How to Clean Up Your Beauty Routine

In this post, I will be sharing my tips on How to Clean Up Your Beauty Routine. As well as, recommend some of the clean beauty brands you should try!

Those of you that have been reading my blog for a while know how much I love to take care of my skin. I’m always researching and testing to find the best of the best. However, when it comes to clean beauty, I am no expert and have only tipped toed my way around the industry.

I’ve always made it a point to know and research the ingredients in the foods I eat. But I will be honest and admit that when it came to skincare, I didn’t always do that and instead just base its effectiveness on performance and not how it was developed. Nevertheless, it’s never too late to start, and I plan on being more conscious of the products I use and recommend.

Clean beauty means a non-toxic product that is formulated without ingredients linked to harmful health effects from cancer, hormone disruptions and skin irritation. These toxic ingredients, to name a few, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, and propylene glycol, can be found in products we use every day like our face wash, shampoos, and moisturizer.

The personal care industry is effectively unregulated, with no government oversight, which means that companies are mostly free to do whatever they want. For instance, a product can label themselves as “clean,” In other words, what is publicized on the front in no way needs to match what lives on the ingredient label on the back. All this means is that it is up to the consumer (us) to inspect the ingredients in our personal care products.

First and foremost, do your research on the most common harmful ingredients found in our skincare products. Now with that information, read the ingredients that the products you already own have and identify the ones you need to clean up.

That said, understanding what the harmful ingredients are might involve some research. In that case, you can resort to googling or entering the brand name and or components through the Environmental Working Group skin deep database. The EWG’s database offers an ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown, score, and lists any potential concerns and sensitivities.

Once you feel more confident identifying ingredients to avoid, it’s important to consider your priorities when it comes to your beauty routine. Keeping in mind that these changes are up to you and not to get caught up just on the ingredient list. Especially since an ingredient that causes sensitivities in one’s complexion might be fine for another.

In conclusion, I wouldn’t recommend a complete overhaul, instead, I would start by swapping them one at a time, working your way through your vanity.

Once you have determined the products you want to replace (I would begin with ones you use more often) its time to start shopping.

The good news is that there are countless new and existing brands that continue to improve the retail space with revolutionary clean formulas. Meaning there’s never been a better time to shop for clean beauty. Find your new favorites by shopping and testing these products. With time and as you continue to read labels, and explore products, you will become an expert about the products you are consuming.

Below is a list of the clean brands I’ve had the opportunity to use and would recommend.

The idea behind Good Molecules is simple: skincare that works at a fair price. Founded by a team of beauty industry veterans, Good Molecules creates skincare solutions with best-in-class ingredients, backed by research and formulated for effectiveness. By working directly with top labs, Good Molecules offers products that target skin issues—like acne, redness, and hyperpigmentation—without the traditional retail markup. See a difference in your skin, starting at just $6.

 Drunk Elephant is committed to using only ingredients that either directly benefit the skin’s health or support the integrity and effectiveness of their formulations. They never take into account an ingredient’s synthetic or natural status, but instead choose based on biocompatibility. You won’t find what they call the “Suspicious 6” in their products (essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, SLS) making them, in their opinion, appropriate for all skin.

Caudalie is committed to creating the most effective, clean, natural, and sustainable skincare. The brand partners with Harvard Medical School to develop exclusive patents and highly effective formulas that are safe for the skin and the environment. Caudalie is the largest beauty contributor to 1% for the Planet and gives back 1% of its global sales towards reforestation.

Farmacy: Our foundation, our modus operandi. It represents our unwavering commitment to keeping our hands, conscience, and formulas CLEAN. That means formulating with only safe, skin-nourishing ingredients and banning those that may harm your skin (1,300+ banned ingredients and counting!), direct sourcing potent organic ingredients supporting local farms, and doing our best to preserve the earth and its resources. Read more HERE.

THE INKEY LIST’s aim is simple: break through beauty jargon to deliver a straightforward take on the most-wanted ingredients in skincare. The products contain as few ingredients as possible, all of the highest quality and at ‘give-it-a-go’ prices. Advanced skin care for the price of a couple of coffees? Who could refuse…

Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used in this post. If you purchase via my link I receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. It helps support my blog and I only recommend products and services that I use and love. Thank you for your support.

I hope that you find this post helpful on How to clean up your beauty routine and to be more aware of the ingredients in your beauty products.