Our Clean Philosophy
Our Philosophy
Clean. Safe. Simple. Effective.
"Clean" isn't a regulated term in beauty. There's no official definition, which means every brand gets to decide what it stands for. The same goes for "natural": an ingredient coming from a plant doesn't automatically make it safe, and an ingredient made in a lab doesn't automatically make it toxic. What matters is how each ingredient is sourced, tested, and used. That's why we believe in being transparent about our standards. Below is our definition of clean and the rules we follow every time we formulate, so you always know exactly what goes into your products and what stays out.
Our Clean Standards
Everyone has their own definition of "clean". Here's what it means to us.
Our Clean Standards
Scent
wS: Essential oils + botanicals
Conventional Formulas: Synthetic fragrance, often with phthalates
Preservation
wS: Plant + fermentation-based preservation
Conventional Formulas: Parabens
Color
wS: Mineral pigments, botanicals, clays, ethically-sourced micas
Conventional Formulas: Dyes
Ingredient Origin
wS: Plants when possible* + ethically-sourced beeswax/honey
Conventional Formulas: Animal-derived ingredients like carmine, tallow + lanolin
Testing
wS: Never tested on animals
Conventional Formulas: May be tested on animals
Moisture Agents
wS: Plant oils like jojoba + rosehip
Conventional Formulas: May contain mineral oil
Cleansing Agents
wS: Saponified oils + butters
Conventional Formulas: Sulfates
Texture
wS: Plant oils, waxes + botanicals
Conventional Formulas: Silicones
*Natural doesn't always mean better, and synthetic doesn't always mean harmful. We choose naturally sourced ingredients whenever possible and use lab-made ones when they're a safer or more eco-sustainable choice.
How we choose our ingredients
Research First
Before an ingredient makes it into a formula, we study it closely. We consult multiple trusted sources to understand how it works, how it's made, and how it interacts with skin.
Safety+ Testing
We keep essential oils within established usage guidelines so scents stay gentle on skin. We also rely on preservative efficacy testing for water-based products and heavy metal testing when applicable.
Responsible Sourcing
We look for suppliers who harvest sustainably and use earth-friendly practices. When a naturally sourced option is the safest and most sustainable choice, we use it. When a lab-made version is better, we choose that instead.
Purpose Over Trends
We skip the buzzy ingredients of the moment and focus on what's proven. Every ingredient serves a clear purpose, whether that's hydrating, nourishing, preserving, or adding color.
FAQs
Since "clean" isn't a regulated term, every brand defines it differently. For us, it means formulating without synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, dyes, sulfates, and silicones, and choosing every ingredient based on how it's sourced, tested, and used. You can see our full standards in the chart above.
Our products are fragrance-free, with scents from essential oils and botanicals. That means we never add synthetic fragrance blends, which can contain dozens of undisclosed ingredients. Any scent you notice comes from plant-based ingredients listed right on the label along with any applicable fragrance allergens per EU and Health Canada regulations.
We keep essential oils within established usage guidelines so scents stay gentle on skin. That said, every person's skin is different, and some people are sensitive to specific plant ingredients. If you have sensitive skin or known allergies, we recommend reviewing the ingredient list and patch testing before full use. You can learn more on our Allergy Info & Disclaimer page.
Natural doesn't always mean safe, and lab-made doesn't always mean toxic. We choose naturally sourced ingredients whenever possible and use lab-made ones when they're the safer or more eco-sustainable source.
For example, per FDA guidelines, Iron Oxide must be lab-made primarily to prevent toxic heavy metal contamination and for safety reasons.
We use plant and fermentation-based preservatives. Products that contain water need preservation to stay fresh and safe, so when applicable, we rely on preservative efficacy testing to make sure our preservatives are doing their job.
Most of our products are vegan. A few contain ethically sourced beeswax or honey, and we always list them clearly in the ingredients. Check each product page to see whether it's vegan.
Yes. Our products are formulated without gluten-containing ingredients like wheat, barley, and rye. Some of our raw ingredients may be produced in facilities that also process gluten. If you have celiac disease or a severe gluten sensitivity, we recommend reviewing each product's ingredient list or reaching out to us with any questions.
Not yet, but we're working on it! We're currently in the process of earning our Leaping Bunny certification. Rest assured, we never test our products on animals, and we purposely seek out ingredient suppliers who share that commitment.
Some withSimplicity products are soy-free, but not all.
A few products may contain soy directly, while others may include soy-derived ingredients. Because formulas vary by product, we recommend checking the ingredient list on each product page.
It's very difficult to find ingredient suppliers that are certified soy-free.
Refer to our FAQ for a list of products that do contain soy.
Yes — withSimplicity products are made with skin-loving, clean ingredients and are generally considered safe for pregnancy.
There are some essential oils you should avoid during pregnancy, but this mainly applies to applying the oil on its own. We dilute all essential oils in carrier oils.
That said, every pregnancy is different, and some individuals may need to avoid certain ingredients based on personal sensitivities or medical guidance. If you have any concerns, we always recommend checking with your physician or healthcare provider before using new skincare or beauty products during pregnancy.