Clean Beauty

I don’t know about you, but I have noticed a change on social media regarding beauty over the last few months. So outdated are these Instagram tutorials with the layers of makeup. I love that its being replaced by more fresh faces, all confidently embracing their natural beauty. We have celebrities, renowned for their carefully styled looks by their makeup artists, now embracing the natural look and showing off their clean skin. I work in this industry as a makeup artist and I love makeup and know that makeup has its place, but I feel we lost sight a how beautiful we are underneath all the contour and highlights. Seeing more fresh cheeks and freckles makes me rejoice that people are feeling confident enough to allow their faces to shine. Seeing all of this unfold on social media made me question the products we use and to look at going back to basics and to look at Clean Beauty. I wanted to look at products that have less ingredients in them and thus being better for our health and for our planet.

What is clean beauty?

Clean beauty means the products that we are using are safe, non-toxic and ethically sourced. They are made with our health and the health of the environment in mind. More and more consumers are demanding transparent labelling so that they know what’s in their products with no BS. If we know what we are looking for we can be assured that the product that we are buying is safe for our use. Some of the labels I look out for are, The Soil Association as the UK's leading food and farming charity and organic certification body, .They ensure products are produced in the most sustainable and environmentally sound way. All companies that have been awarded their stamp of approval are then inspected annually.

Leaping bunny, The Leaping Bunny Program is the gold-standard in cruelty-free certification and signifies that no animal has been tested on. The product is guaranteed to be 100 percent free of new animal testing. All Leaping Bunny companies must be open to independent audits, and commitments are renewed on an annual basis.

Ecocert Obtaining an Ecocert certification allows a company to highlight that they are environmentally friendly and have socially conscious practices in place like their action against greenhouse gases.

How do I know if it’s a clean product?

When shopping for a cleaner product its essential to refer to the label and look at the ingredients. Usually they have less ingredients listed on the back and if you don’t know whether to trust this brand then look to see If it has a stamp of approval from a verified certification like the soil association, Peta or leaping bunny approved. Look for the logo and be sure of the quality, integrity and transparency of the products you're using. Certification is independent and rigorous. The association will have to review the entire manufacturing process including sourcing of ingredients, formulation procedures and premises, as well as packaging. so, you can be sure your certified product meets strict criteria wherever it was made.

How will it benefit us?

So, the benefits from using cleaner products are obvious. With up to 60% of what we apply being absorbed and penetrating our skin. The list of toxins that can be used in products ranges from formaldehyde, sodium laurel sulphate, preservatives and artificial fragrances to name a few. All these toxins can affect our health and the less we use the better. With people’s health and our immune systems clearly on our minds, don’t you think using Cleaner products makes more sense considering our skin is our largest organ?

Here are some of the products that I would highly recommend that I have had the pleasure of trying and are now staples in my home and in my makeup, kit recommend

Saint iris adriatica

Masking duo set

This beautiful limited edition Purity Paste is paired with this luxury masking brush. It is so soft and wonderful to use on your face or on your body After one use I could see my skin looking fresher and brighter. 5 mins and then wash off with warm water then a splash of cold water afterwards to plump up that skin.

Naya

Antioxidant defence booster

The gorgeous bottle contains this wonderful Defence Booster which adds an extra boost of antioxidant and protects your skin against environmental pollution. Boost collagen, fight sun damage, and firms skin, it dissolves and activates when mixed with your existing moisturizer or face serum. Applied regularly, skin appears brighter with less visible fine lines and wrinkles. Now with that check list who wouldn’t want to have this in their daily routine. There’s nothing to not love about this product.

Ren

Clean planet initiative, zero waste by 2021

Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Body Wash

20% reclaimed ocean plastic waste, and the rest is 80% recycled plastic bottles. They’ve even made a pump that’s metal-free and easier to recycle. REN are also striving to be zero waste by 2021. This gorgeous sulphate-free reviving body cleanser formulated with Atlantic Kelp Extract and energising Magnesium PCA has moisturising properties to help nourish, smooth and tone skin. it will awaken and refresh sluggish skin as well as your senses, for the ultimate uplifting shower experience.

Made for life organics

Made in the UK, in Cornwall, this wonderful brand is leaping bunny approved and a bcorp certification. That is super impressive. Their lovely Nourishing nail and cuticle oil is beautiful, used daily but can also be used on your hands and feet as an overnight mask. Think we need that now more than ever. It smells absolutely divine too. They have so many other products, make sure you check them out.

The Organic Pharmacy

This wonderful company is based in the UK and makes everything locally. We love home made products here at Frank. My absolute favourite is the Carrot Cleanser. Delicious and creamy and with clinically proven antioxidant activity and packed with organic ingredients your skin will be glowing. It effortlessly removes eye and face make-up, while extracts of Carrot, Rosemary and Calendula soften and balance. Who would have thought that the humble carrot had so many benefits?