Clean Skincare Routine

Over the past few months, I’ve been actively trying to switch out the beauty products I’ve used for years (that were filled with Parabens, Phthalates, and Synthetic dyes) to cleaner and safer options. As you may have read from my previous post on sustainable and non-toxic products, this is something that I’ve recently become very passionate about. I’ll admit, I’m no expert, but I’m working on it… one product at a time.

I didn’t want to throw out all of my skincare products and start from scratch, so as my tried and true skincare lineup slowly ran out, I decided to take a deeper look into their ingredients. I did this through the Think Dirty and EWG apps to see what clean beauty rating they received (0 = best rating, 10 = worst rating). If anything was above a 5, I decided I could do better. As you know, whatever you put on your skin goes directly into your bloodstream, and while it seems a bit crazy to think there are unsafe products on Sephora’s shelves, it’s a reality. The FDA’s regulations on the safety of personal care products hasn’t been updated since the 1930s. So, since they’re not doing their job, I thought it was time to take things into my own hands.

I’d love to hear what clean beauty and skincare products you’re loving these days. I still have a lot to tackle — like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and makeup — but hey, you have to start somewhere!

Body Wash,

Exfoliator,

& Body Lotion

THEN: Cerave Moisturizing lotion for normal to dry skin (Clean Beauty Rating 8), Jo Malone Vitamin E Body Treatment Scrub (Clean Beauty Rating: 8), and Method Body Wash Simply Nourish (Clean Beauty Rating: 8)

NOW: Necessaire The Body Exfoliator, The Body Wash, and The Body Lotion (Clean Beauty Rating: 3)

I recently switched to Necessaire because let’s face it, the packaging is amazing and I kept getting served ads through my IG feed. That said, after using it for a few weeks, I couldn’t be happier with the switch. And I love that they offer fragrance-free as well as Eucalyptus scents! Certainly lives up to the hype.

Vitamin C Serum

THEN: Isdinceutics Flavo-C Ultraglican 30 ampoules (Clean Beauty Rating: 6)

NOW: Summer Friday CC Me Vitamin C Serum (Clean Beauty Rating: 3)

At this point, if you’re a skincare lover, you know that Vitamin C is so important for your daily regimen. I recently switched over to the Summer Friday CC Serum as the one I was using started to irritate my skin. I looooove the smell of Vitamin C Serums, and the amazing glow it gives my skin. I always feel much brighter and more awake after my skin soaks this up.

Face Mask

THEN: Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask Instant Youth (Clean Beauty Rating: 5)

NOW: bareMinerals Dirty Detox Skin Glowing and Refining Mud Mask (Clean Beauty Rating: 2)

This mineral-rich, beautifying face mask gives your skin a fresh, ridiculously healthy looking glow. I use this 1x a week, right after I get out of a steaming hot shower. My good friend works for bareMinerals and gave this to me as a gift. I look forward to the nights where I can put on my robe along with this face mask and totally relax. And I love the tagline, “To get super clean, you’ve got to get a little dirty.” It really does feel like you’re putting mud on your face!

Facial Cleanser

Then: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser (Clean Beauty Rating: 8)

Now: Elta MD Foaming Facial Cleanser (Clean Beauty Rating: 4)

EltaMD's Foaming Facial Cleanser is an oil-free, pH-balanced formula that gently cleanses without irritating or drying your skin. My good friend (and dermatologist) picked this one out for me after I told her I was looking for a Paraben-free cleanser. It leaves my skin feeling so super smooth and clean.

Self Tanner (Body)

Then: St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse (Clean Beauty Rating: 8)

Now: Lux Unfiltered (Clean Beauty Rating: 3)

I’m about to make a BIG statement... This is the best self tanner I’ve ever used. It’s completely hydrating to your skin, easy to apply, buildable, non-transferring, and leaves the most natural-looking color and glow. AND it’s much safer than almost all other self tanners on the market. You could easily use this everyday like a normal hydrating lotion. Five stars from me!

Deodorant

Then: Degree Deodorant (Clean Beauty Rating: 8)

Now: Native Lavender & Rose Deodorant (Clean Beauty Rating: 0)

YAY! The first zero clean beauty rating product in my medicine cabinet, and one of my favorites. I switched to Native Deodorant over a year ago and couldn’t be happier. They are simple, safe, and effective. I use Lavender & Rose, which has a clean herbal scent, with a lush lavender top note and subtle accents of rose and geranium. (Note: I will admit in the Summer, I usually have to apply 2x/day.)

Hand Soap

Then: Bath & Body Works Foaming Hand Soap (Clean Beauty Rating: 8)

Now: Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash (Clean Beauty Rating: 4)

Absolutely love this hand soap. With a gentle formulation containing oils of Orange, Rosemary and Lavender, it effectively cleanses without drying your hands out.

Self Tanner (Face)

Then: L’oreal Sublime Bronze (Clean Beauty Rating: 8)

Now: Tax-Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum (Clean Beauty Rating: 4)

Soft, smooth, and lightly sunned skin in a bottle⁣. This self tanning super serum hydrates skin, while nourishing to even skin tone, color-correct, and minimize pigmentation. I’ve just recently started using this, so jury is still out but so far, so good…!

Morning Moisturizer and SPF

Then: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (Clean Beauty Rating: 6)

Now: CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion (Clean Beauty Rating: 5)

Before my 30th Birthday I decided it was time to step up my morning moisturizer and include SPF (I mean, who wants wrinkles!) This moisturizer is super light, airy, and hydrating. The formula helps rebuild the skin's protective barrier and locks in moisture all day. I love putting this on first thing in the morning after washing my face — I can quickly go for a walk outside without feeling guilty about getting that Vitamin D.

Nightly Moisturizer

Then: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (Clean Beauty Rating: 5)

Now: Summer Friday Jet lag Mask (Clean Beauty Rating: 3)

Every December I end up in the dermatologist office with dry skin irritations — but not this year, and I think that’s all thanks to this uber-dewy, hydrating moisturizer. I lather this baby on every single night before bed, and love how hydrated it keeps my skin. I’ve already gone through an entire tube and am on to my second one!

UPDATE 7/31:

After posting about this on IG, I received so many comments from my girlfriends on their favorite clean beauty skincare products, so I wanted to share all of the recommendations below. Can’t wait to try some of these products!

Tata Harper Skincare (so many recommendations for this one!)

Ole Henriksen (multiple recommendations for this one, specifically the glow20 toner!)

Herbivore Botanicals (specifically the Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum)

Drunk Elephant (specifically the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum!)

Beauty Counter (so many recommendations for this one! Specifically the resurfacing peel and vitamin c serum)

Goop (specifically Super Goop Mineral Based Sunscreen)

Elizabeth Arden (specifically the Skin Illuminating Retexturing Pads)

The Ordinary (specifically the Azelaic Acid Suspension)

BareMinerals (specifically the complexion Rescue tinted moisturizer and foundation stick)

Thrive Causemetics (specifically the mascara)

Color Science SPF

Biossance (specifically the lactic acid serum)

PLUS: Indie Lee. Naturopathica, Bite Beauty, Natura Bisse, Marie Veronique, Youth to the People, Ilia Beauty, Rocky Mountain Soap Company, Versed Brightening Serum, Caudalie, Sunday Riley, Tatcha, & Images Skincare