At The Honest Company, we believe in full transparency regarding the ingredients used in our Clean Conscious™ products. Our goal is to empower customers to make informed decisions about the products they use on themselves and their families. As part of our commitment to this, we have created a glossary of terms to help you better understand the ingredients in our products.

Alcohol refers to both Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol) and Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Ethyl alcohol is commonly used in products like hand sanitizers due to its ability to kill germs, though it can sometimes cause skin dryness. When we label products as “alcohol-free” or “made without alcohol,” they may still contain other forms of alcohol like cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol. These longer-chain alcohols help stabilize formulas and are known for their moisturizing properties.

Clean at Honest is a core part of our commitment to using only safe and effective ingredients. We meticulously formulate our products by excluding substances that pose significant risks to human health or the environment. While manufacturing is complex, we strive to ensure that no harmful chemicals are present in any of our formulas, although trace amounts of unintended ingredients may sometimes be found. Every ingredient used is thoroughly evaluated through rigorous risk assessments conducted by our team of board-certified toxicologists. We also partner with organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the National Eczema Association (NEA) to ensure our products meet the highest safety standards.

Colloidal Oatmeal is an ingredient we use to soothe dry and itchy skin. Derived from oats, colloidal oatmeal acts as an emollient, providing hydration and soothing relief to the skin.

Cruelty-Free is a certification we proudly uphold. Honest does not conduct animal testing during any stage of product development or production, and we do not allow third parties to do so on our behalf.

Microplastic-Free refers to products that do not contain intentionally added microplastics. Microplastics are synthetic polymers that are both water-insoluble and non-degradable, and they can cause environmental harm. We ensure our formulas are free from these harmful materials.

Natural or Naturally Derived means that a product contains at least 95% natural ingredients. The non-water portion must be at least 50% bio-based, meaning derived from plant, animal, or microorganism sources, or it can include certain minerals.

Plant-Based refers to products that include at least 50% plant or plant-derived ingredients. These ingredients are minimal in processing to retain their natural benefits and are carefully selected for their performance in skincare.

Prebiotics serve as nourishment for the beneficial bacteria on your skin, supporting its natural barrier and promoting overall skin health.

Toxicologist Audited is part of our Honest Standard, ensuring that each product undergoes a thorough evaluation for chemical safety. Our toxicologists assess potential hazards and examine the overall safety of the formula, providing additional peace of mind for consumers.

Vegan/No Animal By-Products indicates that a product does not contain any ingredients derived from animals. This includes common animal products like honey, beeswax, lanolin, and gelatin. Our vegan formulations ensure that no animals are harmed in the creation of our products.

By understanding these terms, you can make more informed decisions about the products you use, knowing that they meet the strictest standards of safety, sustainability, and effectiveness. At Honest, our mission is to make clean, conscious living accessible and empowering for everyone.