4 Clean Beauty Products For Better Skin

While no two people have skin with the same exact needs, most have the basic routine of cleanser, toner, moisturizer. However, there are a few products you may want to consider adding into your routine. Not only do you want to add a couple steps into your routine but make sure you are adding in clean, non-toxic items to protect your health in addition to your skin. Here are four clean beauty products can help you achieve better skin, especially if it is dry, aging or dull. For anyone with super sensitive skin, consult your dermatologist or esthetician before adding these into your routine. Personally, I have very sensitive skin but have found that I can add-in one product per week until building up into a full routine.

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Exfoliators

This is one step that you should be doing if you want to achieve glowing skin. There are two types of exfoliating: physical + chemical. Physical exfoliators are products that have a rough feel to them + physically buff away dead skin cells. Contrary to what the name suggests, chemical exfoliators are generally better for more sensitive skin types because it gently sloughs off dead skin cells. The best chemical exfoliators are a combination of alpha hydroxy acids + beta hydroxy acids (AHA/BHA). Look for products that have all three of the major alpha hydroxy acids: glycolic acid, lactic acid + malic acid, since they all have different molecular weights + therefore penetrate + act on different layers of the skin. As a general rule of thumb, the more acids, the better the results!

Physical Exfoliators

My favorite clean beauty products for physical exfoliators are OSEA Probiotic Vitamin C Polish + Tammy Fender Epi-Peel. Since I have more sensitive skin, I like to mix the OSEA polish into a creamy cleanser or the Beautycounter Cleansing Balm so that it is gentler on my skin.

Chemical Exfoliators

My absolute favorite clean beauty chemical exfoliator is the Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel. This peel has all the AHAs + BHA, is vegan (a non-dairy source of lactic acid…whoop whoop!). Not to mention that it’s free of over 1,800 other harmful chemicals, including synthetic fragrance, found in most other beauty products on the marke. The term “fragrance” alone can be comprised of 300+ different chemicals. YUCK! This peel will NOT make you skin actually peel. It is a thin, serum-like gel that goes on before bed + gets washed off in the morning. You will wake up to softer skin after just one use…it’s AMAZING!!

For my skin, I rotate using the physical + chemical exfoliators. For example, I will use physical ones on Saturday, Tuesday + Thursday then use the chemical ones on Monday, Wednesday + Friday. Sunday is a mask day! I’ve been using both the Odacite Synergie (4) Immediate Skin Perfecting Mask + Beautycounter Charcoal Balancing Mask. Really want to try some of the OSEA masks as well.

Essence

While not a super necessary product, it does make a big difference in product absorption into the skin. If you have dull or dry skin, adding in an essence will boost both brightness + hydration levels. This is particularly helpful during the colder months.

I have used the Beautycounter Mineral Essence on + off for about a year (yes, 1 bottle has lasted me that long!) + I really feel like my skin looks better when I use it. The Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence is also really nice! There is also the Vintner’s Daughter Active Treatment Essence, which I haven’t tried because of it’s price tag. But if it’s as good as the Vintner’s Daughter Serum then it’s probably worth the price.

Vitamin C

For my skin, topical Vitamin C has been a HUGE game changer!! Finding the right Vitamin C can be tricky because it can oxidize quickly, especially when in liquid form. Water makes Vitamin C very unstable because it is a water soluble vitamin. So why is Vitamin C so special? Vitamin C is a powerhouse of results: brighter + tighter skin, reduction in hyperpigmentation, increased cell-turnover + collagen production, plus anti-inflammatory + anti-oxidant effects.

I have been using the Beautycounter All-Bright Vitamin C Serum for a couple months now + can’t say enough good things about it! I also work in the OSEA Vitamin C Polish + am planning on trying the Agent Nateur Holi(C) Powder, too. But what I like about the Beautycounter Vitamin C is that it has two forms of super stable vitamin c, 5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C) + 5% Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), plus turmeric + camu camu for added antioxidant benefits. It gives an immediate glow + has helped combat my hyperpigmentation from all those sunny summer beach days. This is by far one of the best clean beauty products I have ever used.

Serums

It’s never too early to start adding in an anti-aging serum, even if it is only once in awhile. While retinol is heralded as magic in the beauty world, because let’s face it…it IS amazing…it’s not the best for sensitive skin, pregnant or breastfeeding women. In general, it has less than desirable side effects like photosensitivity, peeling, redness, irritation (burning + itching) + increased chance for skin cancer (via the increased photosensitivity).

But the good news is, there is an alternative to retinol on the market: Bakuchiol! This is a plant-derived retinol alternative + has been popping up all over the skincare world, especially in clean beauty brands like Herbivore, Biossance, Alpyn Beauty + of course, Beautycounter. Bakuchiol has the benefits of retinol such as, reducing pore size, fine lines + wrinkles, increasing skin firmness + acne-healing properties, sans t the irritation. It can still be slightly irritating initially until the skin becomes desensitized but overall it is generally well tolerated by most skin types.

I use a bakuchiol serum because serums have the highest concentration of ingredients + are better absorbed by the skin. My favorite is the Beautycounter Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum. It leaves your skin hydrated + with an amazing glow!

Another of my favorite clean beauty products (that I really need to buy a full size of) is Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum. It’s SOOOO pricey but I scored a sample in a Detox Market order + am hooked! It has such a delicate but luxurious scent. It is almost like a dry oil because it soaks in quickly but leaves your skin looking extra dewy. This is my luxury clean beauty product that I’ll be saving up for.

Bonus Products

To get even more benefits out of your new products try adding in the use of a facial roller + gua sha. The roller helps to depuff + soothe skin while helping to work products like serums further into the skin. Gua Sha usage helps to tighten + sculpt the face, minimize pores + release facial tension. Just remember to use it after an oil or thick serum so that it can glide easily over the skin. Here are my favorite facial roller + gua sha.

You may be thinking that adding in these products will also add a ton of time to your routine but it really only takes an extra minute or so + the compounded results are well worth the extra 2 minutes a day. If you need help finding the right Beautycounter products for your skin, just email me at victoria@vita-mode.com…I’m always happy to help you get started on your journey with clean beauty products!