The beauty industry is a multi-billion-dollar machine built on promises and capitalising off of our insecurities. Promises of miracle creams. Promises of “natural” solutions. Promises of perfect, poreless skin that defies aging, shouldn’t move and remain oh so plump and youthful at all times. Kind of like a robot.
And while the big dogs are rolling in our hard earned cash, we are left with drawers filled with half-used jars, breakouts that appear after trying something new, and a nagging sense that we just aren’t beautiful enough and maybe we’ve been sold more hype than results.
For decades, the industry has thrived on confusing labels, questionable ingredients, and marketing that preys on our insecurities, and creates new ones we didn’t even realise we had. It’s time we talk about the dark side of beauty, and why transparency, finally realising the fake perfectionism we are all chasing is never going to happen, and that clean, results-driven skincare is the only way forward.
The problem with toxic ingredients
It’s 2025, but you’d be surprised how many beauty products still contain ingredients linked to irritation, hormone disruption, or long-term health concerns. And the most concerning thing is, these brands are aware of this but still put the ingredients into their products and onto our skin knowing the havoc it is causing on our health and wellbeing. And if they truly aren’t aware of their toxic ingredients, are we trusting a brand that is clearly unresearched and for want of a better word, totally dumb?
A quick recap on some common toxic ingredients found in a majority of skincare and makeup products.
Parabens (preservatives that mimic estrogen)
Phthalates (often hidden in “fragrance”)
Formaldehyde releasers (slowly release a known carcinogen over time)
PEGs & SLS (harsh surfactants that strip the skin barrier)
What’s worse is how these ingredients are disguised. A label might look harmless, but unless you’re a chemist, you’d never know what’s hiding behind vague terms like “parfum” or “proprietary blend.”
And let’s not forget greenwashing, where brands throw around words like “natural,” “clean,” or “eco” with no legal definition to back it up. A product can call itself “clean” while still containing irritants, fillers, and hidden toxins. So here we are thinking we are making the right choice for our wellbeing by choosing the “clean” brand when they are really not clean at all. And those brands are the sneakiest of them all. Lack of authenticity and clear disregard to their consumers wellbeing.
The problem with trends
The beauty industry doesn’t just sell products. It sells cycles. Every few months, there’s a new “must-have” routine or miracle ingredient flooding social media. No wonder we are overwhelmed, over consumed and left wondering what is right for our skin?
Trends don’t often stick around for long, before you know it, a new one steps in and the “old” trend is cast to the side, unwanted and no longer relevant. Do we really want to be applying that concept to our skin’s health and wellbeing?
These trends keep us consuming but rarely deliver lasting skin health.
The problem with transparency (or lack there of)
Perhaps the most damaging issue is the lack of honesty.
With confusing labels and ingredients that make you feel like you need a bachelor in biology, hiding toxic ingredients in seemingly harmless words, testing secrecy so we can’t actually see a products stability testing, toxicology reports or clinical data and the perfection myth with retouched before and after’s and filtered skin.
The result? Consumers are left confused, misled, and stuck in a loop of trial, error, and disappointment. Not to mention our lack of self worth when we are bombarded with retouched and now AI generated imagery of gorgeous models with gorgeous skin that looks somewhat robotic? Funny how there is a common theme of trying to make women aspire to robots…
The beauty industry has spent decades creating problems just to sell the “solutions.” Problems we don’t actually have so don’t need to be fixed.
We’re flipping the script. Skincare isn’t about chasing flawless skin. It’s about protecting your barrier, nourishing your glowing complexion, and giving you confidence in your own skin to not need to buy into fad trends or ridiculous comparisons. Just you, your healthy skin, and a happy heart.
Because the truth is: good skin health is a form of self-respect, not self-obsession.
The dark side of the beauty industry thrives on confusion, toxins, and false promises. But you deserve better.
You deserve products that respect your skin, your health, and your intelligence. You deserve transparency, science, and results you can trust.
That’s why we created Reti Skin. Clean. Non-toxic. Results-driven. No BS.