Clean Skincare Brands You Need to Try

Clean skincare is super important to me because not only do I love knowing my products are made sustainably, I know that it’s also good for my skin.

Everytime I buy a skincare or beauty product, I always make sure that it is vegan, cruelty-free, and clean. Sephora makes it easy to do this as they have a clean skincare section on their website and all clean products are visibly marked.

What is Clean Skincare?

Clean at Sephora are products that are formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oils, formaldehyde, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and more. Brands categorized under Clean at Sephora are made with top quality ingredients that aren’t harmful to your skin, and they are eco-friendly.

I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite clean skincare brands and their stand-out products, so that you can up your skincare game while keeping it clean!

Youth to the People

I have been using Youth to the People products for two years now, and their cleanser is incredible. It is always sold out at Sephora (which is so annoying), but the products are that good. 

The brand claims to create skincare with the planet in mind and is cutting back on waste by subbing out plastic for glass bottles and jars. All paper packaging is recyclable as well.

The formulas are sustainably made in California with local suppliers and are vegan, cruelty-free, and biodegradable.

Youth to the People’s stand-out product is the cleanser I mentioned earlier – the Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser. It feels refreshing and makes your skin feel clean while also smelling fresh. It also doubles as a makeup remover which is a bonus if taking off your makeup feels like a struggle some days. It’s a must-have product.

Farmacy

Farmacy is a clean skincare brand that I’ve recently discovered, and once I tried one product, I immediately ordered more. 

Farmacy is another brand that values sustainability. The brand plans to have 100% zero waste packaging by 2022. By 2021, Farmacy plans to use 80% to 90% non-virgin materials, and they also vow to use 100% non-conflict ingredients.

I have been using Farmacy’s Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm ever since I made the switch from makeup wipes to balms. It removes all of my makeup and is perfect for double cleansing. I’ve purchased it repeatedly and recently tried their Sweet Apple Clean scent, which is heavenly.

Glow Recipe

A skincare problem I’ve always struggled with is redness, and I fell in love with Glow Recipe as soon as I tried their Avocado Ceramide Redness Relief Serum.

Glow Recipe is a natural skincare brand that is inspired by fruit. The brand believes that skincare should be fun which is why they mix their fruity-scented products with bright packaging that is also aesthetically pleasing.

Glow Recipe cares about sustainability and social justice. All of Glow Recipe’s products are 100% recyclable, all ingredients are natural and responsibly sourced, and they’ve partnered with Climate Neutral to become Climate Neutral certified by 2022. The brand also makes monetary donations to organizations that support environmental preservation, diversity and inclusion, and female empowerment and education.

Okay, now that I’ve told you about how great Glow Recipe is, let’s get back to the Avocado Ceramide Redness Relief Serum. The serum is a must-have if you struggle with redness. My rosacea was worse when I was younger, but I still have it in my cheeks. I’ve been using the serum for two weeks now and it’s helped so much. My redness has decreased and my skin is glowy and even.

Fresh

Fresh skincare is inspired by natural ingredients from around the world that transform the skin. Like the other brands listed, Fresh is committed to sustainability. Fresh’s goal is to improve its ingredient sourcing with respect to the planet by 2030. 

Lately, I’ve been loving the Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash. I love it because it’s an exfoliator, but it’s gentle enough that you can use it every day. It doesn’t irritate the skin and it is scrubby enough to make your skin feel brand new afterwards. It also smells super sweet and reminds me of a sunny summer day.

Tatcha

Tatcha is a well-known brand and you’ve probably tried at least one of their iconic products if you’re interested in skincare. The brand encompasses pure Japanese rituals, including the virtue of less is more, and uses these practices while creating modern formulas for everyday wear. According to the Tatcha website, the foundation of its products is “Hadasei-3™, a trinity of anti-aging superfoods born from the Japanese diet, and the basis for the original geisha beauty rituals: green tea, rice and algae.”

Tatcha is one of the pricier brands on the list, but I would highly recommend The Water Cream if you were to try any product from the brand. The Water Cream is an extremely thin, but hydrating moisturizer. A lot of people think they need a thick moisturizer to get their desired hydration, but The Water Cream does the trick. It absorbs quickly and leaves your skin hydrated all day long.

Yes, there are other less expensive moisturizers that do the job, but you won’t have any complaints about The Water Cream if you splurge on it.

Belif

What makes Belif unique is its mix of traditional Japanese skincare with herbal remedies. Herbs are the main ingredients in each of the products and are sourced from all over the world. Belif specializes in herbal formulas that target anti-aging, moisture, dark circles, irritation, and texture. 

I’ll start off by saying that I have never tried a Belif product that I didn’t like. If I had to choose a stand-out, it would be the Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask. It has a gel texture and feels cooling on the skin, especially after being outside or in the sun all day. The mask is also hydrating, as are all of the products in Belif’s aqua line, and I always wake up with glowing skin after using this sleeping mask.

First Aid Beauty

First Aid Beauty is known for its renowned skin care products that are lifesavers for sensitive skin. First Aid Beauty has five core standards that apply to all its products including clean ingredients, cruelty free, safe for sensitive skin, dermatologist tested, and no artificial fragrances. 

I wouldn’t describe my skin as overly sensitive, but it has its moments. I made the switch to First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration last year and it changed my skin for the better. 

I’ve tried many moisturizers, and I’ve loved most of them, but the simplicity of the Ultra Repair Cream is what changed the game for me. It doesn’t have a scent, which helps with any irritation I might have and it reduces the redness in my cheeks. It is also a thick moisturizer which I prefer in the winter. It absorbs well and a little goes a long way.

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There are tons of clean skincare brands out there, but these are a few of my favourites at the moment. Click here if you’re looking for more skincare-related posts!

What is your favourite clean skincare brand and product?