Clean beauty has seen an exponential rise over the latter half of the past decade, with more information being readily available about the potentially detrimental effects of certain ingredients found in conventional skincare, beauty, and grooming products. While the concept of clean beauty is still a bit iffy as there’s no exact industry wide definition, we like Sephora’s approach to the matter.
“The beauty you want, minus the ingredients you might not,” is how Angelique Hogan, Sephora SEA’s director of retail education describes the Clean at Sephora initiative that initially launched in 2018, noting that “consumers are looking for more transparency than ever before and are making more considered decisions about their beauty purchases.” Products that bear the Clean at Sephora seal of approval are free from ingredients on Sephora’s ‘formulated without’ list, which comprises over thirty ingredients and includes parabens, phthalates, sulphates, and petroleum.
You’ll also enjoy:
Detox Your Makeup Routine With These High-performance Clean Beauty Products
Effortlessly Remove Impurities, Makeup & Sunscreen With These Cleansing Oils
How To Make Your Spendy Salon Hair Colour Last Longer
While clean beauty isn’t synonymous with natural beauty, brands closer to home like Emma Lewisham and Ere Perez have been leading the charge with clean, non-toxic formulas that utilise natural ingredients. New Zealand-based skincare brand Emma Lewisham bridges the gap between natural ingredients and efficacious, scientifically-backed formulas, while on Australian shores, Ere Perez utilises botanical ingredients to create natural, yet pigmented makeup formulas with real payoff.
With an ever growing selection of clean beauty and skincare products, it can be difficult to distinguish the overhyped products from the true heavyweights. To make things easier, we’ve put together the best clean beauty and skincare products that deliver real results.
1. Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Clearing Toner
Combining acne and blackhead-fighting salicylic acid with lightly exfoliating papaya enzymes, the Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Clearing Toner is a useful product to have in your skincare arsenal. Particularly beneficial for acne-prone or oily skin types, it helps unclog pores and modulate sebum production.
2. Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Lightweight, oil-free, and with zero white cast whatsoever, the Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 15 combines a moisturiser with broad spectrum SPF protection. It absorbs quickly and gently pumps and hydrates skin, making for the ideal canvas for foundation or simply worn alone.
3. Jurlique Activating Water Essence+
Harnessing the power of two types of marshmallow root extracts, the Jurlique Activating Water Essence+ hydrates and preps skin for serum and moisturiser application. Lightweight and refreshing, it helps promote continuous hydration throughout the day, while the botanical scent uplifts and energises the senses.
4. Emma Lewisham Supernatural Triple Vitamin A+ Face Oil
Utilising evidence-backed natural ingredients, clean skincare formulas from eponymous brand Emma Lewisham are rooted in science. Free from fillers, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances and synthetic preservatives, the Emma Lewisham Supernatural Triple Vitamin A+ Face Oil combines twenty nutrient dense ingredients, including phyto-retinol alternative bakuchiol, to support the skin’s regeneration process and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
5. Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pot
Enriched with the antioxidant power of carrots, this easily-blendable oil based balm blush packs a powerful pigmented punch, while working to keep the skin (or lips) supple and moisturised.
6. Youth To The People Kombucha Exfoliation Power Toner
This powerful toner uses glycolic and lactic acids to exfoliate, while the presence of kombucha works to support the skin’s natural microbiome and humectants provide essential hydration. Ideal for improving skin tone and texture.
7. Grown Alchemist Age-Repair Intensive Moisturiser
Free from carcinogens, lauryl sulfates, petrochemicals, parabens, paraffin, artificial fragrances, and other potentially unwanted ingredients, Grown Alchemist utilises a mixture of botanicals and plant-based ingredients like peptides and hydrators to form effective clean skincare products. Formulated with phyto-peptides, the Grown Alchemist Age-Repair Intensive Moisturiser is ideal for dry or mature skin, working to restore hydration and smoothen the surface of the skin.
8. Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner
Featuring rose petals and hyaluronic acid, the deeply hydrating, alcohol-free Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner soothes and nourishes the skin, preparing it for your serums and moisturiser.
9. Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
Combining the signature Biossance sugarcane-derived squalane with vitamin C and shiitake mushrooms, this vitamin C serum works to improve the appearance of discolouration and dark spots, while preventing new ones from forming. Like all Biossance products, it’s made with clean ingredients and housed in recyclable, sustainable packaging.
10. Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser
Made with a superfood blend of kale, spinach, and green tea extracts, the Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser effectively cleanses skin without stripping it of its sebum content, working to dissolve impurities, sunscreen, and makeup without leaving skin feeling dry or tight.
11. Milk Makeup Kush Mascara
Mascara can be one of the most difficult makeup items to find a clean yet effective version of, however the Milk Makeup Kush Mascara fits the bill. Utilising conditioning hemp oil, heart-shaped fibres, and potent black pigment, Kush Mascara dramatically lengthens and strengthens lashes, with the criss-crossed bristle brush coating each lash individually to prevent that spider-lash look.
12. Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer
A full coverage, matte finish concealer, the Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer effortlessly conceals blemishes and discolouration. Enriched with mango seed and shea butters, the creamy formula is super blendable and nourishes the skin, preventing any flaking or creasing.
13. Milk Makeup Lip & Cheek Blush Mini
A creamy lip and cheek tint, the Milk Makeup Lip & Cheek Blush Mini provides pigmented, easily-blendable colour that can be applied on the go. Made with mango butter, avocado oil, and apricot oil, the Milk Makeup Lip & Cheek Blush Mini is a buildable formula; keep it sheer with a single swipe, or apply more for extra colour payoff.
Words by T. Angel
Feature image courtesy of Tim Walker for Vogue UK
