How does beauty become clean? By asking questions. We asked one of the most frequent questions we get to Christina Ross, Credo Beauty’s Director of Science and Policy. Here’s what she had to say:
Synthetics get a bad rap, but it's important to understand that 'synthetic' doesn't automatically mean 'toxic.'
Yes, synthetic ingredients are man-made and don't occur naturally in the environment—they're new molecules, created through chemical processes. Sometimes, these processes start with petrochemical feedstocks, like oil or gas, while other times they might begin with something natural, like a plant. However, through processing, these ingredients become something entirely new, not recognizable as natural anymore.
But here's the thing: synthetic ingredients can be designed to be safe and effective, and in some cases, they can even be more sustainable than their natural counterparts. For instance, lab-created molecules can be engineered to avoid certain allergens or environmental impacts that a natural ingredient might have.
It’s all about how these ingredients are formulated, tested, and used in a product—not just where they come from. But, synthetic or natural, we must stop relying on unsustainable chemical feedstocks (like petrochemical) or harvesting ingredients from delicate environments.
- Christina Ross, Director of Science and Policy Have more questions?
