Dr Blair Murphy-Rose on the Latest News from Europe, Healthy Beauty and Skincare Junkie

The European Parliament and Council have made news recently when they provisionally agreed on new rules to ban misleading ‘greenwashing’ ads. Under the anti-greenwashing rules, generic environmental claims, such as ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘natural’, ‘biodegradable’, ‘climate neutral’ or ‘eco’, will be prohibited unless there is proof of “recognised excellent environmental performance” relevant to the claim.  

We asked Dr. Murphy-Rose to comment on the news. 

I think this is great news. It will help consumers to make more informed choices and brands to be more transparent and honest about their products. As a dermatologist, I believe that skincare brands must be transparent about their ingredients and environmental impact. 

I am passionate about creating skincare products that are safe, effective, and sustainable, and that deliver real results without compromising the health of our skin and are thoughtful about the environment. I founded Skincare Junkie, a brand that is committed to providing non-toxic, science-backed, clinically-tested skincare solutions that are also cruelty-free and vegan. 

Do you think this new development might impact the U.S. skincare market? 

These new rules, when they come into effect, will be specific to the European market but they will hopefully have a ripple effect on the U.S. beauty market. American consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the health and environmental impact of their purchases. There is growing awareness and demand for sustainable and ethical skincare products. 

More and more Americans are realizing the importance of taking care of their skin and the environment at the same time, and they are looking for brands that share these values. This is a great opportunity for the skincare industry to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and preferences of the consumers.

I think that consumers in the U.S. deserve better protection and education when it comes to skincare products. I hope this latest development will inspire more U.S. skincare brands to follow suit and to adopt similar standards. We need to raise the bar for health, safety and environmental standards. 

From your experience as a dermatologist, are many people confused as to what makes a sustainable, non-toxic skincare product? 

There is indeed a lot of confusion about what makes a skincare product non-toxic or safe. Terms like "natural" and "organic" are often misunderstood or misused. 

It's important to mention that ‘natural’ does not equate to safe. Many natural or organic ingredients can be irritating and even harmful to the skin. For example, botanicals are often highly allergenic. And, on the other hand, many synthetic ingredients are safe and highly effective. 

Marketing terms such as "natural", "organic", "clean", and "green" are not regulated, and so do not necessarily mean that the product is safe or effective. Many people are also unaware of the potential risks of some common ingredients or preservatives that are used in skincare products, such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, fragrances, or artificial colors. Some of these risks include skin irritation, allergies, hormonal disruption (with several documented harmful effects), and even cancer. 

It is not just about the skincare product being non-toxic and having safe ingredients. Has it been tested on animals, or is it cruelty-free? Are animal products used in the ingredients, or is it vegan? 

What would be your advice to the readers who want to find safe, healthy beauty products for their skin? 

My advice to readers looking for safe, healthy beauty products is to do your research. Look for brands that are transparent about their ingredients and manufacturing processes. Don't automatically trust advertising or marketing claims. Consult with a dermatologist or a skincare professional if you're unsure. Remember, what matters most is that the product works for your skin, keeps you healthy, and aligns with your values. 

Another good tip is to look for products that are certified by reputable organizations or authorities, such as Leaping Bunny, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), or the USDA Organic, which have strict criteria and standards for safety, efficacy, and sustainability. 

Finally, look for products that have minimal and transparent ingredients, that are free of harmful or questionable chemicals, and that are biodegradable or recyclable. And, of course, patch test every new product before using it. 

Why did you decide to launch Skincare Junkie? 

As a board-certified dermatologist, I treat many different skin issues in my practice—breakouts, redness, dryness, compromised skin barriers and so on. I noticed that my patients were struggling to find safe, non-toxic, hypoallergenic skincare products that would help them achieve healthy, beautiful skin with low risk of harm or irritation. 

Few clinically proven skincare products that work often have an unappealing smell or leave residue. Healthy skincare does not have to be difficult or boring! I wanted to create a line of non-toxic, hypoallergenic, easy-to-apply skincare products that I would feel confident suggesting to my patients (and using myself!) and that they would enjoy using. And so Skincare Junkie was born. 

At Skincare Junkie, we are committed to creating innovative, effective, non-compromising skincare, and our mission is to make healthy skincare fun. The Skincare Junkie product collection features clean, highly effective formulations that smell nice, are easy to apply and use safe, non-toxic, clinically proven ingredients, while removing anything that is known to cause health problems. 

All of our products are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and vegan. They are paraben-, phthalate-, sulfate-, and SLS-free too. Our product collection includes Gently Jelly Facial Cleanser, Megadose Super Antioxidant Face Moisturizer and Pore Therapy Daily Toner Pads, with an innovative Discoloration Fade Wand due to launch soon. Feed your need for healthy skin and get your drama-free skincare now!