YTTP gives back through their 1% for the Planet partnership, donating at least 1% of sales to environmental organizations and causes.
Brand Breakdown: Is Youth to the People a Clean Beauty Brand?
Discover if Youth to the People is actually a clean beauty brand and if we would recommend them based on their ingredient breakdown.
Background on Youth to the People
If you spend even a few minutes in the clean skincare world, you’ve probably heard the name Youth To The People (YTTP). Their glass-jars, superfood antioxidant cleansers and “Pro-Grade Vegan™” positioning have earned them a passionate following. But what do they actually claim about their ingredients? And how well do they hold up under scrutiny? Let’s examine what their mission is, their ingredient philosophy, and the trade-offs to watch – especially for clean-beauty lovers.
What YTTP Claims About their Ingredients
Their signature approach is to use botanical, antioxidant-rich “superfoods” (kale, spinach, green tea, etc.), often cold-pressed, alongside cosmetic science when necessary. Their founders have spoken about wanting the best from plants + science. RUSSH+2Medium+2
Ingredient Safety & Clean Beauty Labels
They avoid many of the commonly avoided “nasties” in clean beauty: parabens, phthalates, certain harsh sulfates, etc.
Breaking Down the Ingredients
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.
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
BM is also known as Avobenzone, which is a UV filter that is an endocrine disruptor and produces toxic by-products in swimming pool water. Avobenzone exhibits breakdown when exposed to UV radiation and it is shown to function as an obesogen.
Homosalate
Homosalate is a UV filter and has been found to increase estrogenic effects on human breast cancer cell lines.
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Butyloctyl Salicylate has been known to be an endocrine receptor binder. It is chemically structured similar to octisilate which is absorbed by the body and may effect human sperm function.
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
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
is a harmful surfactant that can potentially form harmful nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.
Sorbeth
is an ethoxylated ingredient and may contain the contaminants 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide which are carcinogenic.
Chlorphenesin
is a preservative in cosmetics that exhibits immunosuppressive activity.
Trideceth
is an ethoxylated ingredient that may contain contaminants 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide which are carcinogenic.
PEG-100
PEGs are manufactured with carcinogenic ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane whose traces may remain in the final product and are carcinogenic and associated with reproductive, developmental, and endocrine effects and DNA damage.
Going Beyond Beauty
Sustainability
YTTP uses glass packaging for many of its jars and bottles. They use post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic for some packaging, FSC-certified paper, recycled paper for cartons.
Giving Back
Cruelty Free/ Vegan
YTTP states it is 100% vegan. None of their products use animal-derived ingredients. They also claim cruelty-free status: no animal testing.
Certified Organic
YTTP is not certified organic but they do use organic ingredients in som of their botanicals.
Parent Company
YTTP was acquired by L’Oréal in December 2021.
Before the acquisition, they had raised funding from private equity / growth equity firms including Strand Equity, Sandbridge Capital, and investor Carisa Janes.
Manufactured
As for its manufacturing, publicly available sources suggest YTTP does some manufacturing and formulation in the U.S. (California), though details on whether all production is domestic or if they use contract manufacturers are less clear.
Final Rating:
While Youth To The People checks some “conscious brand” boxes—vegan, cruelty-free, sustainable packaging—their formulations contain multiple Dirty List ingredients that don’t meet OhDaisey’s clean-beauty standards.
Despite its aesthetic appeal and marketing around “superfoods,” Youth To The People is not a truly clean beauty brand under OhDaisey’s standards.
Consumers looking for non-toxic, EU-compliant, or low-contaminant skincare should explore alternatives that avoid ethoxylated ingredients, chemical sunscreens, and undisclosed fragrance blends.
We would NOT recommend this Brand.