Clean. Cruelty-Free. Ethical. Sustainable. Fair-Trade. What does it all mean + how does it affect what I purchase for my face?
Why Sustainable, Clean, + Ethical Matter to Me
As someone with sensitive skin, this triad of buzz words that are everywhere these days brands that are far from new to me. If you recall my decade long deodorant journey (read here), I’m not unfamiliar with the search for effective products that also use non-toxic ingredients + ethical practices.
I have oscillated between using clean beauty products for the better part of ten years. I’ve never fully committed because my skin is sensitive (making new products risky business), I’m a drugstore beauty kind of gal (their prices are what my wallet preferred) + I rarely commit to my skincare routine for more than a few weeks at a time.
Two weeks ago, I figured quarantine was as good a time as any to try new products for two reasons. 1) I tend to be a restless + ever-changing (blame my Pisces moon + Gemini rising for my BIG mutable energy) and trying new things is a helpful motivator during a time in which I otherwise can + will fall quickly out of routine. 2. During this time at home, however, I figured there was no time but the present to This spring, I decided to take that plunge. All the pretty color crush capsule colors + encouragnement from Josie didn’t hurt either.
What Brands Mean by Clean, Sustainable, + Ethical
1. Sustainable: Pollution + waster are two of the biggest contributors to climate change + … Each company below uses recycled materials or produces a product with ingredients that are less abrasive when thrown away, or helps me reduce my own waste.
2. Ethical: Many products are manufactured and sold to consumers at affordable prices without little thought about whether the workers who created these products were compensated fairly for their labor. An addition to fair labor ethical brands often abide by a code of animal rights. This means they do not conduct testing on animals + often do not use animal products, meaning many are also vegan.
3. Clean: The epiderma (aka our skin) is the largest organ in the body, and absorbs as much …. each day. It’s important that any product that comes in contact with your skin is one with as few chemicals and harsh toxins as possible. We want our skin to absorb only the best and blocks out the rest. The brands below have committed in some way to using as no paraben, phtalates, formaldehydes, or synthetic fragrances + for some, replace these with organically sourced plant based ingredients.
The OG’s
Pacifica, burts bees + thayers have been part of my line of for years.
Burt’s Bees
I have tried burts face wash, oil cleanser, essence for an extensive period of time.
I discontinued use of the essence after about a month because I was pretty sure it was not the same type of essence Mary Orton raves is the secret to helping your skin absorb all your serums + moisturizer.
The …. cream cleanser, I used for awhile, but after it went bad twice I stopped out of frustration. In a recent conversation with Josie, she mentioned that it may have lasted if I owned a make-up refrigerator. I had never thought of that, but if you’re looking for a fairly inexpensive + easy to get cleanser (Burts Bees is available as CVS, Walgreens, Target, etc.) storing in the fridge may help.
I liked, but didn’t love the oil cleanser (aslo a Mary Orton suggestion), but it was definitely a less harsh alternative to cream + foam cleansers which can sometimes strip my already dry skin. I’m currently using the dark spot corrector.
Pacifica
I first started using pacifica in 2015 when I received their underarm wipes in a subscription box. I was so stoked when I realized the brand was at Target. I’ve sinced tried many of their masks, their water stress rehab moisturizer – too thick for me but my sister who never betrays her tried and true products, loved it, ditched clean + clear, + now uses it + the cleanser. I also tried the kale cleaner, sea algae cleanser, + (my mom’s + my personal fave) the pineapple cleanser for combo skin.
Thayer’s
I use the thayers witch hazel as a daily toner and used to keep a small bottle + cotton pads in my bag during the school year to wipe my face when it was feeling extra greasy during the day.
What I’m Focusing On
Between genetics, puberty, drip from hair products, + being an athlete, I’ve been battling acne since 7th grade. I’ve always struggled not to pick at my skin – I still do. That meant the hyperpigmentation that plagued my underarms was also a problem for my face. Poor baby K had many an adorable yearbook photo besmirched by the dark spots that last long after my breakout had died down. Add that to a bad bout with Proactive (not only was my acne unfazed but the product lightened my skin) As i’ve aged, dryness has become more of an issue for me.
i’m hoping to create a new routine that includes cleanser, toner, serums/oils, + moisturizer or at night, cleanser, toner, + mask. (in that order because like PEMDAS order matters.)
What New Brands I’m Trying
Bliss
Fourth Ray Beauty
As a sister brand to ColourPop, we are dedicated to offering exceptionally high quality and effective skin care, all at an affordable price, so everyone can start their makeup routines with the best skin possible. Inspired by today’s consumer, we are committed to creating progressive formulas that are 100% cruelty-free, vegan and made with the latest on-trend performance ingredients and botanicals.
Fourth Ray Beauty
fourth ray beauty’s site also boasts an extensive glossary where you can shop by ingredient after you’ve read about the benefit of each + every one. i’m trying out their face milk. I love love love my currently moisturzing face milk, but it isn’t a clean product. We’ll see how theirs compares.
Cocokind (select items available at Target)
Cocokind is was recommended to me by a friend who is definitely takes the award for the clean anything guru. It is gluten+ peanut free, vegan (w. the exception of their beeswax products, cruelty free I also love that each product page on their site has a tab with instructions for how to recycle the container when you are finished using your new fave product.
She recommended I try the turmeric stick for my scars one night when we were at Target + y’all it works. I decided to grab a few other products from their site the other day. Shop them below.
Versed
I’ve been wanting to try reusable cotton pads for awhile but a friend told me a set she tried from Amazon didn’t really hold up. Keiko Lynn posted these from Versed a few months but they weren’t available at Target. Everyone’s post on earth day inspired me to mosy on over to the website and buy some.
Tula
A TON of bloggers + influencers stay talking about Tula. But every.single.one. has been white – womp – and so I never bothered to check them out. For me if a brand isn’t genuinely endorsed by a diverse array of women, I’m generally skeptical about its sensitivity to melanated skin. Two weeks ago, however, Chizi Duru put on their radiant glow with SPF 30 and mama, was GLOWING. If y’all know me, you know I swear by vitamic C. Anytime I use vitamin C regularly, my skin glows. Sunscreen is definitely something I missing from my lineup – the good ones are pricey – and to see this product go on dark skin w/o a crusty white residue was all the added convincing I needed. I snapped up a tube a few days later.
NU Beauty
Say hey to your new NU beauty brand ambassador. As I just noted above, I love love love Vitamin C serum. I tried one from Marshalls on a whim two years ago, and am never going back. I was about one week from running out of the last brand that had sent me a Vitamin C to try out when NU Beauty reached out. Most of their ingredients are organically sourced + I’ve been using it consistently for about two weeks now. Use SAVE15 to get 15% of your order!
Honorable Mentions
These are products I almost purchased but didn’t due to availability of stock or their similarity to other products I already own or purchased.
Okay! This post was way longer that I thought it would be! If you hung in this long, thanks a ton! I can’t wait to report back + let y’all know how it went!
