Favorite Clean Beauty Products

Clean beauty products are something i’m veryyyy passionate about. I am a firm believer that what we put on our skin is just as important as what we put in our bodies. Here is my current, SIMPLE skincare routine that has made the biggest difference in my skin, my favorite makeup products that live up to the hype, & hair products that actually work.

The importance of clean beauty products

The skin is the largest organ of the body. Many chemicals used in every day life can damage organs if they penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. According to the EWG, the average person uses 9 products daily, containing over 126 ingredients (some of which are extremely toxic). If there were safety regulations on cosmetics, this wouldn’t be as alarming, but the scary part.. there isn’t. So why would companies use toxic ingredients? Because they’re cheap.

Many of these harmful substances are found in everyday products (think lotions and sunscreens), and are designed to easily penetrate our skin’s walls. So if your products are full of endocrine disrupters, harmful chemicals and contaminants, they are getting absorbed into your body. I remember when I first learned about this and that was when I decided to do a huge beauty purge.

How to know if a product is “clean”

One of my favorite resources to use is the EWG skin deep database. It is a great tool that gives you practical solutions to protect yourself and your family from everyday exposures to chemicals in personal care products.

You can search a specific brand or product in their database to see how it scores OR you can search brands that are EWG verified (if a product has the EWG VERIFIED^® mark, it means it’s free from EWG’s chemicals of concern and meets their strictest standards for your health).

Another great resource to breakdown specific ingredients to avoid, is Safe cosmetics. You can search by category (dental, fragrance, hair, etc.) which makes it super easy!

where to start? its overwhelming!

I am definitely not saying you need to throw everything away and start fresh, because thats just not reasonable for most (and hello, SO expensive). so here are a few tips to get started:

• Start with products you use daily: Maybe theres a cleanser, body wash, or lotion that you use every single day. Replace those first as these will have the greatest impact because you’re exposed to them daily. Especially the ones that are left on the longest (lotions, sunscreens, etc)
• Shampoos & conditioners (the scalp has a higher absorption rate)

Some ingredients to look out for

• Parabens (Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, Iso, Benzyl, Etc.)
• Phthalates
• Triclosan/Triclocarbon
• Fragrances
• TEA + DEA (Triethanolamine and Diethanolamine
• Sulfates
• EDTA
• Aliminum

Now let’s get to the good stuff! I have tried so, so.. soooo many brands on the market and i’ve finally narrowed it down to my tried and trues!

Current clean makeup favorites

Merit foundation stick: I use this as my normal foundation. It’s light, while giving the perfect medium-full coverage. Sometimes i’ll set it with a powder if i’m looking for FULL coverage. My holy grail!

Merit Bronze Balm Sculpting Bronzer: I could probably only use this broner the rest of my life and be perfectly happy. It’s just perfect. Super blendable, natural, love the shades!

Lawless Forget the filler liner: This is my go-to liner! The color dusty rose is PERFECTION. I get asked often what lipstick color i’m wearing and 9/10 times, this is it! I always top it with a gloss as it’s matte.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid lash extension mascara: The hoy grail mascara! Literally the BEST mascara i’ve ever used. That is it, that is all. Try it!

Rare Beauty soft pinch liquid blush: The shades are SO pretty! A little goes a long way, so i’ve noticed these last a LONG time, as they are super pigmented. I can literally do the tiniest dot on each cheek, blend it out and it’s perfect. I’m excited to get some deeper shades for fall!

Lawless Mini The Little One Talc-Free Eyeshadow Palette : I don’t wear eyeshadow often, but when I do, it’s this! I love the colors and the fact that it’s talc-free.

My current skincare routine

I have tried products from almost every “clean” skincare brand on the market, as I like to switch my products up after a few months (something I learned from a dermatologist that actually works for me). But after using the products i’m about to discuss for a few months now, I really couldn’t be happier with my skin.

There are two brands that I have been absolutely obsessed with because the products TRULY work and are worth the money. Dime Beauty is one I always recommend to people because it’s quite affordable compared to others. Here’s my faves:

Barefaced Toning Pads: A game changer product for me. From their site – “formulated with some of our favorite acids, antioxidants and soothing ingredients, every swipe reveals clearer, brighter skin while tackling clogged pores and increasing penetration of your other skincare products, making them more effective.” Because these are an exfoliator, I use them at night, every other day or so. Couldn’t recommend them more!

Dime Beauty Jelly Cleanser: I love a gentle cleanser that makes your skin feel so, so clean. This one is great and actually very affordable for a clean beauty brand, compared to others.

Dime Beauty Eye Serum: I suffer with Milia on my under eyes (those little white bumps that are SO annoying). Using thicker creams and moisturizers can clog that sensitive skin, causing them. So a thin, gentle eye cream is super important for me. I absolutely LOVE this one. I actually received a free one when they were doing a free gift with purchase and ended up ordering another once it was out.

Barefaced Liquid Gold: This stuff is called liquid gold for a reason. Vitamin C is incredibly important. I once had a facial and the gal told me the number one product she’d recommend for anyone’s routine is a high quality vitamin c. Think of it as a multivitamin for your skin! This one is a little pricey but it lasts a LONG time – you really get your moneys worth.

Dime Beauty Hyaluronic Acid:

Favorite clean hair & body products

Vegamour scalp detoxifying serum: This stuff is amazing. It REALLY detoxifies your scalp, getting rid of any buildup, leaving it feeling so refreshed and clean! This is such an important step for hair health/growth – it all starts at the scalp! I use this once a week!

Vegamour Gro + Advanced Hair serum: On the same topic of scalp health, making it a priority has made the biggest difference in my hair. I’ve seen growth, it looks healthier, and shinier. This serum you use daily, massaging it into your scalp. It almost feels like water (not oily), so it won’t leave any residue in your hair or make it look/feel oily.

Beauty by earth self tanner: I’ve repurchased this too many times to count. Most self tanners have artificial dyes and nasties. This one is non-toxic and works just as well (I actually prefer it!)

Osea salt of the earth scrub: I will use this before putting on the self tanner above, to make sure we’re working with a smooth canvas! This scrub leaves your skin feel uberrrr soft and smooth. Thomas will touch my arm and be like “You used the scrub didn’t you?” LOL.

Osea anti-aging body balm: This is my holy grail body product! I can’t go without it. It is an oil based balm, but a little goes a long way. It leaves your skin glowing and really makes it so, so soft. I have severely dry skin, especially during winter, so this is an absolute nonnegotiable for me at this point! If putting it on before jeans or clothes, I always let it absorb for a bit before getting dressed.

What are your favorite clean beauty brands/product?

I am always on the hunt for new goodies! Leave me some of your faves in the comments! x

Love getting nerdy about skincare? Read my post on the benefits of Red Light!

• Benefits of red light
• How I reduced my cortisol and balanced my hormones (so important for skin & hair health!)