How I discovered Clean Beauty

In 2015, I decided to change my lifestyle completely. I had gained over 20 kilograms after I got married within a span of just two years; the reasons being ‘different type of food that I wasn’t used to previously’ and the lack of physical activity. With the added weight came the problem of PCOS, and once when I didn’t get my period for three months, I decided to make a change- a complete lifestyle change. I started eating clean and starting physical activity. But I realised for a holistic lifestyle, I needed to change my mindset and of course, lead a more conscious lifestyle from things I eat to the products I am putting on my skin. That’s how started using clean beauty skincare. I discovered Clean Beauty only after I started eating clean.

What is Clean Beauty?

Clean Beauty refers to beauty products that do not contain key synthetic ingredients like parabens, synthetic fragrances, sulphates etc. Not all ingredients need to be natural or organic. To read about (clean beauty terms, click here). The clean beauty movement has finally now started getting the attention it deserves.

Is Clean Beauty Better?

I am not an expert or a doctor, and I do not know if there are any health benefits with Clean Beauty or Natural Skincare, but I feel better when I do not put any toxic ingredients into my body. I feel all my efforts are put in the right place. When I have made a shift and avoid food with preservatives and synthetics, moved to eco-friendly cleaning ingredients and sustainable fashion, I’m also going to be more aware of what I’m putting into my skin which is the largest organ in the body.

Benefits of Using Clean Beauty

I consider a good skincare regime a part of my self-care ritual. One of the biggest benefits has been the reduction in the exposure of harmful ingredients. Although, when I started out I worked from the place of fear, now I think more about balance. For me, if there was a favourite signature perfume I had, I use it once in a few months instead of using it often.

Clean Beauty also use high quality skin benefiting ingredients. If you have an otherwise healthy skin type, clean beauty products are ideal because of the clean ingredients used.

Problems with Natural Beauty or Skincare

Although clean beauty is a better option, many things need to be considered before making the switch. If you have sensitive skin, a patch test is always necessary. If you have active acne, visiting a dermatologist is more important than following the advice of beauty bloggers online. ‘Kitchen cosmetics’ have been passed through history and generations. The Egyptians used kohl and minerals, the Romans popularised bathing rituals and oils, and Ayurveda uses natural ingredients to boost health and skin. However, it is crucial to consider the authenticity of products when buying online. Honestly speaking, I’m not comfortable with the idea of putting pastes and powders prepared in someone’s kitchens on my face. I have sensitive skin which reacts to almost everything and that is the reason why I need to check for high-quality ingredients and consider the hygiene measures taken while packing the beauty products. Natural beauty products in India have seen tremendous growth in the last few years, and there are plenty of brands to choose from.

How to Choose

It’s best to take one step at a time because the switch is not possible overnight unless you have the luxury to dump all products and buy new ones the same day. The first ingredient to avoid can be Parabens. The products that are easiest and important to switch are:

Deodorant: this is an essential product because deodorants will stay for the longest without washing. Also, armpits have many lymph nodes that run up to the centre of the chest. Here is a good natural deodorant you can try.

Body Lotions: since body lotions cover your entire body and stay for long, swapping them first is a good option. You can try organic cold-pressed coconut oil or pure shea butter to begin with and then move to more expensive organic beauty labels.

Lipsticks: the reason why I’m putting lipsticks is that we happen to ingest as much as 87 milligrams of products per day. So, switching to natural ingredients becomes crucial.

Today, there are tonnes of resources online about clean beauty products. However, please know that every person has different skin type and concerns and no matter how much you trust a blogger or an influencer remember to check for important information regarding their skin and also if the reviews are a part of some promotional campaign. My reviews happen to be for free, and I don’t write about products I dislike.

If you’d like to read about my favourite organic skincare brand, here is a review. The products were gifted, and I’ve been a loyal customer after I tried them once.