Ready to upgrade to a clean skincare brand, but not sure where to start? Trying to figure out which skincare brands are truly “clean” can be time consuming, that’s why I’ve compiled a list of vetted skincare brands.
*Affiliate Disclosure: I do have affiliate links in this blog post. If you purchase something from my link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. This comes at no cost to you, but is paid by the company. I do not take becoming an affiliate with any company lightly. If I am, it’s because I believe in the company and their product.
*Suzi(Gurl Gone Green) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
What is a clean skincare brand?
“Clean” is subjective, however, it indicates that at a minimum, the lproduct is free of toxins. To find out how “clean” a skincare brand is, may require further research.
Every brand has their own definition of clean, however, a skincare brand that classifies themselves as clean will usually have some level of transparency with the ingredients they use and their products should be free from toxins.
Ingredients that I wouldn’t want to see in a clean skincare brand include:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrance
- Triclosan
- PEGs
- Drying Alcohols
- Butylated Hydroxyanisol (BHA)
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Ethanalomines
- Mineral Oil
- Hydroquinone
- Oxybenzone
- Polysorbate80
Are there organic skincare brands?
Organic skincare brands exist, however, just because a product contains organic ingredients, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe or effective. Being verified by a third-party organization can bring peace of mind as to the quality of ingredients used; effective combinations of those ingredients is another discussion!
According to the USDA, to receive the “organic” label designation, a product must contain a minimum of 95 percent organic ingredients.
To receive the “Made with Organic _____” label designation, a product must contain at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding salt and water), with a number of detailed constraints regarding ingredients that comprise the nonorganic portion.
Related Content: Best Non Toxic Skincare Products For Teens
18 Best Skincare Brands
Alpyn Beauty
Alpyn Beauty uses wildcraft ingredients from Jackson Hole, Wyoming which is where the formulas are also created. They are the first skincare brand to sustainably hand-harvest wild plants and infuse them into clean clinical formulas.
Best For
All skin types, mature skin. For those who like products that use ingredients from nature for skincare results. Budget friendly skincare products.
Ingredients
Alpyn Beauty uses wildcrafted ingredients in their products which are picked responsibly with care.
The Alpyn Beauty brand is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council which ensures that Alpyn’s paper and packaging come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.
As you may expect, Alpyn Beauty products are fragrance-free, gluten-free and vegan.
Price Range
$28.00-$62.00
Standout Products
- Super Peptide & Ghostberry Repair Moisturizer
- PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer
- Juneberry & Collagen Hydrating Cream Cleanser
- Willow & Sweet Agave Plumping Lip Mask
- Wild Nettle & Niacinamide Firming Serum.
Where To Shop
You can find Alpyn Beauty products on their website and at retailers such as Sephora, Credo Beauty, Beauty Heroes and Detox Market.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN15 to save 15%.
Related Content: Alpyn Beauty Review
Ursa Major
Ursa Major was birthed out of adventurous days on the trail and created to help anyone, anywhere, get a “healthy mountain glow”. Ursa Major’s forest-infused formulas are pure, powerful and refreshing.
Best For
Those that prefer a simple skincare routine. Products can be unisex. Budget friendly skincare. Great for all skin types.
Ingredients
Ursa Major doesn’t use petrochemicals, SLS, SLES, parabens, synthetic fragrance or color, silicones or PEGs. They are also one of the first Plastic Negative clean skincare brands and a Certified B Corp.
Price Range
$14.00-$84.00
Standout Products
- Golden Hour Recovery Cream
- Sublime Sage Spray Deodorant
- Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum
- Mountain Glow Golden Serum
- Morning Mojo Bar Soap
- Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant.
Where To Shop
You can find Ursa Major products in their website and at a variety of spas and boutiques, along with The Detox Market, Beauty Heroes and Credo Beauty.
Related Content: Ursa Major Review
Beautycounter
Beautycounter is setting a new standard for clean with their in-house team of scientists that screen their ingredients and packaging so they can deliver clinically proven results, unmatched ingredient safety, sustainably designed products, and on top of that they are constantly advocating for more health-protective legislation.
Best For
All skin types. They have several skincare lines depending on what your skin needs are. Great clean skincare line for those that like third party testing.
Ingredients
Beautycounter’s formulations are evaluated for contaminants in The Never List™ which consists of 2,800+ questionable ingredients that are prohibited from their formulations such as phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde. Every ingredient, including flavors, preservatives and fragrance is disclosed on their website or on the product packaging.
- EWG Verified
- Certified B Corporation
- Leaping Bunny certified
- Chemical Footprint Project
Price Range
$22.00-$109.00
Standout Products
- Countertime Line
- Reflect Mask
- All Bright C Serum
- All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner
- Sugarbuff Body Polish in Lemongrass
Where To Shop
You can find Beautycounter products on their website and at stores in NY and in Denver, through independent Beautycounter brand advocates, and at select Ulta Stores.
Related Content: Beautycounter Product Hits and Misses
Aleavia
Aleavia was started by Kelly Graham who was desperate to find a solution for her daughter’s persistent eczema. The ultra-pure formulas bring healing through prebiotics that feed the beneficial microbes on our skin.
Best For
All skin types. Budget friendly. Great for those that want to help calm inflammation in their skin and feed their skin with good bacteria, since this is a prebiotic skincare line.
Ingredients
Aleavia’s products are Non-GMO, free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfates, dyes and artificial fragrances and 100% cruelty free.
Price Range
$19.99-$24.99
Standout Products
- Body Cleanse
- Hand washes
- Purifying Facial Cleanser
Where To Shop
You can find Aleavia products on their website and also through Amazon and a variety of boutique stores.
Use code GGG15 to save 15%!
Related Content: Aleavia Prebiotic Skincare Review
OSEA
OSEA combines seaweed, a superfood rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients with the most renowned skincare actives to create spa inspired and clinically proven products.
Best For
All skin types. They create clean effective products that don’t have overwhelming scents but are light overall. Spa worthy products.
Ingredients
OSEA’s products do not contain any questionable ingredients, they are also Vegan & Cruelty-free, and Climate Neutral.
Price Range
$18.00-$108.00
Standout Products
- Undaria Algae Body Oil
- Undaria Algae Body Butter
- Seabiotic Water Cream
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Blemish Balm
- Ocean Cleanser
- Anti-aging Body Balm
- Seaglow Resurfacing Scrub.
Where To Shop
You can find OSEA products on their website and in most major retailers including Nordstrom, Target, Ulta Beauty and clean beauty retailers such as The Detox Market, Credo Beauty, Beauty Heroes, Blue Mercury and more!
Use code gurlgonegreen10 to save 10%!
Related Content: OSEA Malibu Review
True Botanicals
True Botanicals formulates with the purest, functional plant actives to create high performing products for glowy, resilient, youthful-looking skin.
Best For
All skin types. Mature skin, oily, dry and sensitive skin. They also have a great line for rosacea skin. They are big into using research to drive their formulations for their skincare products.
Ingredients
True Botanical products carry the MADE SAFE® seal, the most comprehensive safety standard available, which certifies they are made without 6,500 toxic chemicals known to harm human and environmental health.
- Leaping Bunny
- PETA certified
- Non-GMO
Price Range
$24.00-$188.00
Standout Products
- Pure Radiance Oil
- Pure Radiance Body Oil
- Moisture Lock Overnight Mask
- Chebula Extreme Cream
- Microbiome Essence
- Vitamin C Booster
- Chebula Active Serum.
Where To Shop
You can find True Botanicals on their website and select Nordstrom stores, The Detox Market, Ulta Beauty, Credo Beauty, Beauty Heroes along with other retailers.
Related Content: True Botanicals Top 10 Products
Maya Chia
Maya Chia as the name suggests, contains chia oil which is the mainstay of all their products. Their extraction method for Chia oil magnifies their products’ potency delivering the purest and most effective form of this powerhouse ingredient.
Best For
All skin types, especially dry, mature skin. Driven by skincare research as well and finding the most natural/effective ingredients for the skin.
Ingredients
The vast majority of their products are vegan-friendly, Leaping-Bunny certified. Their products are never formulated with parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, PEGS or SLSs.
Price Range
$42.00-$129.00
Standout Products
- The Advanced Eye Response Complex
- Power Fol Multi- Correctional Eyelash & Eyebrow Growth Serum
- Super Naked Plum Oil
- The Super Lift Vitamin C-More
- Straight A Serum.
Where To Shop
You can find Maya Chia on their website and retailers such as The Detox Market, Beauty Heroes and Credo Beauty.
Related Content: Maya Chia Review
Follain
Follain is now a part of the Credo Beauty brand portfolio. Follain doesn’t rely on a single “hero” ingredient, instead their multitasking formulas combine clean actives to address the most common skin concerns.
Best For
All skin types, budget friendly.
Ingredients
Follain products meet Credo’s Clean Standard for safety and sustainability.
- EWG Verified
- Cruelty-Free
- Derm-Tested
Price Range
$8.00-$40.00
Standout Products
- Refillable Everything Soap
- Firming Serum
- Brightening Serum
- Hand Cream
Where To Shop
You can Follain on-line at Credo Beauty.
Indie Lee
Indie Lee products are grounded in nature, supported by science and inspired by life.
Best For
All skin types.
Ingredients
Indie Lee products are Forest Stewardship Council certified, Cosmos certified, a third party global certification regulated by leaders in biodiversity safety and sustainability. Their products are also Leaping Bunny certified, paraben free, phthalate free, and they ban 1300+ ingredients.
Price Range
$16.00-$135.00
Standout Products
- Squalane oil
- Brightening Cleanser
- Brightening Cream
- Mineral Sunscreen
Where To Shop
You can find Indie Lee on-line at their website and at retailers such as Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, Beauty Heroes, Credo Beauty and Amazon.
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Botanicals creates plant-based formulas with proven clinical results that are safe for sensitive skin.
Best For
All skin types, somewhat budget friendly and you can find them on Amazon.
Ingredients
Certified vegan and cruelty free. Created without synthetic ingredients, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates, chemicals, fillers, animal testing, mineral oils, petroleum.
Price Range
$14.00-$88.00
Standout Products
- Pink Cloud Jelly Cleanser
- Lapis Facial Oil
- Blue Tansy Mask
- Moon Dew Eye Cream.
Where To Shop
You can find Herbivore Botanicals on their website and at Nordstrom, Sephora, Credo Beauty and Amazon.
Juice Beauty
Juice Beauty blends the best of nature and science, redefines the chemistry of natural formulations, all while delivering clinically proven results.
Best For
All skin types, also more budget friendly and easier to find.
Ingredients
Juice Beauty products are formulated with ingredients from organic farms. This also means you won’t find any parabens, petroleum, propylene or butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances in their products.
- USDA Organic
- Certified Vegan
- Leaping Bunny Certified
- EWG Verified
- PETA Cruelty-Free certified
Price Range
$12.00-$80.00
Standout Products
- Stem Cellular Collection
- SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer
- SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen
Where To Shop
You can find Juice Beauty on their website and at Target, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Credo Beauty and other retailers.
Josh Rosebrook
Josh Rosebrook is an integrity-founded skin, hair and body care company that creates bio-designed, research-driven formulas.
Best For
All skin types, those who love to deep dive into natural ingredients and what they do for the skin.
Ingredients
The ingredients in Josh Rosebrook products are biodegradable, fair trade, consciously grown, harvested, and produced. Leaping Bunny Certified.
Price Range
$19.00-$80.00
Standout Products
- Active Enzyme Exfoliator
- Vital Balm Cream
- C Complex Serum
- Nutrient Day Cream SPF 30
- Cacao Antioxidant Mask
- C Body Cream
Where To Shop
You can find Josh Rosebrook on their website and at Sephora, Ulta Beauty, The Detox Market, Beauty Heroes, Credo Beauty and other leading retailers.
Pai
Pai is the pioneer of sensitive skincare. Their products are created with pure natural ingredients to deliver results.
Best For
Dry sensitive skin and acne skin.
Ingredients
Certified B Corp, certified by COSMOS (Soil Association), Cruelty Free International and The Vegan Society. They also independently patch test their products to make sure they’re suitable for both sensitive and eczema-prone skin.
Price Range
$29.00-$109.00
Standout Products
- Rosehip Bioregenerate Rejuvenating Overnight Face Oil
- C-2 Believe Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer
- Phaze Cleanser
Where To Shop
You can find Pai on their website and at Sephora, The Detox Market, Credo Beauty, Amazon, Beauty Heroes and other leading retailers.
One Love Organics
Founder Suzanne LeRoux’s appreciation of nature, strategic abilities, and serious love of a good serum was the catalyst for One Love Organics. Suzanne wanted to create clean products that were effective, luxurious, elegant and supportive of a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Best For
All skin types.
Ingredients
Cruelty-free, Green America gold certified business, ECOCERT/COSMOS® licensed manufacturing facility.
Price Range
$25.00-$79.00
Standout Products
- Brand New Day
- Skin Dew
- Skin Savior
- Botanical A Bio-Retinol Night Serum
- Botanical C Facial Serum
- Love + Eyebright Serum.
Where To Shop
You can find One Love Organics on their website and at Ulta Beauty, Detox Market, Blue Mercury, Credo Beauty, Beauty Heroes and other leading retailers.
Wildling
Wildling focuses on skin rituals such as gua sha, cupping, and skincare products that deliver transformative results and benefit skin, body, and mind.
Best For
All skin types.
Ingredients
Wildling products are gluten free, organic, and vegan.
Price Range
$24.00-$210.00
Standout Products
- Gua Sha Tool
Where To Shop
You can find Wildling on their website and at Credo Beauty, Blue Mercury, and other retailers.
Related Content: Wildling Empress Gua Sha Stone (How To Use It)
Odacité
Odacité was created by Valerie Grandury, a breast cancer survivor, intent on removing all toxic ingredients from her life. Odacite is a skin-compatible fusion of raw nature and clinical actives.
Best For
All skin types
Ingredients
Odacité products contain ingredients made in California, vegan and cruelty free, germ-tested and hypoallergenic.
Price Range
$36.00-$165.00
Standout Products
- SPF 50 Mineral Drops
- BA + S Serum Eye Contour
- An Autumn Of The World.
Where To Shop
You can find Odacité on their website and at Credo Beauty, The Detox Market, Blue Mercury, Amazon and other retailers.
Marie Veronique
Marie Veronique is focused on delivering microbiome-friendly, efficacious skincare products for every skin type and tone with an emphasis on the science of age delay.
Best For
All skin types, especially sensitive skin, acne prone and rosacea.
Ingredients
Marie Veronique works with suppliers that provide high-quality ingredients that don’t test on animals. In an effort to keep their carbon footprint to a minimum, they source from companies that are in close proximity to them.
Price Range
$22.00-$460.00
Standout Products
- Barrier Restore Serum
- Soothing B3 Serum
- Redness Relief
- C-Therapy Serum
- Pure + E.O. Free Oil Cleanser
Where To Shop
You can find Marie Veronique on their website and The Detox Market, Credo Beauty, Amazon and other retailers.
Three Ships
Three Ships was birthed out of the desire to be the most effective natural beauty brand in the world, not just another greenwashed skincare brand. Now they are known not just for skincare but skin health.
Best For
For all skin types, budget friendly, you can find it at Whole Foods
Ingredients
Three Ships products are vegan, leaping bunny certified, cruelty-free, and free of over 2,500 synthetic ingredients of concern. They are also a certified B Corp.
Price Range
$15.00-$42.00
Standout Products
- Brighter Days Eye Masks
- Dew Drops
- Buttercream Hydrating Lip Mask.
Where To Shop
You can find Three Ships on their website or at The Detox Market, Credo Beauty, Beauty Heroes and select retailers in Canada.
Did I miss your favorite clean skincare brand? Share it below!
If you liked this post, check out these past posts:
- 15 Truly Non Toxic and Clean Makeup Brands
- Best Talc Free Makeup Brands
- 16 Affordable Clean Beauty Brands
Thank you for the Clean Beauty Brands. I was surprised that Osmia Skincare was not on the list. Great clean products from a company that cares.
Hi Cathy,
I have used Osmia in the past but haven’t used them for a long time.
Hi Suzi! I do not intend to be intrusive at all, but I was curious why you haven’t used the brand in a long time. I have been looking into their products and I also really value your blog and I want to make the most informed decisions for my skin. Thanks for the consideration of sharing your thoughts! 🙂
Hi Farra,
What brand are you referring too? I didn’t see you mention a name in the comment. 🙂
Thank you for this detailed list. I am saving this to go back to when looking for new brands to try.
Hi Kimberly,
You’re so welcome!
Hi Suzi,
What do you think of Acure and Andalou ? I appreciate the different price points with your review. I’d enjoy seeing more budget friendly skincare and cosmetic reviews.
Thanks,
Erika
Hi Erika,
We are working on a budget friendly guide. I think Acure and Andalou are decent brands for their price points. Not all products are stellar I’ve found when testing them out, but they are cleaner than a lot of products on the market now. I’ve noticed some of Andalou products have “natural fragrance” in them. I would ask them specifically what is in the natural fragrance. If it’s synthetic or essential oils.
The guide would be very helpful. That’s a good point. I’ll have to look into that. Thank you for your help.