An Integrative Review of the Definitions, Components, and Industry Standards of Clean Beauty in Korea

This study aims to clarify the conceptual definition of “clean beauty,” which has emerged as a core paradigm in the global cosmetics industry, and to systematically examine its key components. Despite the rapid growth of the clean beauty market, conceptual fragmentation persists in the absence of an official or legal definition; therefore, this study conducted an integrative review of domestic and international laws and regulations, academic literature, and industry-level operational standards, including retailer criteria and certification systems. The results synthesized fragmented definitions of clean beauty into three core axes—safety, sustainability, and ethicality—which were subsequently examined across legal, academic, and industrial dimensions. First, an analysis of legal and regulatory systems in major jurisdictions indicated that clean beauty is indirectly regulated through ingredient management and labeling and advertising requirements. Second, an analysis of previous studies showed that early definitions centered on the exclusion of harmful ingredients have expanded into a broader concept encompassing sustainable production and consumption. Third, an analysis of industry practice demonstrated that retailer-specific certifications and private verification systems have proactively shaped de facto operational standards, although challenges to standardization remain due to differences in verification stringency among stakeholders. This study contributes by integrating fragmented legal, academic, and industrial standards of clean beauty to propose a systematic conceptual framework. The findings are expected to serve as foundational data for the future establishment of institutional standards in the domestic clean beauty market and to inform corporate strategic responses.