How to Transition to a Clean Beauty Routine

In 2022, a survey by Global Cosmetic Industry revealed that 64% of consumers say sustainability is very important when choosing beauty products. Compared to data insights from previous surveys, more people are aware of the health, wellness, and environmental risks associated with conventional beauty products. From makeup and skincare to personal hygiene essentials, many contain aggressive chemical ingredients that may lead to various diseases, including cancer. In response, creating a clean beauty routine has gained traction, allowing women and men to safeguard not only their health, but the planet’s well-being, too.

The Basics of Building a Clean Beauty Routine

Are you ready to reduce your exposure to chemicals? Here’s how to kickstart your clean beauty journey.

Step 1: Know the Facts

The initial step in building a clean beauty routine is to expand your knowledge of the ingredients commonly found in beauty products. Exposure to parabens, for instance, can disrupt hormones, impair fertility, contribute to birth defects, and increase the risk of cancer development. Another example is phthalates or plasticizers, which can damage the kidneys, liver, lungs, and reproductive system. They also contaminate the environment through leaching, oxidation, and migration during product use and storage.

Ultimately, familiarizing yourself with the different harmful substances can help you make wiser, more ethical purchasing decisions.

Step 2: Review And Uncomplicate Your Current Routine

Less is more in the pursuit of a clean beauty regimen. Simplify your collection by choosing products with multiple uses and benefits. For example, opt for versatile tinted moisturizers with SPF, lip and cheek stains, and multipurpose oils. Embrace the idea of quality over quantity with wide-open arms, which not only saves money, but also reduces clutter and exposure to harmful ingredients.

Step 3: Read and Understand Labels Before Purchasing
Checking product labels is crucial when transitioning to a clean beauty routine. Certifications from COSMOS or USDA Organic can help you identify products that meet the highest standards of natural and organic formulations. You can also work with a dermatologist and trichologist to find products that align with your clean beauty preferences while achieving your aesthetic goals (anti-aging, acne control, seborrheic dermatitis management, etc.)

Step 4: Look for Natural Ingredients
Nature offers a seemingly endless selection of nourishing and rejuvenating ingredients without compromising your health and the environment.

Best natural ingredients for skin wellness:

• Coconut oil: Hydration and anti-inflammatory
• Green tea: Sun protection and anti-aging
• Tea tree oil: Antimicrobial and acne-fighting
• Centella asiatica: Wound healing
• Shea butter: Itch relief, hydration, and anti-inflammatory

Best natural ingredients for hair care:

• Coconut oil: Makes hair stronger from the inside out
• Honey: Moisturizes and addresses scalp conditions (flakiness and itching)
• Avocado oil: Softens hair and enhances shine
• Olive oil: Replenishes moisture in dry, damaged hair
• Burdock oil: Promotes hair growth

Step 5: Buy From Sustainable Beauty Brands
Supporting brands that advocate for sustainability is essential to building a clean beauty routine. A shining example is Aveda, an American cosmetics company that practices ethical sourcing, uses eco-friendly packaging, and is dedicated to minimizing its carbon footprint. Further committing to the cause, the brand has raised over $60 million for environmental initiatives since 1999.

Step 6: Lastly, Make Inner Health Your Main Focus
True beauty radiates from within, and taking care of your health – not just your skin and hair – is a major component of any beauty regimen. Stay hydrated with water, eat a nutritious diet, break a sweat, and avoid stress from overwhelming you. Healthy habits contribute to glowing skin, strong hair, and overall well-being, making them vital to your clean beauty journey.

Takeaway

People “poison themselves” every day, as a study finds that over 50% of beauty products in the US contain harmful chemicals. By transitioning to a clean beauty routine, we can minimize our exposure to toxic substances, enhance our appearance naturally, and help reduce the cosmetic industry’s environmental impact by lowering demand.