Rediscovering the Purpose of Clean Beauty on World Cancer Day
From Empowerment to Accountability—Why Clean Beauty Needs a Soul
When Clean Beauty Was a Lifeline
In the early days of building SAPPHO, I received weekly emails that moved me to my core. Women, many of whom had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, were searching for clean, safe products they could trust. Clean beauty wasn’t a trend to them; it was a necessity—a small yet vital step toward reclaiming control over their health during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.
I had lost my mother to cancer, my brother had cancer and so did my dad. My sister has lived with leukemia for the last decade.
These letters shaped my mission. They were a reminder that beauty should empower, not harm. For these women, clean beauty was more than makeup—it was hope.
When Beauty Became Vacant
Over time, however, clean beauty’s purpose has been diluted, reduced to little more than a marketing buzzword. What began as a health-driven movement has, in many cases, become a fashion statement devoid of soul. The multi-billion-dollar cosmetics industry, despite being one of the world’s largest polluters, often escapes accountability. It’s an industry so overlooked that you’re more likely to find discussions on auto mechanics in business forums than on the impact of cosmetics.
The pink ribbon itself tells a sobering story. Did you know that the original breast cancer ribbon was peach? It was created by Charlotte Haley, a cancer survivor and advocate. When large corporations approached her to use her ribbon for commercial gain, she refused, recognizing that their motivations were not aligned with genuine advocacy. In response, these companies created the now-iconic pink ribbon, a symbol that has since been co-opted for countless campaigns—some of which do little to serve the cause they claim to support.
Accountability in Beauty
The beauty industry’s lack of regulation has led to numerous lawsuits, exposing the presence of toxic ingredients like PFAS in makeup. These "forever chemicals," linked to health concerns including cancer, are a stark reminder of how far we still have to go. Many of these lawsuits stem from brands prioritizing shortcuts over safety, often at the expense of the people who trusted them most.
At SAPPHO, we refuse to be part of this broken system. We test for PFAS and are committed to full transparency. For us, clean beauty is not just about the absence of harmful ingredients—it’s about the presence of integrity.
Building a New Paradigm
On this World Cancer Day, it’s time to revisit what clean beauty truly stands for. It’s about empowerment, transparency, and health. It’s about creating products that honor the women who inspired this movement—women who were searching for more than beauty; they were searching for safety and trust.
We can no longer accept a paradigm of vacant beauty. The products we use every day impact not only our bodies but also our environment. As consumers, we have the power to demand better from the industry—to insist on accountability and real change.
Clean Beauty with Purpose
Let’s take this day to honor the original spirit of clean beauty: a movement rooted in hope, health, and empowerment. Together, we can ensure that beauty is more than skin deep—it can be a force for good.