Want to explore clean skincare? In today’s post, I’m helping you navigate that huge terrain with simple, clean ingredient skincare tips.
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Recently, I wrote about easy sustainability swaps for your home. Then I started thinking about how I’ve rethought my skincare routine over the years. Clean ingredient skincare wasn’t something I really thought about much when I was a teenager and in my early 20s. I assumed if a product was on the shelf, it was fine to use. Ha! How little I knew then and how much I know, and care, now!
I remember reading an article years ago about fruits and vegetables you should always buy as organic. An accompanying article mentioned clean ingredient skincare ingredients, so I clicked on it. As I read it, I was appalled by the number of cancer-causing chemicals and hormone disruptors in skincare products, not to mention the lack of usage regulations for those ingredients. Back then, the choices available for clean options were scarce and the products that were in my price range were pretty disappointing.
Fast forward to today, and the usage regulations on skincare products are still abominable. But the good news is clean skincare brands and options abound. In fact, walk into any drugstore, larger grocery store, department store, or cosmetics store, and you can find countless options to consider in vast price ranges to fit your budget. All of those options can be intimidating, though. To help you out, here are some clean ingredient skincare tips to reference before you shop online or go to a brick and mortar store.
Before You Buy New Skincare Products
It’s truly shocking to know the government doesn’t have strict regulations about the ingredients in skincare products. When you consider that your skin is an absorbent organ, it makes you rethink your options. That’s at least what I did when I read up on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep guidelines here. You can enter brands and products in their website search bar and they’ll let you know how they rate on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the worst, of ingredients causing cancer, allergic reactions, potential reproductive issues, and any usage restrictions. I personally won’t buy anything over a 3. Here’s what you can expect to see when you do a search. I’ve input one of the products I’m currently using as an example.
Now try putting a few products you’re using in the search bar to see how they stack up. Crazy, right? It’s eye-opening at the very least, and you’ve probably never thought twice about what you’re using. Just like me, you didn’t think you were buying something that’s potentially harmful to you.
I do want to mention, though, that it’s important to note that clean ingredient skincare products typically have more plant and flower-based ingredients instead of chemicals. That’s a good thing overall, but keep an eye on allergens. I always inquire about returns just in case an ingredient causes that rare allergic reaction. It has happened before!
Clean Ingredient Skincare Sources
When you search for products on EWG’s site, sometimes you can be lucky enough to buy them directly. In other cases, you can find them on Amazon or it will direct you to specific stores. In recent blog posts, I’ve mentioned Grove. They’re my go-to resource for sustainable cleaning products, but they also have an entire clean beauty component of their site. This is a huge win for me because I love one-stop shopping whenever possible. Also, since Grove has done the homework of certifying all of the brands they carry, I don’t have to agonize about making a bad choice.
Join Grove today and get a free gift set with your first purchase!
In cases where I’m interested in a brand Grove doesn’t carry, I’ve found that Ulta and Sephora are good options. Their clean ingredient labeling is clear and if you get overwhelmed (been there!), you can always find an associate who can help narrow you down your choices. That’s great when you have a product budget number in mind or have a specific skincare benefit you’re looking for.
My Simple Clean Skincare Routine
I’m not loyal to any particular skincare line. I like to try new things when I run out of a product. However, I always go to EWG’s Skin Deep site before I buy. I like to keep things simple with my skincare. I could never be that person with a 14 step skincare routine! I’ve pared down my routine to just a handful of products. In the morning, I only rinse my face with water. I don’t bother to use an extra cleanser. I apply a thin layer of eye cream under my eyes and on my lids. If my face feels a bit dry, I will add a light layer of moisturizer, but if it feels pretty good, I just put on a facial sunscreen. I do this every single day, rain or shine. Then I’m good to go with any makeup I apply.
At night, I take off my eye makeup with micellar water. I love it since I wear contacts and regular eye makeup remover irritates my eyes. Then I use a gel cleanser that I apply with a sonic facial brush. Mine is from Clinique and I’ve had it for at least 6 years. I consider it a game-changer since it polishes my skin without a scrub. Then I apply a toner, my eye cream, and a serum. Finally, just before bed, I apply facial oil. And that’s it!
Here are links to the products I’m currently using:
Clinique Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush
Alba Botanica Facial Mineral Sunscreen
Rooted Beauty Sensitive 3-in-1 Micellar Water
Biossance Squalane-Elderberry Jelly Cleaner
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner
Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream
Mad Hippie Antioxidant Facial Oil
My skincare routine only takes me about 5 minutes to complete from start to finish. But, most importantly, I feel good about the products I’m using on my skin. Do you currently use any clean skincare products? I’d love to hear about your favorites and any skincare product changes you’re planning to make in the future!
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