfectly legal for companies to use chemicals linked to cancer, congenital disabilities, hormone disruption, infertility, and respiratory harm in the beauty and personal care products we use every day.”

 How to earmark an 'unclean' product? Again, we go back to the label.

 An EWG report also says, "Since 2009, 595 cosmetics manufacturers have reported using 88 chemicals, in more than 73,000 products, that have been linked to various diseases."

 Many of these chemicals should be banned from cosmetics, as proposed in California Assembly Bill 2762, the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act. Among the toxic chemicals that should be banned are:

• Formaldehyde and  Paraformaldehyde can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis. It is also classified as a human carcinogen and is associated with developmental toxins, hair loss, scalp burns, asthma, and neurotoxicity.  
• Methylene Glycol is a chemical used as a moisturizer but can indirectly cause cardiovascular problems, and it can also lead to renal failure when regularly absorbed into the bloodstream. 
• Quaternium 15 is a “known human skin toxicant and allergen and possible eye irritant. It is also a formaldehyde-releasing preservative.
• Mercury - can cause damage to the kidneys and nervous system 
• Dibutyl and diethylhexyl phthalates cause hormone disruption and damage the human reproductive system.
• Isobutyl and isopropyl parabens are used to preserve cosmetics and have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. They are commonly added as antimicrobials in deodorants and makeups. Parabens are also blamed for hormone imbalance, fertility problems, and skin aging.
• The long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS are man-made chemicals used in a wide range of consumer and commercial products. These ingredients do not easily break down and have been shown to accumulate in the environment and in our bodies. 
• M- and o-phenylenediamine, upon contact with the skin, can cause burn and irritation. It may also lead to possible eye damage.
• Artificial fragrances are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies, and sensitivities.
• Petroleum Jelly is considered a threat to the environment and the human endocrine system. It is also listed as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization and Environmental Protection Agency. 
• Sodium laureth sulfate is added as a cleansing agent in products such as shampoos and soaps. Prolonged use can cause irritation in the mucous membrane and the eyes and skin. Worse, it can damage the kidney and may develop cancer cells. 
• Hydroquinone is widely used for skin lightening and treating melasma, scars, age spots, and hypertension. However, hydroquinone is a known carcinogen.
• Toluene is a petrochemical solvent found in dyes and nail polish. But it poses a high risk to the immune system and can cause blood cancer.

 Greenwashing has also been making the rounds as companies are becoming more aggressive with their marketing strategies. Read the label and don't be swayed by hollow promises. Do not take everything at face value and always verify a product's claims. 

 There are dermatologists and experts you can follow online for a better understanding of a product's ingredients. Always do a background check, scrutinize the brand and the item, and make sure it aligns with your values.

 Consumer research is a beauty sleuth's best weapon.  

BeLagu Naturals' Commitment to Clean, Safe, and Sustainable Skin Care

Now, here's a breath of fresh air. BeLagu Naturals is a clean beauty product that boasts of all-natural ingredients to keep skin glowing sans harmful effects. 

The luxury beauty brand takes pride in using only natural sources and has been targeting ingredient sustainability. Its commitment is to create clean products that are safe for the body and the environment. 

BeLagu Naturals’ promise is to make women more beautiful and confident in their own skin without making health the sacrificial lamb. Toxic is never beautiful so the brand's advocacy is to steer clear of harmful chemicals that can cause serious health repercussions. 

BeLagu Naturals’ ingredients are also ethically sourced and biodegradable. Plus, no animals are harmed in making the product. The manufacturing process adapts cruelty-free and environment-friendly practices. 

It’s a win-win! 

Clean Beauty Products by BeLagu Naturals

BeLagu Naturals uses various types of vegan ingredients like mushroom, cucumber, pumpkin, and purple yam in making its products. All these are safe and organic so you can be assured of a skincare product that really works. 

 Take a peek at some of BeLagu Naturals’ must-try and oh-so-luxurious creams and serums:

• Dewy Moisture Replenishing Cream is a lightweight yet hydrating moisturizer that enhances the skin’s elasticity for a healthy glow. 
• Youth Defense Serum + Reishi Mushroom and Fullerene is a Japanese technology that uses mushrooms to reduce the adverse effects of aging. The age-defying ingredients give skin a more youthful appearance.
• Mineral Sunscreen Face Moisturizer SPF 30 with Snow Mushroom is made with natural ingredients and lightweight formula that is proven safe and effective formula. Perfect for all skin types.
• Dewy Moisture Replenishing Cream, formulated with Snow Mushroom, leaves your skin hydrated and moisturized.
• Collagen Boosting Night Cream + Bakuchiol and Cordyceps Mushroom visibly reduces the number of wrinkles and laugh lines on your skin making it firm, tight, and plump. 
• Cucumber Magical Self-Foaming Vegan Mask is recommended for acne-prone skin as it helps tighten pores and regulate oil production, leaving your face smooth and moisturized.
• Purple Yam Magical Self-Foaming Vegan Mask is infused with Snow Mushroom’s polysaccharides extract to reduce pigmentation and keeps skin hydrated. 
• Rapid Brightening Serum + Shiitake Mushroom & Tranexamic Acid promotes smooth and even-toned skin with its pure, organic, and gentle ingredients. It gives skin a radiant glow.

The luxury brand offers all-out natural, vegan products that give skin the care and love it needs. It hydrates the skin, improves elasticity, and prevents aging, and it also removes impurities and makes skin glow with health. 

Pamper your skin naturally with organic ingredients like yam, cucumber, mushrooms, and pumpkin. BeLagu Naturals chooses only the best natural products to ensure you look glowing and radiant.  

BeLagu Naturals unleashes the pure goodness of mushrooms in its line of products. Here are some of the best kinds:

• Reishi mushrooms are fantastic for hydrating the skin. They contain beta-glucans which aid the skin in keeping and locking in water under the skin.
• Shiitake mushrooms work well in fading the appearance of scarring and photodamage. They have healing properties and are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
• Snow mushroom is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it helps in restoring the skin's natural balance and temperature. 
• Cordyceps also has excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It keeps skin moisturized and fights free radicals to ward off signs of aging.
• Tremella has robust hydration efficacy thanks to its unique polysaccharides. This component forms a flexible film on the skin to lock in moisture and keep the skin smooth and hydrated.

As for pumpkins, they can penetrate deep into the skin to give natural nourishment and hydration. It contains antioxidants and Vitamins C and A to help soften and soothe dry skin. It also boosts collagen production to keep wrinkles away.

Cucumber has a lot of essential nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants, which help unclog and minimize enlarged pores. Its rich water content also effectively keeps the skin hydrated and naturally glowing.

Yams are great in rebuilding skin cells because of their high level of antioxidants. It is also rich in vitamin C, which promotes collagen production and maintains skin elasticity. 

Cranberries, aside from being delicious, are also filled with vitamin C and salicylic acid. This is a powerful combination in reducing hyper-pigmentation, eliminating acne scars, and lightening blemishes to achieve glowing skin.

The Future of Clean Beauty and the Role of BeLagu Naturals 

The beauty industry has a huge responsibility to its consumers. Each company should take it upon itself to continuously innovate and make products that are safe, eco-friendly, and effective. 

On the other hand, the future is bright and exciting for the clean beauty movement. It still has a long way to go, but with the gears already shifting in the right direction, it won't be long before other players in the cosmetic industry will catch up to this trend. And the good part is consumers are playing as active participants in this movement, and they have been making smart decisions on what products to use on their bodies. 

According to a NielsenIQ study, “Consumers are becoming increasingly invested in sustainable beauty trends and tell us that the most important attributes they look for when shopping for beauty and personal care products are those that promise and deliver the following:

• Use natural ingredients (40.2%)
• Respect the environment (17.6%)
• Use reusable and recyclable packaging at 7.9% and 15.8%, respectively

Younger consumers, in particular, tend to be the most interested in sustainable products, with Gen Z consumers 1.3 times more likely to want to try environmentally friendly products.”

Safe, sustainable, and clean beauty – that is the BaLagu way 

BeLagu Naturals is the future of clean beauty. The brand strongly advocates for beauty, health, and environmental sustainability. It’s a brand that advocates for clean beauty for women and a healthy planet to live in.

Believe. Be Brave. Be Beautiful. BeLagu.