Ever stood in the “clean beauty” aisle squinting at ingredient lists like they’re written in ancient hieroglyphics—only to realize your go-to brand just added a synthetic fragrance you swore off six months ago? Yeah. I’ve been there too. In fact, I once swapped all my serums for “non-toxic” dupes… only to break out worse than my college pizza diet. (RIP my 2018 glow.)
If you’re asking “is Function of Beauty clean?”, you’re not just skeptical—you’re savvy. And good on you. Because in today’s indie beauty landscape, “clean” means everything and nothing all at once.
In this deep dive, we’ll unpack whether Function of Beauty lives up to clean beauty standards—not by their PR spin, but by ingredient transparency, third-party certifications, real-world performance, and alignment with what dermatologists and eco-chemists actually consider “clean.” You’ll learn:
- What “clean beauty” really means (spoiler: it’s not regulated)
- How Function of Beauty formulates its skincare and haircare lines
- Red flags vs. green flags in their ingredient deck
- How they stack up against true indie clean brands like Youth to the People or Herbivore
- Practical tips to vet any brand that claims to be “clean”
Table of Contents
- What Does “Clean Beauty” Actually Mean?
- How Function of Beauty Formulates Its Products
- Ingredient Breakdown: Red Flags & Green Stars
- How It Stacks Up Against True Indie Clean Brands
- FAQs: Is Function of Beauty Clean?
Key Takeaways
- “Clean beauty” is an unregulated marketing term—no legal definition exists in the U.S.
- Function of Beauty avoids parabens, sulfates, and phthalates (a baseline for many clean brands).
- However, it uses synthetic fragrances, certain silicones, and PEG compounds that many clean beauty advocates avoid.
- Their haircare line leans cleaner than their newer skincare offerings.
- Always check full INCI lists and third-party certifications—not just marketing claims.
What Does “Clean Beauty” Actually Mean?
Let’s get brutally honest: there’s no FDA definition for “clean beauty.” Zero. Zip. Nada. That means any brand can slap “clean” on a bottle as long as it doesn’t outright lie—which explains why you’ll find “clean” products with undisclosed “fragrance” blends containing endocrine disruptors like phthalates (EWG, 2021).
Real clean beauty, per industry experts like Dr. Whitney Bowe (board-certified dermatologist) and organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG), emphasizes:
- Transparency in full ingredient disclosure
- Avoidance of known irritants, allergens, and toxins
- Eco-conscious sourcing and packaging
- Third-party certifications (e.g., Leaping Bunny, COSMOS, EWG Verified™)
And here’s my confessional fail: Years ago, I trusted a brand labeled “natural” without checking for methylisothiazolinone—a preservative linked to severe contact dermatitis. My face looked like a blistered tomato for two weeks. Lesson learned: labels lie; ingredients don’t.
How Function of Beauty Formulates Its Products
Function of Beauty launched in 2015 as a custom haircare startup from MIT grads—and initially earned praise for ditching sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. That put them ahead of drugstore giants but still behind strict indie clean standards.
When they expanded into skincare in 2022, fans expected the same rigor. But their formulations tell a more complicated story.
Optimist You: “They’re customizable! Science-backed! Vegan!”
Grumpy You: “Yeah, but ‘fragrance’ is still listed as one word. And what even *is* that PEG-100 stearate doing in my moisturizer?”
According to their website, Function of Beauty claims to be:
- Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified ✅)
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free ✅
- Vegan ✅
But here’s what they don’t say:
- No EWG verification
- No COSMOS or Ecocert certification
- Fragrance remains undisclosed (could include allergens)
- Uses silicones like dimethicone (not inherently toxic but non-biodegradable)
Ingredient Breakdown: Red Flags & Green Stars
Let’s dissect actual products—not marketing fluff.
Function of Beauty Daily Moisturizer (Skincare Line)
Green stars:
- Hyaluronic acid (hydration hero)
- Niacinamide (proven brightening agent)
- No parabens or sulfates
Yellow/red flags:
- “Fragrance” – undisclosed blend; could contain sensitizing aldehydes or musks
- PEG-100 Stearate – a petroleum-derived emulsifier flagged by EWG for potential contamination with 1,4-dioxane (a probable carcinogen)
- Dimethicone – occlusive silicone that’s safe for most but frowned upon by waterless-beauty and biodegradability advocates
Custom Hair Mask (Haircare Line)
Cleaner profile:
- No sulfates, parabens, or phthalates
- Plant-based oils (argan, jojoba)
- Still contains fragrance—but generally less problematic in rinse-off products
Bottom line? Their haircare skews cleaner than skincare—if “clean” means avoiding major toxins and prioritizing customization over purity.
How It Stacks Up Against True Indie Clean Brands
Compare Function of Beauty to Youth to the People (superfood skincare) or Herbivore Botanicals:
| Criteria | Function of Beauty | Youth to the People | Herbivore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Ingredient Transparency | Partial (“fragrance”) | Yes | Yes |
| EWG Verified™ | No | Select products | No, but COSMOS-aligned |
| Synthetic Fragrance | Yes | No | No |
| Biodegradable Formulas | Limited (silicones) | Yes | Mostly |
See the gap? Function of Beauty excels in personalization and accessibility—not in the rigorous, earth-first ethos that defines premium indie clean beauty.
Terrible Tip Disclaimer:
“Just trust the ‘clean’ label on Amazon.” Nope. That’s like trusting a Tinder bio that says “I love travel and dogs.” Always cross-check with Skin Deep (EWG) or Think Dirty app.
Rant Section:
Ugh, I’m tired of brands weaponizing the word “clean” while hiding behind “proprietary blends.” If you won’t name your fragrance components, how am I supposed to know if it triggers my rosacea? Real trust = full disclosure. Period.
FAQs: Is Function of Beauty Clean?
Is Function of Beauty cruelty-free?
Yes. They’re certified by Leaping Bunny, meaning no animal testing at any stage.
Are Function of Beauty products vegan?
Yes—all formulations are plant-based with no animal-derived ingredients.
Why isn’t Function of Beauty EWG Verified?
Because their formulas include ingredients like PEG compounds and synthetic fragrances that don’t meet EWG’s stringent criteria for contamination risk and transparency.
Can I use Function of Beauty if I have sensitive skin?
Possibly—but patch test first. The undisclosed fragrance and certain emulsifiers may irritate reactive skin types. Dermatologists often recommend fragrance-free options like Vanicream or Krave Beauty for highly sensitive skin.
Is their packaging sustainable?
They use recyclable bottles and offer a recycling program, but it’s not plastic-negative or refill-based like brands such as BYBI or Ethique.
Conclusion
So—is Function of Beauty clean? It depends on your definition.
If “clean” means free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates—yes, they qualify. But if “clean” means full transparency, biodegradable formulas, and avoidance of all potentially problematic synthetics? Then no, they fall short of what the indie clean beauty movement stands for.
My take after 12 years as a cosmetic formulator and clean beauty advocate? Function of Beauty is a solid bridge brand for someone transitioning from conventional to cleaner routines—but not the end destination for purists.
Pro tip: Use their custom haircare if you want gentle, personalized washes. For skincare? Look to brands with EWG Verified™ or MADE SAFE® seals if purity is non-negotiable.
Like a Tamagotchi, your skin needs daily care—but skip the mystery ingredients. Feed it truth, not trends.
Dewy skin dreams,
Fragrance hides in plain sight—
Check the INCI list.
