iS Clinical has participated in charitable initiatives and philanthropic efforts, including support for medical, skin health, and community-focused organizations. However, there is no major standalone charity program or annual giving platform widely promoted on their website.
Brand Breakdown: Is iS Clinical a Clean Beauty Brand?
Discover if iS Clinical is actually a clean beauty brand and if we would recommend them based on their ingredient breakdown.
Background on iS Clinical
Cosmedix has been a staple in professional skincare for decades, known for its clinical formulas, aesthetician-backed approach, and reputation in spas and dermatologist offices. But when it comes to clean beauty, does Cosmedix truly measure up to the standards many clean-beauty shoppers expect? Let’s take a closer look.
What iS Clinical Claims About their Ingredients
Founded in 1999 by estheticians for estheticians, Cosmedix set out to create skincare that delivers results without irritation, pairing advanced actives with botanicals and gentle technologies. The brand markets itself as “clean, clinical, and luxurious,” with a focus on skin health.
Cosmedix has even been described in press announcements as a clean beauty company – emphasizing gentle, cruelty-free products that avoid commonly criticized ingredients.
Breaking Down the Ingredients
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
is a surfactant that is asociated with allergies and contact dermatitis. It could contain the prescence of 3,3-dimethylamino-propylamine and fatty acid amidopropyl dimethylamine which are impurities. CAPB has potential to form nitrosamines which are carcinogenic.
Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that’s used in skincare products to prevent bacteria growth. It is an ethoxyllated ingredients which means it can contain carcinogenic contaminate 1.4-dioxane and residual ethylene oxide. Studies have shown it may affect ovarian function as well.
Laureth
is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivative that is used as a surfactant . It is an ethoxylated ingredient that can contain 1.4-dioxane and residual ethylene oxide which are carcinogenic.
PEG-30/100/8/7
Polyethylene glycols enhance the penetration of other ingredients such as 1.4-dioxane and ethylene oxide which are carcinogenic and associated with reproductive, developmental, and endocrine effects and DNA damage.
Alcohol Denat
is an alcohol that has been cut or denatured with another substance to render it as unfit for consumption. Different chemicals may be used to denature the alcohol which could be undisclosed and prove threat to the endocrine system or be carcinogenic.
Aminomethyl Propanol
is used as a ph adjuster and fragrance ingredient. It can be used contaminated with secondary amines and form nitrosamines which are carcinogenic.
Polysorbate
Polysorbates are ethoxylated ingredients that may contain 1.4-dioxane and ethylene oxide. These contaminants are carcinogenic and can contribute to reproductive, developmental, and endocrine effects, as well as DNA damage.
Ceteareth-20
is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivative that is used as a surfactant . It is an ethoxylated ingredient that can contain 1.4-dioxane and residual ethylene oxide which are carcinogenic.
Disodium/ Trisodium /Tetrasodium EDTA
is used as a chelating agent in cosmetics and is also a penetration enhancer which can cause an increase in chemical penetrations. Oral exposures to EDTA produce adverse and developmental effects in animals.
Triethanolamine
is a type of ethanolamine that acts as a stabilizer. It can form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic when reacting with nitrosating agents either in the formula or airborne.
Blue 1 (CI 42090)
are petroleum or coal-tar derived colorants that are subject to FDA certification in the US. They may be contaminated with heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are carcinogenic.
Fragrance / Limonene / Linalool
Fragrance is usually a combination of numerous ingredients, some of which can be allergenic and endocrine disruptive especially those like Citronellol, Geraniol, or Linalool if they are not derived from pure essential oils. Also, phthalates are likely to be present. There are several different phthalates and some of them are possible carcinogens and hormone disruptors such as styrene.
Polyacrylamide
is made of acrylamide which is a carcinogen.
Petrolatum
is derived from petroleum and can contain toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons if not properly refined.
Octinoxate
is a UVB filter that is an endocrine disruptor, it also degrades rapidly when exposed to UV light and produces toxic photoproducts.
Going Beyond Beauty
Sustainability
iS Clinical does touch on sustainability in some areas, such as responsible sourcing and professional-grade manufacturing standards, but it does not feature a comprehensive, dedicated sustainability program or section prominently outlined on its brand site, as some other beauty companies do.
Giving Back
Cruelty Free/ Vegan
iS Clinical is generally regarded as cruelty-free, meaning it does not test on animals, and its products are sold in markets where animal testing is not required by law.
That said, not all products are vegan, as some formulations may contain animal-derived ingredients.
Certified Organic
iS Clinical is not certified organic.
Parent Company
Yes, iS Clinical is owned by Innovative Skincare, a company focused on developing clinically advanced skincare products for professional and consumer markets. The brand is positioned within the medical-grade and professional skincare space.
Manufactured
iS Clinical is manufactured in house in Burbank, CA.
Final Rating:
iS Clinical does not mean any Oh Daisey standards as every products except for the Tri-Active Exfoliating Masque and the PerfectTint Powder SPF 40 contain ingredients we would not be comfortable using.
We would NOT recommend the brand at this time.