FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there a difference between ‘Clean’ Beauty, and ‘Green’ Beauty?

    Yes. Clean beauty is defined as products that are safe for humans. They are made from fewer harmful ingredients known to cause adverse health effects (everything from mild skin irritations to cancer). These offending ingredients include the 'paraben' family, phthalates, SLS/SELS, ethanolamines, and many more. They lurk in many beauty products from makeup to shampoo to sunscreen.

    Green beauty describes beauty and personal care products made from 100% all-natural ingredients. However, with fewer regulations, it's easy to 'greenwash' products by labelling them "100% all-natural". We recommend you do your own research and read labels carefully. On the other hand, some products might be labelled "Certified Organic". This is a distinction offered to those brands whose ingredients are naturally sourced without chemicals or pesticides and are verified by one of many worldwide regulatory bodies.
  • What harmful ingredients should I look out for?

    Parabens: A preservative found in many cosmetics that has been proven to pass through our skin barrier and into our bodies.

    Phthalates: Believed to be endocrine disrupters, phthalates can lead to a slew of hormonal health problems. 

    Mineral oil and other petroleum distillates, like paraffin wax: Mineral oil, paraffin wax and liquid paraffin are petroleum distillation byproducts. There's concern around how they're sourced and possible contamination with PAHs, which are a known carcinogen.

    Oxybenzone: Aside from being a possible endocrine disruptor, this common SPF ingredient was just banned in Hawaii because it has been shown to cause harm to coral reefs. 

    Hydroquinone: This common ingredient in heavy-duty skin-brightening products has a murky verdict from the FDA.

    Selenium sulfide: This ingredient has been banned in the EU and Japan because of concerns regarding toxicity and harmfulness for consumers and the environment. The FDA has not found selenium sulfide to be dangerous in small amounts, and it’s legal over the counter in concentrations of 1% or less.

    BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene): Common preservatives linked to skin irritation and hormone disruption.

    Other ingredients that we do not include in our selection of vendor products include: formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances, animal oils, lead, plastic microbeads, ethanolamines (MEA, DEA, TEA), toluene, phenoxyethanol over 1% of total formulation.

    For a full list and to learn more about our Nourish No-No List, click here.
  • Are the products tested on animals?

    Never. Nourish does not partner with any brands that perform animal testing on their products.
  • Are clean beauty products more expensive?

    By nature, clean beauty products are made using no toxic ingredients that usually cost less to make, which is why production using healthier, safer alternative ingredients are usually more costly. At the same time, usually clean beauty products aren’t produced on the same mass scale as mass brands. The ingredients used in clean beauty products are better in quality and better for you and the planet, so we believe it’s worth the extra investment for peace of mind that what you’re putting on your body is safe.

    That being said, we strive to offer a wide range of clean beauty brands that are accessible at all income levels and targeted at multiple age groups and skin concerns. 
  • Why do clean beauty products sometimes vary in colour, scent, or texture?

    Believe it or not, variations of colour, scent and texture are a good sign. It's a sign that harsh preservatives and heavy synthetic fragrances were not used. Additionally, natural oils and other harvested ingredients come from different farms and varieties at different times of the year which can also affect the colour, scent and even the feel of the product. Consider them like fine vintage wines – each one totally unique according to the harvest. Natural and organic products will have their own characteristic scents that might be milder because they may contain essential oils which are used in aromatherapy. Rather than being overpowering or even irritating, the smell of natural products should be relaxing and healing. 
  • How do I know what products and brands are best suited to my skin type?

    We've curated a quick and easy skin test to help you narrow down the exact products that are well-suited for your skin type.

    TAKE THE SKIN QUIZ
  • Where can I find more information about the brands and their values?

    Nourish is based on a philosophy of sourcing brands that don't harm our health & safety, our planet, and are fully transparent in their ingredients and manufacturing process. We also welcome and encourage our shoppers to conduct their own research about a brand. You can find more information about each brand we carry here, by clicking on the name of the brand you're interested in.
  • Are all the products on your website vegan?

    No, not all products sold by Nourish are vegan, as some brands' products use ingredients like beeswax. However, we do ask our brand partners to assure that their ingredients are ethically sourced so as to not harm the bees. The product page will have a "Vegan" mention, if applicable. All products we offer are cruelty-free and do not do any animal testing.