Browse any social media site and you’re sure to run across accounts dedicated to ‘clean’ or ‘all natural beauty products. The trend emerged about 10 years ago and has since picked up mainstream popularity, with no signs of slowing down. That’s because people now want to know exactly what’s in the products they put on their bodies and realize the importance of environmentally conscious choices.
The terms ‘clean’ and ‘natural’ are incredibly broad and can refer to many different things, however. Before we discuss how you can start a clean beauty routine at home, we need to explain exactly what it means.
What Is a Clean Beauty Routine?
It can mean that you would like to stop using products made with harsh chemicals, like preservatives or dyes, all of which can irritate your skin or affect your long-term health.
It can also mean that you would like to minimize your environmental footprint by using products made from all-natural or sustainable materials. Whatever your reason for desiring a clean beauty routine, we can help you get there in a couple of steps.
1. Throw Things Away
This first step may not seem environmentally friendly, but trust us — the best way to begin living a cleaner lifestyle is by purging all the bad stuff. That means going through your bathroom cabinets and tossing all the products that you haven’t used in months (or years). Look on the back of the labels and read the list of ingredients.
You can look up a detailed list of harmful chemicals, but three of the main ingredients to avoid are parabens, sulfates, and formaldehyde. In general, if the product is made with lots of words that you can’t pronounce, it is likely filled with bad chemicals.
2. Breathe for a Day or Two
Let your skin rest for a day or two and ditch your usual beauty routine. Give yourself an Epsom salt bath, take a cold shower, and only wash your face with water. You can apply a light layer of moisturizer if you’re feeling a little dry, but make sure it’s made with natural ingredients like shea butter or aloe vera.
This is a great way to cleanse your pores and let your body reset from all the harsh chemicals it’s accustomed to.
3. Make Better Beauty Choices
Now that you’ve rid yourself of the bad products, you can begin your new, cleaner beauty routine. Overall, that just means makingbetter choices. When you’re shopping for new products, avoid the ingredients we mentioned before. Instead, look for things made with ingredients you can pronounce.
Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and zinc oxide are all safe and are commonly found in ‘clean’ products. If you’d like to find out if your product is made without harsh chemicals, you can look it up in the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) database.
4. Go Au Natural
A truly clean beauty routine would mean ditching that face full of makeup and embracing a minimalist look. Less makeup means you’re exposing yourself to fewer chemicals every day. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea, ease yourself in by eliminating one or two products periodically. You may feel naked at first, but your skin will thank you in the long run — going natural lets your pores breathe, making your skin happier.
All you really need is a moisturizer with a daily SPF, some light coverage, and perhaps a bit of mascara. In fact, you can even ditch the mascara by opting for vegan eyelash extensions instead, which give your eyes natural-looking length and volume. Just make sure you take good care of them so they last a long time!
Be Conscious.
Overall, the best way to achieve a clean beauty routine is by remaining conscious and aware of your purchases. Do background research on brands, look up certain ingredients, and choose items that are packaged more sustainably. ‘Less is more’ when it comes to a cleaner beauty routine — that means using fewer products and wearing less makeup if you can.
