The Truth About Clean Beauty
Before I started my Instagram journey, I was never that bothered or aware of ‘clean beauty’. I had obviously heard about it, but never really knew what it meant for me and my skin. So here are some truths I have learnt and big thanks to Joanna at Facial Atelier who has opened my eyes:
Just because it’s says natural, it doesn’t mean it is
Natural and clean are words lots of brands use for their skincare ranges but actually there are no rules around these, so sometimes it’s just a big marketing ploy. People like to hear the words natural and non-chemical, but actually when you look at most brands (especially the big ones) they are anything but clean! Make sure you’re having a look at the ingredients used and what issue you’re trying to solve with the product you’re buying.
Essential Oils and Fragrance may smell great but they’re not good for sensitive skin
Many people really enjoy fragrance and essential oils in skincare. Good for you! I have loved certain products because they smell like a spa in a jar but guess what… it’s no good for my skin because mine is super sensitive. This is still a heavily debated topic in skincare, so if they work for you… great. But they don’t for me! The problem is that it’s very difficult to determine how pure an essential oil is so it’s hard to control. Try before you buy.
Reading an ingredient list can seem difficult but here are some tips
I used to not even bother looking at skincare ingredient lists, they were just full of jargon and seemed very overcomplicated. Now I know that ingredients are listed highest concentration to lowest, so if there is water as number 1 and the ingredient you’re actually looking for is number 27 it’s probably not worth it! You should also look out for Parabens and Sulphates as these are ingredients to avoid if you’re looking for a clean beauty product.
Things I am trying to avoid or at least be aware of in skincare
This is another one causing controversy but I am avoiding silicones. There is no denying that in the first instance, silicones feel nice! They give a silky texture to your skin. The problem is there is reason to believe that they don’t let air and nasties out of your skin. This can cause congestion and, whilst I have to be clear there is not significant proof of this, I am not gonna risk it.
Overall you just have to find what works for you
The final and most important thing I have learnt about skincare is you just have to find what works for you. You will get recommended a bunch of skincare, why different ingredients will have you looking like Beyonce and what will give you glass skin in a matter of hours… but ultimately, it’s about what works for you. Just remember that it generally takes more than a month for skin cells to turnover, so whatever you’re trialling, you won’t really know if it does or doesn’t work until you have used it for more than a month.
Below are my top 3 clean beauty products for my skin:
