Rethinking the Skincare Industry: Why it’s Time to Break the Beauty Rules

Join me in rethinking the beauty industry, not just for the sake of rebellion but to create a better, more transparent future for our skin and our planet.

The beauty industry has long dazzled us with its glossy promises of perfection, glowing skin, and youthful radiance. But behind the sparkle lies a less glamorous truth—one built on a history of harm, marketing manipulation, and a relentless push for more. More products. More steps. More confusion?

A History Written in Harm

The roots of beauty run deep—and not always in nourishing soil. A glance into the past reveals a sobering pattern of dangerous trends disguised as must-have miracles.

• Lead in Makeup: In the 18th century, a pale face was the pinnacle of beauty, and powdered lead was the secret weapon. Women unknowingly applied poison to their faces, leading to hair loss, skin damage, and, in some cases, death.
• Radium in Skincare: In the early 1900s, radium-laced creams promised to revitalise the skin with a radiant glow. And they did—by literally radiating it. The result? Radioactive burns, disfigurement, and serious long-term health risks.
• Mercury in Lightening Creams: Alarmingly, mercury still appears in some illegal products today, especially skin-lightening creams, despite being known to cause kidney damage and neurological issues.

These examples might feel like ancient history, but their legacy lingers. The ingredients may have changed, but the industry’s tendency to favour profit over well-being remains disturbingly consistent. And while we may scoff at the use of radium, are we really that different when we layer product upon product, many with unregulated or poorly researched ingredients? It still baffles me why rethinking the skincare industry happens only when it has disastrous results.

The Illusion of Safety: “Safe at Small Doses”

One of the most comforting phrases in modern skincare is also one of the most misleading: “It’s safe at small doses.”

At first glance, it sounds reassuring. But let’s pause and unpack it.

Most of us aren’t using just one product. We’re layering cleansers, toners, serums, moisturisers, and sunscreens—plus makeup, fragrance, and body care. Each may contain preservatives, synthetic fragrances, silicones, parabens, or phthalates. While these ingredients might be considered “safe” in isolation, that’s not how we actually use them.

What happens when these small doses stack up—day after day, layer upon layer?

That’s where things get murky. And it’s not just theoretical.

I recently discovered that my favourite foundation contained microplastics—tiny synthetic particles with no skincare benefit. Their inclusion serves no purpose other than for formulation convenience or profit. And that didn’t sit right with me.

In recent years, microplastics have been found in everything from our bloodstream to our lungs—and even in human cancer tissue. A 2021 study detected plastic particles in both cancerous and non-cancerous breast tissue, and a 2024 study found microplastics in every colorectal cancer tumour examined. While researchers haven’t confirmed a direct link between microplastics and cancer, their presence in such sensitive areas raises critical questions about what we’re absorbing through food, water, air, and yes, skincare.

And here’s the crux of the issue: we don’t fully know the long-term effects of cumulative exposure. That’s the problem.

The science simply hasn’t caught up with how most of us actually live and care for our skin. Cumulative exposure, chemical interactions, and skin barrier disruption are vastly under-researched. Yet the burden of safety often falls on us, the consumers. We’re expected to navigate complex ingredient lists, understand regulatory loopholes, and somehow trust that what we’re using daily is fine because it’s “only a little.”

That’s not transparency. That’s marketing.

As someone with BRCA2 and a family history of cancer, I don’t take these things lightly. I’m not here to create fear but to call for clarity, accountability, and truly informed choices. We deserve more than clever taglines and watered-down promises. We deserve skincare that respects not just our appearance but our whole health.

The Natural Beauty Movement: Not Fear, But Awareness

Recently, I watched a podcaster interview a well-known industry executive who was claiming that the natural beauty movement was “rooted in fear-mongering.” Let me reassure you now that the movement I’ve been part of for over two decades isn’t about fear—it’s about asking the right questions. It’s about recognising the gap between what we’re told and what’s actually in our products. It’s about challenging outdated norms and marketing myths that have gone unchecked for far too long. It is the reaction of the industry that highlights how important rethinking the skincare industry truly is.

Natural beauty isn’t anti-science. It’s pro-transparency.

It’s not about demonising synthetic ingredients—it’s about ensuring they’re necessary, non-toxic, and used responsibly.

And most of all, it’s about choice. Real, informed, empowered choice.

The Problem with Overconsumption

Let’s talk about the infamous 10-step skincare routine.

I’ll admit it: I was fascinated when Korean beauty first entered the mainstream. The layering, the textures, the rituals—it was beautiful. But after years of experience and research, I’ve come to see how overwhelming (and potentially harmful) these routines can be when packed with synthetics, preservatives, and sensitising ingredients.

The skin is a living organ. It thrives on balance—not on being bombarded with layer upon layer of active ingredients. Discover what your skin is in need of and choose ingredients that soothe and nourish

From an environmental perspective, the overproduction and overconsumption of beauty products generate enormous waste. It’s unsustainable for our skin and the planet.

The beauty industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging every year, and most of it ends up in landfills or the ocean. With only 9% of plastic ever recycled, it’s clear we can’t shop our way out of this problem—we need fewer, better products with mindful packaging.

–Sources: Zero Waste Week (2022), National Geographic (2018)

My Personal Wake-Up Call

My “aha” moment came years ago, when I was working as a spa therapist. We were introduced to a brand-new “natural” range that proudly claimed to be SLS-free. Excited, I flipped over the bottle—only to see SLES listed as a main ingredient. Slightly altered, just as irritating, and still synthetic.

That was the moment I realised how easily brands hide behind clever marketing. I began questioning everything—from what I was applying to clients’ skin to what I was using at home. I returned to my roots in aromatherapy, began studying cosmetic formulation, and started crafting products with transparency, simplicity, and safety at the heart.

Breaking the Rules for a Healthier Future

When I talk about “breaking the rules,” I’m not suggesting we abandon skincare altogether. I’m saying it’s time to rethink the skincare industry—and redefine what beauty means.

Here’s how we can start:

1. Question the Marketing

Words like “hypoallergenic,” “non-comedogenic,” and “clean” aren’t regulated. Don’t take them at face value. Look at ingredient lists. Research brands. Ask questions.

2. Simplify Your Routine

You don’t need ten steps. In fact, most skin types respond better to fewer, higher-quality products. Focus on nourishment, balance, and what your skin actually needs—not what a TikTok trend says it does.

3. Prioritise Purposeful Ingredients

Choose products with clear, purposeful formulations. Look for brands that explain why each ingredient is there. Natural doesn’t always mean better, but when used mindfully, it can be incredibly powerful.

4. Support Honest Brands

Choose companies that align with your values. At Rebecca Isabel Skincare, we prioritise gentle, effective ingredients that respect both skin and sustainability. No greenwashing. No gimmicks. Just skincare with a conscience.

My Mission: Rethinking the skincare industry with Rebecca Isabel Skincare

At Rebecca Isabel HQ, we don’t follow fleeting trends—we honour timeless principles. Our products are designed to support skin health and emotional well-being. From aromatherapy-rich oil serums to waterless formulations that cut down on preservatives and waste, every choice is intentional.

I created the BareFaced Facts blog as a place to explore the truth behind beauty marketing, ingredient safety, and holistic skincare rituals. It’s where science meets nature—honestly, playfully, and always with curiosity.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Rewrite the Beauty Rulebook

The beauty industry is due for a revolution—one that prioritises health over hype, simplicity over excess, and honesty over empty promises.

Let’s stop chasing impossible standards and start nourishing ourselves with intention.

Let’s rewrite the rules—together.

Because your skin deserves better.

And so does your planet.