10 ‘Conscious Beauty’ Products That Really Work, According to Adore Beauty Staff
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Sceptical about 'clean beauty'? I don't blame you.
With so much 'clean-washing' and fear-mongering out there, it's really hard to know what clean beauty even means.
The language can get really complicated, too.
Natural. Green. Organic. Chemical Free. Vegan. Paraben Free. Cruelty Free. Sometimes, these phrases blend into meaningless, and sometimes they mean a whole lot.
Here’s the scoop: Clean beauty doesn’t have to mean living your life sunning your nether-regions, blending mung bean powder into smoothies and forgoing Netflix and Chill for Savasana and Sauerkraut.
Of course, you do you, but for most of us, it's about balance.
Whether you wanna call it 'conscious' beauty, vegan beauty, natural or clean, all products within Adore's Clean Beauty category are:
- Cruelty free
- Paraben free
- Mineral Oil free
- Phthalate free
- Polyethylene (microbead) free
- Formaldehyde free
Cool, so what are the best vegan beauty products on AB? And do they work?
Keep scrolling for 10 of our favourite conscious beauty buys, as rated by AB staffers and Beauty IQ contributors!
The Best Clean Skincare Products To Try Right Now.
Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum.
What:
Why we love it:
Our Senior Brand Marketing Manager for Skincare & Wellness Ellie says applying this serum to her oily but dehydrated skin "feels like the skin version of chugging down a big glass of water."
"While I’m not one for Insta-filters, Teddy, Grown Alchemist's Head of Retail, said this serum was like an Instagram filter in real life. And after just one week of using it, I had to agree," she wrote in her Beauty IQ Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum review article.
"My skin texture looked more even, and my redness reduced. When I finish my skincare routine, I swear my forehead lines don’t look as deep or defined."
KORA Organics Berry Bright Vitamin C Eye Cream.
What:
Why we love it:
Considering the KORA Turmeric Glow Moisturiser sold out days after launching, I'm not surprised I also love the new(ish) eye cream.
Same eco-friendly refillable pods. Same crystal packaging (but in an even cuter shade of ruby pink). Same antioxidant brightening effect, but for your eye bags.
The kadadu plum vitamin C formula has the perfect nourishing consistency that sinks in immediately but leaves a soft, diffused, light-reflecting finish to the skin.
It's also certified organic by COSMOS, vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without artificial fragrance and colours if that's your jam.
The texture is glorious for prepping dehydrated under eyes before applying concealer. It reminds me of the cult Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Eye Base, only brighter.
P.S. For a limited time, you can also SAVE 15% when you buy the limited edition KORA Organics Berry Bright Refill & Save (the planet!) Bundle with the eye cream and refill pod together!
Shop the KORA Organics Berry Bright Vitamin C Eye Cream here:
Our Current Favourite Clean Hair Products.
Alterna Hair Replenishing Moisture Intensive Ceramide Shots.
What:
Why we love it:
Ceramides get a lot of air time in skin care, but they can also strengthen dry and damaged hair!
These biodegradable hair serum 'shots' or 'boosters' reduce frizz and increase shine and softness, and are so versatile.
I like to twist the capsules and apply one or two onto damp hair before styling, or just one into dry ends. You can even turn your conditioner into a deep hydrating mask by mixing in a capsule in the shower.
They're also handy to chuck in your travel bag instead of packing a whole hair serum or oil bottle for your next holiday.
Aveda Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner.
What:
Why we love it:
AB's Head of Planning Amelia uses this blonde shampoo and conditioner religiously once a week to maintain her colour.
"This Aveda blonde shampoo smells amazing! It leaves my hair feeling silky soft, which can be very hard for highly-bleached blondes like me," she wrote in her Beauty IQ review article here.
"Plus, it managed to tame my flyaways - a nice bonus I wasn't expecting. The Aveda blonde shampoo is now a part of my weekly haircare routine. Sorted."
Shop the Aveda blonde shampoo (and the full blonde range) here:
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub.
What:
Why we love it:
I'd be laying out (in the shade, of course) on my own private super yacht right now if I had a buck for every time I've recommended this scalp scrub.
The deep-cleansing pre-shampoo treatment exfoliates the scalp, lifts grime and product buildup, rebalances the scalp and helps clear dry skin flakes.
It also lathers up like a bougie shampoo (no gritty scrub particles here!) and smells like an attractive person who's just showered using a luxe body wash.
P.S. Right now, you can buy the scrub in our limited edition Scrub and Relax Hair Bundle and get an O&M hair wrap towel for $7.50. Bargain!
Our Top Clean & Vegan Makeup Picks.
Eye Of Horus Lash Lift Mascara.
What:
Why we love it:
Got sensitive eyes or find some mascaras make your eyes water?
Beauty IQ contributor swears by this cruelty-free, vegan mascara.
"Eye Of Horus Bio Lash Lift Mascara is the mascara I repurchase over and over," she wrote in her Beauty IQ article here.
"The precision of the wand and the way it separates every single lash to build volume without clumping had me at first swipe."
Nude by Nature Soft Focus Illuminator.
What:
Why we love it:
AB's Content Producer Sadaf has been using this liquid highlighter for a couple of years, and loves the juicy radiance it gives her skin.
"A makeup artist got me onto this product, and it delivers exactly what the name suggests," she says.
"It gives you a healthy luminous shine, rather than giving you a glittery or iridescent 'I'm wearing highlighter' look."
"You can wear it day or night, mix it into foundation or moisturiser, or apply on top of makeup."
Staff Favourite Clean Bodycare Products.
SALT BY HENDRIX Dream Polish.
What:
Why we love it:
Yes, your body deserves skin care just as much as your face!
Beauty IQ contributor Alisha wrote about how much she rates this Instagrammable body exfoliant in her bodycare routine article here.
"The texture of this body exfoliant is unlike anything I’ve tried before. It's a cross between a soufflé and a jelly, that somehow leaves your skin with the most incredible smooth glow," she said.
"It's heavily-scented, which I love, but those sensitive to fragrance, take note. This is my go-to when I’m in the mood for some serious self-care."
"I’m talking the whole shebang: Scented candles, Snoh Aalegra on replay, and this luxurious polish followed by an extra large mug of hot chocolate."
Weleda Skin Food.
What:
Why we love it:
This cult product hardly needs an introduction, but I'll give one to you anyway.
With over 600 customer reviews and a 4.6 out of 5 stars, the multi-use cream contains 100% natural ingredients including soothing chamomile, rosemary, lanolin and sweet almond oil.
I personally love using it as a hand cream or to get rid of rough, dry skin on knees and elbows, but it has so many uses.
Face cream. Body moisturiser. Lip treatment. Hydrating mask. Applied on rough patches and flaky spots. The world is your oyster.
Want to read more clean beauty related articles? Check out these ones below:
