Warm-up

Answer quickly. No right or wrong answers.

Do you pay attention to what ingredients are in beauty or skincare products?

Do you think products labeled "natural" are automatically safer?

Does advertising influence which cosmetics you buy?

Vocabulary

Essential (A1–B1)

cosmetic – a product used to make your face, skin, or body look or feel better
Example: She uses several cosmetics every morning.

chemical – a substance used in or produced by a scientific or industrial process
Example: Some chemicals can be harmful to people.

harmful – likely to cause damage or injury
Example: Too much exposure to certain substances can be harmful.

label – information printed on a product that tells you what it contains or how to use it
Example: Always read the label before using a new product.

ingredient – one of the substances used to make a food, medicine, or product
Example: Check the ingredients before buying skincare products.

Developed (B2–C2)

contradict – to state or indicate the opposite of something previously claimed
Example: Laboratory results appeared to contradict the company's claims.

manufacturing – the industrial process of producing goods, usually using machinery
Example: Some chemicals may enter products during manufacturing.

packaging – the materials and process used to protect and present products for sale
Example: Researchers believe some substances may enter products during packaging.

undisclosed – not revealed or made known to consumers
Example: The investigation discovered several undisclosed chemicals.

misleading – likely to give people an incorrect idea or impression
Example: Some consumers argued that the product's advertising was misleading.

contamination – the presence of an unwanted or harmful substance in something
Example: Researchers believe contamination may occur during production.

Reading

Introduction

"Many consumers choose beauty products that are described as natural, pure, or clean. However, new research suggests that some products may contain chemicals that are not listed on their labels. Read the text and focus on why this could be a problem."

(Read at your level. Do not translate every word.)

Article (All Levels)

"Clean beauty" is becoming popular. Many people choose products that are called natural or free from certain chemicals.

However, a new study found that many personal care products contained chemicals that were not listed on their labels. Some of these chemicals may be harmful to health.

The researchers tested products such as shampoos, sunscreens, baby products, and cleaning products. They found that some products contained substances that did not match what the labels or companies promised.

Developed Article (B1–C2)

The growing popularity of "clean beauty" has encouraged consumers to look for products marketed as natural, pure, or free from specific chemicals. However, new research suggests that product labels may not always provide a complete picture of what consumers are actually exposed to.

Researchers tested 113 personal care and cleaning products and found that 98% contained at least one chemical that was not listed on the label. In 85% of the products, they identified at least one substance that could potentially be harmful to health.

The findings also raised concerns about potentially misleading marketing claims. Some products advertised as completely natural contained man-made chemicals, while others labeled as free from specific substances contained those same substances. Researchers suggested that some of these chemicals may result from contamination during manufacturing or packaging, rather than being deliberately added.

The study therefore highlights the importance of more comprehensive testing and greater transparency. Consumers should have access to accurate information about what they are putting on their skin or bringing into their homes.

Comprehension Check

(Answer based on your level.)

A1–A2

1. What type of products did the researchers test?

2. Did all the chemicals appear on the product labels?

3. Can some chemicals be harmful?

B1–B2

1. Why are some consumers interested in "clean beauty" products?

2. What did researchers discover when they tested the products?

3. Why might some hidden chemicals have entered the products?

C1–C2

1. Why do the findings challenge the reliability of "clean" beauty marketing?

2. How could manufacturing and packaging contribute to undisclosed chemicals in consumer products?

3. Why is greater transparency important when consumers make decisions about personal care products?

Speaking

(Choose a question level.)

A1–A2 — Foundation

Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.

(Answer + 1 reason)

"I think ___ because ___."

"I usually buy ___ because ___."

"I worry about ___ because ___."

"I prefer ___ because ___."

Personal Questions

1. Do you use cosmetics or skincare products?

2. Do you read product labels?

3. Do you check the ingredients before buying something?

4. Do you prefer natural products?

5. Do you trust beauty advertisements?

6. What skincare product do you use most?

7. Do you think cosmetics are expensive?

8. Do you try new beauty products often?

9. Do you worry about harmful chemicals?

10. Do you have a daily skincare routine?

11. Do you prefer simple or complicated products?

12. Where do you usually buy cosmetics?

13. Do you ask other people for beauty advice?

14. Do you follow beauty trends?

15. What makes you trust a cosmetic product?

B1–B2 — Expansion

Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.

(Answer + reason + 2 details)

"I feel ___ because ___; for example, ___ and ___."

"One concern is ___, which affects ___ and ___."

"I am careful about ___ because ___; in particular, ___ and ___."

"This makes consumers feel ___, especially when ___ and ___."

Personal Questions

1. Why do people choose products labeled as natural or clean?

2. How important are product ingredients when you go shopping?

3. Do you think cosmetic companies are transparent enough?

4. How much do advertisements influence your purchasing decisions?

5. Why might consumers trust products labeled "natural"?

6. How can misleading advertising affect consumers?

7. Do you think cosmetic products should be tested more carefully?

8. How important is packaging when you choose a product?

9. Would you pay more for a product with transparent ingredients?

10. How can social media influence beauty and skincare trends?

11. Do influencers have too much influence over cosmetic purchases?

12. How difficult is it for ordinary consumers to understand ingredient lists?

13. Should companies be responsible for chemicals that enter products during manufacturing?

14. What could governments do to make cosmetic products safer?

15. Do you think consumers have enough information to make informed choices?

C1–C2 — Depth & Reflection

Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.

(Reason + multiple details + consequence or reflection)

"I believe ___ because ___; for instance, ___, ___, and ___; as a result, ___."

"One significant concern is ___, which influences ___ and ___; however, ___."

"I am skeptical of ___ because ___, including ___ and ___; this ultimately leads to ___."

"I think consumers should ___ because ___, particularly considering ___ and ___; ultimately, ___."

Personal Questions

1. To what extent should consumers trust claims such as "natural," "clean," and "chemical-free"?

2. How can misleading beauty marketing influence consumer behaviour?

3. Should companies be legally required to disclose every substance detected in their products?

4. How realistic is it for ordinary consumers to make fully informed decisions about chemical exposure?

5. Who should bear responsibility when undisclosed chemicals are discovered in consumer products?

6. Could stricter regulation of cosmetics significantly improve public health?

7. How does the popularity of "clean beauty" reflect broader attitudes towards science and chemicals?

8. Why might consumers perceive natural products as safer despite limited evidence?

9. How should companies distinguish between deliberately added ingredients and accidental contamination?

10. Could increased regulation make beauty products significantly more expensive?

11. How does social media contribute to unrealistic expectations about beauty and skincare?

12. Is transparency more important than convenience when it comes to consumer products?

13. Should companies be allowed to use vague marketing language if their products technically meet legal requirements?

14. How might greater scientific literacy change the way people evaluate cosmetic products?

15. In your view, what would a genuinely trustworthy beauty industry look like?