Beauty & Skincare

Curious About Clean Beauty? Everything You Need to Know to Make the Switch

plus, our favorite products!
written by GIANNA ALDANA

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Graphics by: Aryana Johnson
Graphics by: Aryana Johnson

It seems that all of the latest fashion and beauty trends revolve around the idea of achieving a so-called “clean girl” aesthetic. Whether it’s rocking quiet luxury style, going for an effortless makeup look, or living a minimal lifestyle, everyone has been hopping on the “clean girl” bandwagon (myself included). However, the more I thought about this trend, the more I began thinking about the term “clean.” This idea extends beyond just an aesthetic—if you want to get that effortless, clean makeup look, you’ll also want to be using the best clean beauty products. 

As I’ve grown into the beauty junkie that I am, I’ve slowly but surely made strides to swap out some of my beauty products with clean and sustainable alternatives, and I haven’t looked back. Trust me: I know how hard it can be to let go of your tried-and-true beauty go-tos and venture out to new products, but making the switch to clean beauty products really is worth it. Not only do I feel more at ease with what I’m putting on my face and body, but choosing these clean products also means being kinder to our planet.

We should think of clean beauty not just as a trend that will come and go, but rather, a continued conscious effort to choose products that are better for our overall well-being and the Earth. If you’re on the fence about making the switch to clean beauty, you’re at the right place. We’re breaking down the basics of what you need to know about clean beauty, how exactly to make the switch, and all of the best clean makeup, skincare, and haircare products to choose from.

Whether you’re a seasoned beauty guru or are just looking to expand your beauty collection, keep on reading—your body and the environment will thank you for it!

 

What is Clean Beauty? 

Clean beauty is a growing phenomenon of choosing beauty items that are derived from sustainable, non-toxic, and natural ingredients. The idea behind clean beauty is to create cosmetic products that not only perform their job, but are able to do so without harmful chemicals such as synthetic fragrances, sulfate, parabens, phthalates, and other harsh ingredients found in a lot of traditional beauty products.

There are several factors that go into making a beauty product “clean,” and knowing what to look for the next time you’re at Sephora or any beauty store will be better for your wallet and body long-term. Take a look at the list below to see what you should keep an eye out for when scoping out clean beauty products:

  • Natural, organic, and safe ingredients: Look for products that are labeled as safely tested in order to prevent skin irritation and harmful reactions. I tend to reach for products that are sourced from organic ingredients like plants or flowers because of their natural benefits and low impact on the environment.
  • Ethical sourcing: Before trying new products, I highly recommend spending a little bit of time researching a brand and how they source their products. Nowadays, it’s tempting to trust what beauty influencers are saying, but taking the time to learn about a brand and who they are should be something you do regularly. It’s essential to know how transparent a brand is in the production of their products, and this will only better your understanding of cosmetic products.
  • No animal testing: This is an obvious clean beauty must-have, but brands who practice cruelty-free testing earn major bonus points in my book. Cruelty-free testing means that these beauty products are never tested on animals during any stage of production.
  • Environmentally sustainable: I think this factor is one of the biggest reasons to purchase clean beauty products. Reaching for products that are intentionally made with eco-friendly ingredients and packaging and ethical sourcing methods is a great step toward making a difference in bettering our planet.

 

Benefits of Clean Beauty

As if a product made with natural ingredients wasn’t enough of a reason to switch to clean beauty, there are a plethora of other benefits. These go beyond your personal health and extend to the well-being of our planet. I, for one, feel more comfortable using clean products because they’re made with ingredients that are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that naturally carry their own beneficial properties. Plus, it’ll give you peace of mind knowing that clean products lower the risk of irritation and allergic reactions, while also reducing your exposure to potentially toxic ingredients long-term.

Beyond the physical benefits, using clean beauty items creates a positive impact outside of yourself. You’re not just supporting brands that are transparent about their ingredients, manufacturing process, and packaging, but you’re also endorsing the environmentally-friendly missions of these brands. Clean beauty won’t just offer you flawless makeup looks or voluptuous hair, it will also allow you to have a more mindful approach when it comes to makeup, skincare, and haircare.

 

How to Make the Switch

Choosing to transition to clean beauty is a personal journey, and therefore, will be different for every individual. Start by educating yourself and prioritizing what you value in a brand and their line of products. Also, a company’s definition of clean may differ from yours, so take the time to know what exactly you’re looking for. From there, read through a product’s ingredient list, look at labels, and search for products that align with your body’s needs. This process doesn’t happen overnight—to make it less daunting, it’s OK to start small.

Go through products you own now and slowly start to swap them out with alternative products that aim to provide the same benefits (just without the harmful chemicals). It can also be helpful to ask a friend or family member to be your clean beauty buddy, as this can allow you to explore recommendations, learn from one another, and help keep yourself accountable. My biggest piece of advice is to be patient with yourself and enjoy the process of finding new products to add to your beauty routine. There’s no better feeling than knowing you’re making the choice to take care of yourself, while also taking care of the world around you.

 

Clean Beauty Products 

 

Skincare 

I stand by the fact that a solid skincare routine is the key to feeling glowy and confident from the inside out. I might even go as far as to say that skincare prep is the most important step in any beauty routine. During this step, your skin is able to absorb active ingredients to help nourish, correct, and protect your skin’s natural barrier. With that in mind, you want to be conscious of what you’re feeding your skin, and what better way to do so than with clean skincare items you know you can trust? 

biossance vitamin c oil
Biossance
Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Firmin Oil

If there's one thing you should add to your skincare regimen, it's this Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. Crafted with clean ingredients, it's an all-in-one serum that will visibly brighten, firm, and hydrate your skin.

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glow recipe melting balm
Glow Recipe
Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleaning Balm & Makeup Remover
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kora face cleanser
KORA Organics
Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser
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tatcha cleanser
Tatcha
The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser
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farmacy toner
Farmacy
Brighten Up Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid
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merit skin serum
Merit
Instant Glow Serum with Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid
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skinfix face serum
Skinfix
Triple Lipid + Collagen + Niacinamide Activating Serum
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drunk elephant moisturizer
Drunk Elephant
Lalo Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides
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farmacy moisturizer
Farmacy
Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer
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peptide eye cream
Youth to The People
Peptides + C Energy Eye Concentrate
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supergoop sunscreen
Supergoop!
Glowscreen SPF 40 Sunscreen
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skinfix eye cream
Skinfix
Triple Lipid + Collagen Brightening Eye Treatment
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lawless lip mask
Lawless
Forget the Filler Overnight Lip Plumping Mask
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Makeup 

Gone are the days when we assumed that clean makeup is less effective than our usual makeup products. It’s not too good to be true: You really can achieve the perfect makeup look without having to sacrifice quality and safety. The last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your go-to makeup contains harmful ingredients, so take this as your sign to invest in a routine filled with clean products. 

haus lab foundation
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga
Triclone Skin Tech Foundation

This clean foundation recently made its debut, and we couldn't be more obsessed. It's a medium-coverage foundation that's formulated with over 20+ nourishing skincare ingredients and aims to reduce redness and protect your skin from environmental stress.

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milk hydro grip primer
Milk Makeup
Hydro Grip Hydrating Milk Primer
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saie tinted moisturizer
Saie
Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35
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ilia concealer
Ilia
True Skin Serum Concealer with Vitamin C
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clean concealer
Kulfi
Crease-Proof Long-Wear Hydrating Concealer
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summer fridays cream blush
Summer Fridays
Blush Balm + Lip Cheek Stick
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merit beauty clean blush
Merit
Flush Balm Cream Blush
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lawless powder
Lawless
Skin Smoothing Talc-Free Perfecting Powder
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all-in-one face palette
Caliray
Endless Sunset Face and Eyeshadow Palette
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ilia eyeshadow
Ilia
The Necessary Eyeshadow Palette
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ilia mascara
Ilia
Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara
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kosas eyebrow gel
Kosas
Air Brow Tinted Clean Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
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merit lipstick
Merit
Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick
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Haircare 

When we think of clean beauty, we don’t typically think of haircare items, but we should. We’re all guilty of doing some damage to our hair at some point, but do yourself a favor and treat your luscious locks to a few clean haircare items. If you use heat, notice breakage, have color-treated hair, or experience any other hair concerns, it’s time to consider implementing clean hair products into your regimen. Ever since I personally made the switch to clean haircare products, I’ve noticed a huge difference in my overall hair health. 

shampoo and conditioner bar
Viori
Shampoo and Conditioner Set

A sustainable and reputable company, Viori's mission is to create highly effective, safe, and all-natural products. Their shampoo and conditioner bars target dryness, split ends, breakage, and oily scalps. The best part? It's perfect for all hair types.

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hair oil
Ceramonia
Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil
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scalp serum
Nécessaire
The Scalp Serum
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necessaire shampoo
Nécessaire
The Shampoo
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k18 leave in conditioner
K18
Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
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amika hair mask
Amika
Soulfood Nourishing Mask
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dae hair mask
Dae
Stargloss Shine Hair Gloss Treatment
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dae leave in conditioner
Dae
Agave Dry Heat Protection & Holding Mist
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amika dry shampoo
Amika
Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo
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