Clean beauty and skincare products

 

These days, consumers are growing increasingly conscious about which products they spend their hard-earned dollars on. They are getting savvier about the products they put on their skin and the impact the packaging and ingredients have on the environment. More and more people are now looking for more natural options that aren’t laden with a bunch of potentially harmful ingredients - and the market is responding. 

There are a plethora of brands that offer clean beauty and skincare products. Sephora, one of the biggest beauty behemoth retailers out there, has a dedicated section “Clean at Sephora”. 

But what does “clean” mean? 

Ironically, the term "clean beauty" is rather muddy. Many brands advertise their products as "clean" to denote that they don’t contain certain unsafe ingredients like parabens and talc. However, the problem is that the beauty industry is largely unregulated, and basically anything can be called “clean”. So it’s common for brands to include potentially unsafe ingredients in their products. 

Ingredients to avoid

Because the industry is largely unregulated, it’s up to consumers to do their research when it comes to purchasing products. Here is a list of common harmful ingredients to be on the lookout for:

• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Chemical sunscreens 
• Sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate
• Silicones
• Polyethylene or polypropylene (microbeads)
• Artificial fragrances 
• Formaldehyde 
• Refined pretzeling 
• Aluminum compounds
• Hydroquinone
• Talc
• Mineral oil
• Toluene 
• PEG
• Triclosan
• Oxybenzone

Two great non-profit sources to consult when doing your research are Made Safe Hazard List and the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep database.

The one potential drawback with clean products is potency and efficacy, truly natural beauty products don't include synthetic ingredients. So it’s important to do your research and look into whether certain products will work with your skin type. We helped round up some of our favorite clean beauty brands and products to get you started on your clean journey. 

Clean brands and their products

Vintner’s Daughter’s Active Treatment Essence

This cult-favorite and powerhouse of an essence is packed full of good-for-your-skin botanicals to firm, brighten, and soothe. It's pricey but reviewers swear it’s worth every single cent. 

Summer Fridays’ CC Me Vitamin C Serum

This vitamin C serum gives skin an instant boost of radiance while brightening and helping to combat hyperpigmentation over time.

Biossance’s Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum 

Biossance’s night serum does double duty as a super hydrating moisturizer and highly effective (but gentle) resurfacer lactic acid. 

Tata Harper’s Boosted Contouring Eye Balm

Tata Harper is probably one of the founding members of the clean beauty space. Gentle on sensitive skin, this eye cream works to soften fine lines and hydrate the delicate skin around your eyes. 

Supergoop! Dailyscreen Moisturizer SPF 40

This sunscreen repeatedly sells out and for good reason. It’s lightweight, doesn't clog up or grease pores, and most importantly, doesn’t leave that dreaded white “cast” that sunscreens of days past do. 

Nécessaire’s The Body Serum

Nécessaire’s products are the epitome of minimalistic: the products are a no-frills way and get right down to business. This body serum is great on its own but can be used to amplify your body lotion - and it doesn’t feel sticky to boot!

I Love My Muff’s Muff Care Kit

This Muff care kit has everything you need to keep clean, hydrated, and moisturize down there or on the go: Gentle pH balanced cleanser, refreshing spray, moisturizing lotion, and handy wipes. Formulated with vegan, plant-based ingredients, the products are designed to be gentle on your most sensitive skin.

Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

Ilia's Skin Tint is one of the most hard-working beauty products out there. It's a foundation and hydrating serum all in one. It feels lightweight but provides great overall coverage so a little bit goes a long way with this serum. 

Briogeo’s Be Gentle, Be Kind Mega Moisture Superfood Mask 

Our tresses need some TLC once in a while to recover from the daily ordeals that we put it through. Enter Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Mega Moisture Superfood Mask. This mask helps quench dry strands with nourishing avocado oil. 

Youth to the People’s Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream 

The texture might be whipped and weightless, but don’t be fooled - this cream is jam-packed with those good leafy ingredients such as spinach and kale that help restore, balance, and moisturize your skin.

Éminence Organic’s Skin Care’s Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot

This nourishing antioxidant mask helps control breakouts, as well as improves hydration, elasticity, and signs of aging. The pinch of paprika gives your skin a healthy flush.

Golde’s Papaya Bright Face Mask

Packed to the brim with superfoods like papaya and sea buckthorn berries, as well as vitamin C, this powder face mask can be mixed with water or your favorite facial oil for a touch of radiance to your skin.

Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform

Much lauded in the retinol space, Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform is a creamy serum that absorbs quickly and distributes slowly, helping to prevent any inflammation and usual peeling that comes with using retinols.

Grown Alchemist’s Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser 

This cleanser has the creamiest texture and is formulated with a blend of antioxidant-rich olive leaf extract, yarrow extract, Vitamin B, and zinc. Bonus: it doubles as a makeup remover too!

 

We hope you've found something on this list that interests you. 

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