Have you ever stood in the beauty aisle, reading skin care labels and wishing you had a chemistry degree so you’d understand those long lists of ingredients that look more suited to a lab manual than your bathroom cabinet? What goes into our skin care matters — these ingredients interact with our largest organ and can affect our overall health and wellness. But that doesn’t mean you should have to be Madame Marie Curie to read a label.
“We knew that really good, well-performing natural products can yield the same results,” says Amber Olson Rourke, Neora co-founder. “It just takes time.” This insight came from her experience running a med spa, where she saw firsthand how harsh treatments affected clients, many of whom sought quick fixes but dealt with irritation, sensitivity, and other side effects from aggressive ingredients.
The shift toward clean beauty reflects growing consumer awareness about ingredient safety. But with terms like “natural,” “clean,” and “nontoxic” appearing on countless products, understanding what these claims really mean becomes crucial for making informed choices.
Neora’s ‘Never-Use List’
Neora’s approach to clean beauty goes beyond basic industry standards. “We pride ourselves on having a never-use list that far exceeds those of many big-name cosmetic brands,” Olson Rourke explains. This commitment shows in their careful ingredient selection process, which begins with understanding how they interact with the skin’s natural functions.
The skin’s barrier plays a vital role in protecting our bodies from environmental stressors while maintaining proper hydration. Many common skin care ingredients can disrupt this delicate balance. Harsh surfactants strip natural oils, while certain preservatives might trigger sensitivities or allergic reactions. Some ingredients even make skin more vulnerable to sun damage or premature aging.
Consider Neora’s choice of marine collagen over the more commonly used bovine version. “Marine collagen is way more expensive, harder to get. It’s got a lot more guidelines because you also have to consider the welfare of marine life,” says Olson Rourke. While this decision impacts costs, it aligns with Neora’s focus on both quality and sustainability. Marine collagen also offers superior bioavailability, meaning the skin can better utilize its benefits.
Amber Olson Rourke: ‘We Take Our Time’
Clean beauty doesn’t mean compromising on effectiveness. Take SIG-1273, one of Neora’s signature ingredients. Named for the 1,273 iterations required to perfect its formula, it demonstrates how natural skin care can deliver results through proper research and development. This level of dedication to formulation shows that creating effective, clean products requires patience and scientific rigor.
“We take our time with products, we take our time with the development, and that’s why we don’t have 50 products in our 12 years,” notes Olson Rourke. This measured approach allows Neora to create formulas that work without relying on questionable ingredients. Rather than rushing to market with trendy components or quick fixes, they focus on proven solutions that support skin health.
The company’s commitment extends to its testing processes. Each product undergoes thorough evaluation and third-party clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy. “We are very transparent in our business practices and how we formulate our products,” Olson Rourke states. This transparency extends to being upfront about what ingredients they choose not to use.
Seasonal Differences
Understanding your products becomes especially important during seasonal changes. Winter’s harsh conditions can make skin more sensitive and reactive, while summer’s increased sun exposure requires extra attention to protective ingredients. Clean formulations help maintain skin health year-round without introducing potentially harmful substances.
For those new to clean beauty, starting small makes the transition manageable. Begin by examining the products you use daily, like cleansers and moisturizers. Look for brands that clearly list their ingredients and explain their formulation choices. Consider how products make your skin feel beyond immediate results — proper skin health shows in long-term benefits, not just quick fixes.
By prioritizing plant-based ingredients and avoiding harsh chemicals, Neora shows that skin care can be clean and effective. Although its development process might take more time and resources, the results speak for themselves — healthy, glowing skin without the worry of harmful ingredients.
Companies like Neora lead the way by maintaining high standards for their formulations while educating customers about the importance of ingredient choices. This combination of quality products and consumer education helps everyone make better decisions about their skin care routines.
