22 clean skincare brands recommended by my instagram community
I got a few questions on Instagram about skincare products. To be honest I am really not the right person to ask and I would never pretend I am. Just to show you, this is what I use right now (on Hvar).
I do have a few more Ordinary products, one of those lockdown purchases. Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane, Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA. Complicated I know. It took me a while to understand them as well and honestly, I really think they made a difference.
When it comes to make-up, I got rid of all of it (I only had few items anyway), because they were long over their expiration date, however, I might be looking into some basic products soon.
That´s why I asked my Instagram community to help me out. An Oh my! they did. I love to see how many of you are passionate about skincare products and clean, natural cosmetics.
First What does natural and clean skincare even mean?
“Natural” or “organic” or “clean” are not legally protected terms. The market has become very confusing and some products say “organic”, although they also contain, for example, mineral oil-based substances in addition to natural raw materials. And chemicals does not mean that they are toxic.
“Chemicals are elements, or a combination of elements, with a specific composition and structure. All matter is made of chemicals!”
We need to pay attention to certificates on the packaging and ingredients. Code Check makes it easy for you, with filters for different ingredients you would like to avoid. For me is microplastics, animal products, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, SLS.
22 CLEAN SKINCARE BRANDS RECOMMENDED BY MY INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY
1. SKINTEGRA {CRO}
Skintegra was suggested twice. Laboratory formulation, design and production processes are all done in Croatia, while the recyclable, but unfortunately plastic packaging is of German and Italian origin.
“None of our products are tested on animals in any stage of production but are instead tested exclusively on human subjects, volunteers. Skintegra commits to the obligation that no third party shall ever conduct testing on animals on its behalf and that all raw materials are procured from the European Union and Switzerland where, in accordance with legislation from 2013, it is explicitly forbidden to test on animals.“
2. HEMPTOUCH {SLO}
Hemptouch is a Slovenian brand and the first ever CBD skincare range that has acquired a NaTrue certificate. NaTrue or Natural Organic Cosmetics Association is an international standard for natural cosmetics. I am definitely interested in their CBD balms.
Jana recommends: their face creams
3. SAPUNOTEKA {CRO}
Sapunoteka is a Croatian brand that offers a range of soaps, body and face creams, peelings … Ingredients like almonds, olives, lavender, immortelle are typical for Croatia. All their packaging is aluminium or glass. In Croatia, I have seen their products in DM.
4. URSA MAJOR {USA}
Ursa Major is a B-corp certified brands from USA. And they really clicl almost all the boxes. Unfortunately it is not available in any of EU online shops, so you would need to order from USA.
“Plant-powered active ingredients that do more in less time so you can get out the door and enjoy what really counts. No petrochemicals, SLS, SLES, parabens, synthetic fragrance or color, glycols, silicones or PEGs.”
To help offset their impact, they also partner with a range of organisations to protect and preserve the planet while promoting accessibility to the great outdoors.
5. REN CLEAN SKINCARE
All Ren Clean Skincare products are cruelty-free and lots of them are vegan and all are made in UK. Their Bottles made with Ocean Plastic, tubes made from post-consumer recycled plastic and designed for circular recycling. They took a Pledge to become Zero Waste by 2021, in that all of our packaging will be 100% recycled, recyclable and reusable.
6. NKM {DE}
NKM products are 100% natural, without fillers or extenders, vegan, cruelty-free, high quality, effective and with Swiss organic extracts.
“We want to offer an alternative to all those who care about herbal and environmentally friendly skincare.” They also offer ingredients and tools to make your own DIY products.
7. GLINA.SI {SLO}
Glina.si are clay products, from face masks to clay powder for brushing your teeth. Clay is a 100% natural component, cleansing (in and on the body it acts as a magnet, and attracts toxins, toxins and impurities).
I used to have clay toothpaste for year, different brand though, but would definitely recommend and go back to using it again. Clay is just such a natural and cleansing product, that I would love to try all of their products.
All solid products can be also ordered without packaging. They also offer you a free clay mask if you return 5 of their plastic containers. Read more about it here.
Jana recommends: their clay bar
8. ECOOKING {DK}
Ecooking is Danish down to earth luxury for your skin with an uncompromising focus on efficiency. Their vision is to create organic and natural products that care for you and our environment – at a price that makes them available to all. The series is Danish developed and originally hand-filled at our small factory.
Products are produced with thought for you and the environment. The packaging is recyclable: glass and plastic and the packing fill is made of corn and is, therefore, easily recycled with water.
Andja recommends: their face oils
9. GOOD MOLECULES {USA}
Good molecules is vegan and their products are not tested on animals. Their packaging is glass and they have 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 on the side of their boxes. This includes every ingredient and the amount used, large or small.
I think the only way to order their products is online and from US.
10. HERBIVORE {USA}
Herbivore botanicals is ultra Clean Synthetic Free Vegan Skincare.
“Every ingredient that we include in our products is there for a specific therapeutic reason. We do not use fillers of any kind, meaning that almost every ingredient in our products is an “active” ingredient. This results in pure, highly concentrated, and effective formulas that are a rarity in the skincare and cosmetics world today. All of our formulas are original, created and tested by us, on real people — never on animals and always from scratch. All of our products have an emphasis on organic, high quality, and food-grade ingredients.”
Available also on cultbeauty.co.uk.
Katarina recommends: Herbivore Botanicals face oils
11. SKIN FAIRYTALE {SLO}
Skin Fairytale is a Slovenian natural and vegan skincare. SkinFairyTale balms are intended for everyone who wants to alleviate skin conditions in a natural way. They contain completely natural, carefully selected ingredients of plant origin, which act synergistically on the skin. Due to good lubricity and light structure, they do not clog pores. They are a great alternative to synthetic products on the market as they do not contain parabens, mineral oils, silicones, preservatives, gluten, palm oil, lactose, lanolin, corticosteroids and are friendly to humans, the environment and animals.
12. KHADI AMLA {DE}
Khadi modern natural cosmetics with Ayurvedic natural healing. Their products are certified as Natural Cosmetics by the German Association of Industries and Trading Firms (BDIH). This way they guarantee you that khadi products are made exclusively from natural raw materials.
Khadi’s principles are as follows: No testing on animals of products or ingredients. No mineral oils. No synthetic or artificial colours. The packaging is kept to a basic minimum. Herbs are handpicked from the wilderness or organically grown. No child labour is involved and workers are paid fairly
Katarina recommends: Khadi Amla hair oils
And I used their natural hair dyes (brown henna) and loved it.
13. WILD DEO {UK}
Wild deodorant the new, sustainable Natural Deodorant delivered straight to your door. They are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, dermatologically tested and free from artificial fragrance, parabens, aluminium and sulfates.
Aluminium free with compostable, plastic free refills and a 100% effective formula. Wild case is made to be used again and again. Case is made from anodised aluminum and recycled plastic, this clever little device is designed to last. And Wild refills are 100% plastic free and slim enough to fit through your letterbox. You can get a subscription with them or just order refills when needed. Their mission is to shake up the throwaway culture of everyday bathroom products. Through our wildly sustainable products, we hope to redefine the future of personal care.
Katarina recommends and says: “It really does works, like no other natural deodorant, especially with a minimum content of baking soda”
14. LILI LOLO {UK}
Lily Lolo Mineral Cosmetics is a luxurious natural makeup thoughtfully formulated and made in England that pioneered the clean beauty movement with healthy, high-performing, beautiful cosmetics without compromise.
Katarina recommends and uses: Lili Lolo mascara
15. DRUNK ELEPHANT {USA}
Drunk Elephant’s mission is to deliver clinically-effective, biocompatible skincare formulated with both cutting-edge synthetic and natural ingredients; and without the ubiquitous “toxins”, sensitizers and irritants, such as the disruptive essential oils, that block the pathway to healthy skin. They pay close attention to pH levels and safety, as well as formulating with efficacious percentages of active ingredients. Their say that their goal is to teach the consumer that “natural” doesn’t automatically mean good and that every ingredient should directly and only benefit the health of our skin or the safety of the formulation.
“But what we leave out of our products is just as important as what we put into them, so you will never find what we call the Suspicious 6™ (essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, SLS) in our line. We believe that these six ubiquitous ingredients are at the root of almost every skin issue, and when they’re removed entirely from your routine.”
Katarina recommends: Drunk Elephant tinted suns cream (uses it as bb cream)
16. DR. HAUSCHKA {AT}
Dr.Hauschka is 100% certified, effective natural cosmetics, since 1967.
All of Dr. Hauschka environmental protection measures are based on four principles: Resource-saving handling and use of natural raw materials, if possible from biodynamic cultivation. Careful processing of these raw materials, taking into account the recycling concept. Use of substances or raw materials from renewable raw materials. Minimizing resource consumption and, where possible, using renewable energy sources.
They mainly use glass as packaging material for care products, followed by plastics and aluminium.
Katarina recommends and uses: Dr. Hauschka eyebrow gel
17. WELEDA {DE}
Weleda is the world’s leading manufacturer of certified natural cosmetics and pharmaceuticals for anthroposophic medicine.
Nina recommends: Weleda Skin Food
Katarina recommends and uses: Weleda toothpaste (aluminium packaging)
18. ALVERDE
Is a DM line of natural skincare products. It is really affordable and easily accessible. I am currently using their solid shampoo and “naturschön Olive” daily cream. Alverde is a great option and starting point or a budget option.
Alina recommends: clay mask with green tea
19. TAMICA DAMICA {SLO}
Tamica Damica is a small brand that makes cosmetics from lavender grown on 518m in a small village below the Kamnik Alps in Slovenia. I wouldn´t mind trying all their products.
Tina recommends: Lavender Hydrolat
20. ERE PEREZ {AU}
Ere Perez products are simple and made from powerful botanical ingredients to transform, nourish & create wellbeing. Products are not tested on animals. We are certified cruelty free by PETA & Choose Cruelty Free Australia. They are a predominantly vegan brand and do not use animal/animal-derived ingredients with the exception of almond mascara which contains beeswax.
Katarina recommends: blush (colour pot). “Very pigmented and long-lasting.”
21. RIVOLI GENEVE {CH}
Rivoli Geneneve an exclusive Swiss brand, owned by a family-run company, which gathers under a single roof the research, development and production of high-quality cosmetics. Their skincare range is registered by the Vegan Society. For those who do not mind paying a bit more for premium skin products.
21. ANTIPODES {NZ}
Antipodes is a Scientific Green Beauty company from New Zealand that uses pollution-free, results-driven native New Zealand ingredients in its award-winning plant-powered vegan beauty and certified organic premium skincare range.
“We believe in keeping it local when it comes to sourcing clean ingredients and producing our natural formulations. That includes local growers, beekeepers, printers and manufacturing, all of them close to our HQ in Wellington, New Zealand.”
Available also at at ecco-verde.
Katarina recommends: face oils and cleanser
Some shops where you can find those products in EU are ecco-verde, Naturisimo, Cult Beauty, DM.
Thank you!
All mentioned brands and many others are listed also on my Link list of sustainable brand and shops.
*This post is not sponsored in any kinds by any of the listed brands.
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