Clean Beauty 101: A Comprehensive Guide -

If you’ve used social media over the past few years, you might have seen the trend to reduce your appearance. This is a trend towards “clean beauty,” but the definition is more complicated than you might believe.

What Is ‘Clean’ Beauty, Anyway?

It all depends on who you consult. “The definition of ‘clean beauty’ is pretty nebulous,” says Michele Farber, MD, a board-certified dermatologist working with Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia. There is no set of rules for what qualifies as natural or clean, making it difficult for anyone interested in skin care.

Since there are no formal guidelines, the final decision is yours to determine what cleanliness means to you, and it is based on the type of beauty you’re after. Clean beauty could refer to:

You’re trying to reduce the use of certain controversial chemicals in a skincare routine, such as scent, preservatives such as parabens and phthalates, and dyes. All of them are irritating to the skin. However, this could mean you’re still using chemical products.
You’re hoping to reduce the exposure to chemicals of all kinds. Choosing pure natural products, such as coconut oil, makes it possible to moisturize your body.
It’s “cleaner” when it comes to specific products that are part of your routine, such as cleansers and soaps, yet you apply the traditional acne products since they are more effective in treating your skin issues.

Is There Any Science Behind This Approach to Skin Care?

There is a growing concern among consumers and experts that various ingredients in skincare products can impact our health. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), consumers use around ten personal care products daily, which amounts to 126 ingredients.

EWG is an organization that invests in research and works to increase transparency in the use of personal care products. It claims that most of the ingredients that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits in these products haven’t been confirmed to be safe. They also note that more than 500 products in the United States “contain ingredients banned from cosmetics in Japan, Canada, or the European Union.” There’s the concern that some of these may be carcinogenic or endocrine-disrupting, meaning they cause cancer or dysregulate your hormonal system.

If those claims are natural, it isn’t sure, but. “We live in a world that is brimming with chemicals in the air and it’s impossible to live a life free of chemicals. While I think it’s a good idea to reduce the amount of chemicals we are exposed to, in the case of certain skin issues, it’s not always feasible,” says Rebecca Baxt, MD, a dermatologist board certified in Paramus, New Jersey. For instance, if you prefer moisturizing with regular coconut oil, it’s okay; however, applying the oil on your face is not a good idea when you’re prone to acne.

Consult with your dermatologist here. They will help you discover the right products and routines that meet your healthy cosmetic preferences while also working towards your goals for treatment, says Dr. Farber.

Advantages of a Clean Skincare Routine

If your products do not contain the common ingredients that can cause reactions in the skin — such as scents, dyes, parabens, and phthalates, this can aid in keeping your skin calmer and may show fewer signs of irritation such as burning, redness, and flaking.

Disadvantages of a Clean Skincare Routine

It’s something dermatologists everywhere will advise you of: “Just because something is natural or organic doesn’t mean it’s healthy. This doesn’t mean that it’s not bad too,” says Dr. Baxt. “Organics still have a ton of ingredients, and I find they use a lot of scented oils, which people are often allergic to,” she adds. In other words, you’re not sure of having healthy, smooth skin because you’re using a product advertised as organic or clean.

Additionally, it’s possible to go to the extreme. Don’t create yourself sunscreen such as. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the sunscreen you purchase must be broad-spectrum, with SPF 30 or more, and water-resistant,

Ingredients to Use (and Ones to Avoid) in a Clean Skincare Routine

The general method of personal care is to find products free of specific elements. Further details are below; however, the undesirable components typically comprise fragrance dyes, preservatives, and dyes parabens and phthalates.

Ingredients to Opt For

You might want to check out the following items, which are typically included in “clean” beauty products:

Hyaluronic acid Glycerin, panthenol, Ceramides (moisturizers)
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (found in mineral-based sunscreens)
Vitamin C (a protective antioxidant)
Alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid to improve even skin tone)
Beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid to treat acne)
Bakuchiol (a retinol alternative that is used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines)

If you’re trying to determine if your favorite products could be “clean,” look it over at EWG’s Skin Deep Database.

Ingredients to Avoid

It’s your choice. However, as a reference point, Sephora has a set of standards for what it considers “clean.” To make purchasing more accessible, the company sells personal care products in brick-and-mortar stores, and an online store awards those products that comply with a seal. Their website has an entire section where customers can buy clean beauty. These products do not contain “parabens, sulfates SLS and SLES, phthalates, mineral oils, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban.”

While it’s not an official guideline, it could be an ideal place to start when you’re unsure how to start your beauty routine.

Clean Skin Care Product Staples and Recommendations

Cleanse using micellar waters. Try Simple Gentle to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water, designed to be extremely gentle. Simple’s micellar water eliminates synthetic colors, fragrances, alcohol, parabens, and phthalates.

Apply a mineral-based SPF moisturizing cream and sunscreen. Minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reflect light and aren’t absorbed by the skin. They are considered to be the “cleaner” choice, says Farber. Coola Mineral Skin Matte Tint SPF 30 includes zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to provide broad-spectrum protection.

Make sure you protect your skin with antioxidants. Farber suggests using a vitamin C serum containing antioxidants that can counter the negative consequences of free radical chemical compounds that contribute to skin aging, as research shows. Drunk Elephant is a beloved brand in the world of clean beauty. The C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum is made up of pure L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and is suitable for normal, oily, dry, scaly skin.

Even tone your skin with even tone using glycolic acid for an even style. There is glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid made from sugarcane in serums core, arms, and other products. It is an ingredient that causes layers of dead skin to shed to lessen the appearance of discoloration, says Farber.

Relieve acne using salicylic acid. Salicylic acid, derived from the willow leaves, is the most popular ingredient to treat acne problems and is considered safe to maintain a clean and beautiful appearance. It also helps exfoliate dead skin cells that block the pores, which can result in blemishes, per the American Academy of Dermatology.

Smooth lines using Bakuchiol. It is the most recent natural alternative to Retinol. According to Harvard University notes Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that helps exfoliate and boost collagen production, keeping skin looking smooth and wrinkle-free. Bakuchiol has been proven to reduce wrinkles and discolorations, similarly to Retinol. It is less irritating, according to a study published in January 2019 by the British Journal of Dermatology.

Apply a moisturizer. The goal is to choose simple moisturizers that have as little as possible of the ingredients and are free of fragrance, according to Farber. The most common elements inside “clean” moisturizers include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, and ceramides.

Morning and Night Steps to Follow in a Clean Beauty Routine

The best routine for every person will be different for everyone, and skincare isn’t universally applicable, according to Farber. However, one principle that’s widely accepted, she explains, is to use less. One method to achieve your goal of having a clean skincare routine is to reduce it. By using fewerr products, you’ll decrease your exposure to many chemicals and ingredients, such as those damaging your skin. The following are three steps you should take in the morning and evening, per Farber.

In the Morning

Wash off based on the type of skin you have. If you’re oily, wash your face in the morning, suggests Farber. If you’re sensitive or dry, rinse water is all you need.
Blot on the vitamin C serum.
Apply the SPF moisturizer to protect your skin from sun damage.

In the Evening

Begin with the gentle cleanser. Cleanse the dirt and grime, makeup leftovers, and pollution from the day of your skin.
Treat skin. This is the perfect time to treat your skin using your anti-acne treatment or health-promoting product like glycolic acid or Bakuchiol.
Moisturize again. Before going to bed, ensure that your skin is well-hydrated. It should be a simple, non-fragrance moisturizer. There is no requirement to apply a moisturizer with SPF in the evening.