From Harm to Healing: Ditching synthetic colours for Clean Beauty

As the world comes together on June 5th for World Environment Day, we’re reminded that sustainability is not just about what we consume, it’s also about what we apply to our bodies, and what ultimately gets washed down the drain.

In a world where appearances matter, vibrant hues in skincare and personal care products often captivate us. That soft pink lotion, that ocean-blue face wash, they may look appealing, but what lies beneath is a silent threat: synthetic colours.

This year, as the focus shifts toward “Our Land. Our Future.”, it’s time to look beneath the surface of skincare - quite literally and examine the synthetic colours that silently impact our skin, our health, and our planet.

While often overlooked, the long-term effects of synthetic dyes in cosmetics and skincare are now under the scanner, not just for their harmful impact on our skin and health, but also for the lasting environmental damage they leave behind.

Synthetic colours, also labeled as FD&C (Food, Drugs & Cosmetics) or D&C (Drugs & Cosmetics) followed by a colour and number (like Red 40 or Blue 1), are petroleum-derived and processed with heavy metals and coal tar. Their only purpose? To make products more visually attractive.

While they add in aesthetics, they compromise in safety.

Let’s be clear - our skin is not a canvas for chemical experimentation. These artificial additives serve no therapeutic purpose, but they do carry long-term risks.
Here’s why these artificial hues are more damaging than delightful:

Synthetic dyes are one of the top allergens in personal care. Studies reveal that over 10% of contact dermatitis cases are linked to artificial coloring agents.¹

Some synthetic colours, particularly Red 33, Yellow 5, and Blue 1, are suspected to act as endocrine disruptors, potentially affecting hormonal balance over prolonged use.²

Colorants derived from coal tar have shown mutagenic properties in lab studies.³ While many harmful ones are banned in the EU, several are still permitted in markets like the US and Asia with limited oversight.

The damage doesn’t end with your skin. Once washed off, synthetic colours enter water systems, becoming non-biodegradable pollutants.

• A 2022 study by the European Chemicals Agency reported that over 5,000 tons of cosmetic dyes enter aquatic ecosystems annually, leading to toxicity in fish and disruption in marine biodiversity.⁴
• These colorants often bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms, disrupting food chains and potentially impacting human health through seafood consumption.

At Mea Bloom, our philosophy is rooted in the belief that beauty should never come at the cost of your well-being or the planet’s. Sustainability isn’t an afterthought for us. It is our foundation.

That’s why we have made a firm commitment to keep all synthetic colours out of our formulations.

• We embrace natural hues from plant-based botanicals, fruit extracts, and mineral clays (wherever needed).
• Each product is crafted to be as visually honest as it is effective, no misleading colours, no hidden chemicals.
• Our packaging transparently highlights every single ingredient, so you know what you’re putting on your skin.

Our commitment to clean colour is just one pillar of our broader sustainability initiatives, which include:

• Biodegradable formulations
• Minimalist, recyclable packaging
• Conscious sourcing from ethical suppliers

By choosing Mea Bloom, you’re not only protecting your skin, but also joining a conscious movement towards a healthier planet.

Beyond Clean Beauty: Our World Environment Day Commitment

The beauty industry has glamorized synthetic colours for too long. But real wellness, the kind that lasts, is never about appearances alone.

A Personal Invitation from Mea Bloom

At Mea Bloom, we invite you to look deeper. Because the future of skincare isn’t artificial, it’s authentic, safe, and sustainable.

This is more than a product philosophy, it’s a conscious lifestyle. Step into skincare that doesn’t just care for your skin, but also heals & cares with intention.

This World Environment Day, choose skincare that heals you and honors the Earth.

1. American Contact Dermatitis Society, 2020 Clinical Reports

2. Environmental Working Group (EWG) Database, 2023

3. International Journal of Toxicology – Synthetic Dye Safety Review, 2019

4. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Cosmetic Pollutants Report, 2022

Explore the Mea Bloom range of clean, colour-free formulations here.

Join our sustainability journey here.