Often we talk vaguely about ‘clean beauty’ and how we need to make the switch toward cleaner and more non-toxic brands. But the world of clean beauty can be confusing, and just like it took you 15 years to find the mainstream cleanser you like or lipstick shade that’s perfect for your tone, thus is the same with clean products. Luckily, I have tried more than 20 clean beauty brands and well over 200 products in the past 3 years, slowly wiling away at my favorites. I’ve rounded up 9 specific products, meant to be the ‘best of’ for one specific category, in order to help you if you are looking for a mask, a vitamin C serum, or a moisturizer with SPF. These are 9 Clean Skincare swaps you need to make NOW, to replace their toxic counterparts you already have in your regimen.
8 Clean Skincare Swaps you need to Make Now
Cleanser – Osea Ocean Cleanser
This is by far, my favorite all around every day, cleanser. The smell is light and fresh and it exfoliates just the tiniest amount to allow you to use it day and night without irritation. You can leave it on longer to act as a mini mask as well. It helps with moderate acne like mine, yet still leaves my dry skin feeling hydrated and clean. I even have a mini size that I travel with!
Vitamin C Serum – Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C Serums are all the rage right now, and almost every brand is touting something or other with the vitamin. While I admit there are a lot of brands that do great ones, I particularly love this Ursa Major one because it doesn’t leave my skin with a film on top, or worse, a weird orange tint (that I think many companies add in order for it to look… brighter!). This makes it the perfect serum to use day or night, after the above cleanser!
Anti-Wrinkle Day Moisturizer – Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer
For days when I’m mostly indoors, this is my absolute favorite moisturizer. It’s a little thicker than some other moisturizers, but I absolutely love that for my parched skin. It soaks in easily however so you don’t have to worry about applying makeup on top. We love this one so much in our house that I periodically find it stolen… in my husband’s dopp kit. He’s a huge fan too, which makes us go through this product quickly!
Night Serum – True Botanicals Cellular Repair Serum
I’ve written about this one here, and guess what…? It’s still my favorite. I feel like applying it every night has helped me get that youthful glow that parenthood has stolen from me. I often add in the Antioxidant Booster to fight off the oxidation (duh) that causes aging, even though it tends to stain my pillows a bit (oh well, the price of beauty). I use it in place of a serum at night, after cleansing and before a final moisturizer.
Eye Patches – Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Instant Eye Lift Algae Mask
There are a few cult favorite eye masks out there, and I challenge you to replace them with one non-toxic babies. They come with the eye patch separate from the activator, which means you pour the activator on the patch ensuring it soaks it all up, and then apply to your eyes. I love this process because it makes me feel like its a fresher, more potent product. Also, it is. Try it.
Acne Clearing Mask – Indie Lee Clearing Mask
I can compare this one directly to a very popular toxic one…. but I won’t. This acne clearing mask should be used once a week on trouble areas (for me, on my chin) to soak up and suck out any and all grossness in my pores. The first time I used it I broke out a bit right after, as all of the grease was sucked to the surface, but using it regularly has eliminated my deep cystic chin acne and regulated my hormonal breakouts. Thank goodness, because having serious acne and being in my 30’s is starting to get confusing.
Resurfacing Mask – True Botanicals Resurfacing Moisture Mask
On the flip side, my skin also has tons of fine lines and bumps caused by age and build up of dry skin (fun, right?). So I’ve started including peels and resurfacing masks into my routine 2x a week to help get that smooth texture back. I alternate using a peel with this True Botanicals mask, which adds moisture back into my skin and I swear, makes it baby soft (ok, I exaggerate, but as good as it’s gonna get at this point!). The best part is that it only takes 3-5 minutes to work so I often do it right after cleansing, which is far easier than taking 10-20 minutes out of my day for other masks and peels.
That’s all! Please let me know if there is a specific product that you are looking for a clean skincare alternative for and I will be sure to include it in the next round up!
Thank you to Follain for providing some of the products for this post!
