My quest for clean products began in 2021 when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Until then, I was a luxury skincare girl convinced that expensive equals superior and healthy. Little did I know. So, after hearing the diagnosis, I started researching and, one by one, eliminating items that could further negatively affect my health. This was when I realized that my beloved luxury products contained some nasty ingredients: endocrine system-disrupting, carcinogenic, irritating, and environmentally toxic (parabens, phthalates, BHT, PEGs, etc).
But don’t get me wrong, they’re not all totally evil. Some serious anti-aging treatments require high concentrations of actives or potent preservatives. With this in mind, I keep my routine 90% clean and focus on maintaining my skin nice and healthy throughout the year. Then, twice a year, I dedicate a month to actives: acids, retinol, and other anti-aging treatments. Such active sessions usually happen in late autumn and winter when the sun is less active, and I spend more time inside.
So today, I am sharing my favorite clean skincare brands and products that my skin appreciates the most. If you are a health-conscious beauty lover obsessed with ingredient lists, these are the brands to look for. Please be aware that I’m not an aesthetician, so what works for me may not work for you (although I hope it will).
This blog post is rather enormous because that’s how much I care about clean beauty! If you’re not into long reads, I hope the headings can help you navigate the parts you want to read or skip!
ORPHEUS. Gentle everyday care for glowy skin
Whenever I switch to Orpheus skincare, I receive endless compliments about my skin glow. So, of course, a product from Orpheus is always in my routine. Especially when the skin is acting up and I want my products to be as gentle as possible. The brand is 100% clean and contains no harsh, irritating actives.
Before discovering Orpheus, I spent significant amounts on luxury skincare yet still suffered from dry patches and flaking. Winters and allergy seasons were a nightmare because I couldn’t wear makeup (and I’m a makeup artist). That's how dry my skin used to be. I received my first set of Orpheus products with the condition that for 2 weeks straight I wouldn't use anything else, Orpheus only. Of course, I was scared to step away from my regular routine and possibly experience more dryness. But from day one, I was fascinated: my skin felt nice, moisturized, supple, and bouncy to the touch!
The brand is powered by antioxidant-rich Orpheus Flower Cell Peptide®. Orpheus flower grows only in Bulgarian mountains and is famous for its ability to survive years of total dehydration. Picture this: the Orpheus flower survived the Ice Age and revived as if nothing had happened! So, what does it do to your skin? The Orpheus flower extract helps regenerate skin cells, assists in collagen production, UV and environmental damage protection, and illuminates your skin with a healthy glow.
My signature Orpheus routine (the one that attracts the most compliments) includes:
Resurrection Bio-Luminous Dewy Essence to prep my skin with deep hydration and vitamin influx.
Resurrection All-in-One Serum for a plump, smooth, and glowing complexion.
Resurrection Bio-Shield Cream to protect my skin and repair its protective barrier. Whenever my skin is acting up, this cream heals it immediately. It's my go-to product during the allergy season or after tanning. Although the Bio-Shield Cream is a vital part of my morning and night routines in winter, during the summer, I only use it at night.
ELEMENT 8. The anti-aging powerhouse
Element 8 is simply revolutionary. It caters to people who want potent anti-aging formulations and don’t mind splurging on skincare. The brand was founded by a team of internationally renowned spine surgeons and medical field experts after discovering that their unprecedented oxygen delivery system, designed to accelerate bone growth and healing, had a powerful effect when applied to the skin. After all, bones and skin both contain a lot of collagen.
Element 8’s proprietary technology OATH™ delivers oxygen straight to your skin cells. On its own, this extra oxygen elevates skin renewal, boosts collagen and elastin production. When combined with other ingredients, this revolutionary technology increases the efficacy of actives. So what you’re left with is a gorgeous, youthful complexion.
My favorite Element 8 item is the O2 Niacinamide Eight Active Serum. It helped me to get rid of discoloration on my forehead, which had been haunting me for quite a while. This serum contains a potent (8%) concentration of niacinamide with an additional efficacy boost from the OATH™ technology. So, due to my sensitive skin, I only use it twice a week. And, of course, it’s 100% clean!
U BEAUTY. Simple routine with all the necessary actives
Founded by an OG fashion blogger and pioneer of influencer marketing and luxury skincare Tina Chen Craig, U Beauty is dedicated to people who want powerful skincare and multi-functional products. The brand’s proprietary SIREN Capsule Technology™ targets damaged skin cells with a precise delivery of antioxidants, peptides, and vitamins. This targeted approach maximizes effectiveness, promoting rapid skin repair and noticeable improvements in texture and tone.
My personal favorite is The SUPER Hydrator facial cream. It delivers on its promise and supercharges my skin with moisture.
Another product I absolutely have to mention is the Resurfacing Compound because it helped me get rid of dark spots within a month. This serum is a true powerhouse, saturated with antioxidants, vitamins, retinol, and multi-hydroxy acids. So, if your skin is sensitive like mine, start slow and use it 1-2 times a week. And don’t forget your SPF!
CAUDALIE. My old love
I’ve been a fan of Caudalie since forever. Even before I cared about my skincare being clean or knew anything about ingredients. It is a France-based family business, so everything about its products speaks French to me: sensual textures, well-balanced scents, and eye-pleasing aesthetics. You can enjoy Caudalie treatments in spas all over the world. And the world is what the brand cares about a lot. Since 2012, they've been dedicating 1% of yearly worldwide revenue to environmental organizations. Most importantly, the brand has been clean since 2006, and in 2020 went the extra mile by removing 60 controversial substances from formulas.
Talking about France, Caudalie seizes the abundant antioxidants offered by grapes. The powerful polyphenols from grape seeds, resveratrol, and patented vinifera from vine stalks deliver strong anti-aging and skin-conditioning properties.
My favorite Caudalie line is Premier Cru, which focuses on anti-aging solutions. It’s powered by the brand’s TET8™ patented technology (also containing grape resveratrol) and corrects 8 signs of aging. Who doesn’t love anti-aging products? My go-to's are Anti-Aging Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and Anti-Aging Eye Cream for Fine Lines and Wrinkles.
Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Serum is my best-kept professional secret for skin prep on clients with oily or troubled skin. The serum magically blurs and minimizes pores, mattifies complexion, and works great under makeup.
Whenever I have a breakout, I call Vinopure Purifying Mask to the rescue. Powered by green clay and zinc oxide, the mask visibly reduces the blemish damage in just 5 minutes!
FARMACY. Affordable, easy to find, clean
Clean skincare doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and Farmacy is here to prove it. The brand stands for scientific formulas and farm-sourced, clean ingredients. Its huge collection of beautiful products is affordable and readily available at Sephora.
Farmacy’s CLEAN BEE Hyaluronic Acid + Honey Cleanser is my favorite cleanser of all cleansers. It is super gentle and perfect for my sensitive, dry skin. The hyaluronic acid and honey combo protects my face from moisture loss and helps maintain the moisture barrier. It removes makeup too, so I usually skip a cleansing balm and use the CLEAN BEE for both double cleansing steps. I’m not a fan of cleansing balms. I feel my pores clogging every time they touch my face. So CLEAN BEE is perfect for me.
My other Farmacy must-have is the HONEY SAVIOR multi-purpose skin salve. Loaded with antioxidants, this balm repairs, nourishes, and calms irritated skin. I always keep a tube at home and use it for my cuticles, elbows, irritation, or accidental cuts.
BEEKMAN 1802. A Must have for fellow New Yorkers
Family-owned and located in upstate New York, Beekman 1802 has a special place in my heart. It is the cutest brand ever. Their story began when the founders moved to a historic Beekman 1802 farm and adopted 100 goats. After producing their first product, a goat milk soap bar, the family discovered unique and powerful goat milk properties. It is super rich in probiotics, proteins, fatty acids, and lactic acid. Basically, the milk has most of the nutrients that your skin needs.
As a fellow New Yorker, I feel confident about the Beekman 1802 skincare. One, it is locally produced, so it uses the same water as my skin and body are used to. Two, I get to support a local business. And three, the brand promotes kindness to skin, planet, animals, and community. If you ever feel blue, visit their website and watch the Live Goat Cam to lift your spirits. It never fails to lift mine.
The Beekman 1802 products are super affordable and range from simple everyday care items to ones with active ingredients. My definite must-have is The Bloom Cream. I use it when my skin needs a break and healing from actives. It's a gentle, plain moisturizer, it doesn't irritate and works on everybody. I also have a bottle in my makeup kit because it literally works on everyone.
Another favorite is Dewy Eyed Illuminating and Depuffing Eye Serum. It instantly cools and awakens dull skin, helps to reduce dark circles, moisturizes and depuffs. It is lightweight, absorbs fast and works amazing under makeup.
NECESSAIRE. Treat your body like you treat your face
Nécessaire is a bodycare brand nurturing your body, scalp, and hair with sustainable and clean products. And for me, bodycare is equally important as facecare. There’s a lot of skin on the body, so no nasties are welcome in my body cream.
My go-to Nécessaire product is The Body Lotion. Enriched with peptide complex, vitamins, and niacinamide, it helps to firm and even the skin tone. A big bottle of The Body Lotion is a staple on my vanity, while a 200ml tube travels inside my professional makeup kit. I want only the best for my clients, so whenever I do bridal makeup, I apply it on any exposed body areas to add glow. The lotion is odorless and does not interfere with the client's perfume because who would want to smell like a body cream on their wedding?
Hyped about clean beauty?
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