Skin Essentials - non toxic skincare and my no nonsense skincare regime
Why I’m More Careful Than Ever About What Goes on My Skin
Skin is our largest organ (yes, it’s an organ), and it absorbs more than we think - in some cases, directly into the bloodstream. And unfortunately, the personal care industry isn’t as well-regulated as we’d like to believe.
It’s been years since I made the move to cleaner skincare products, and made the connection that what I put on my skin is just as important as what I put in my body. Admittedly, a lot of my initial interest was driven by finding safe solutions for my extremely sensitive and eczema-prone skin - but the more I learnt about the ingredients and became aware of their effect on our hormone system, the more careful I naturally became in my choices.
Many mainstream products contain ingredients linked to hormone disruption, skin irritation, environmental harm, and even cancers. The more I learned about beauty products, ingredients, and the industry from my sister (an editorial makeup artist), the less I could ignore it. It changed how I shop (admittedly from her shelves!) and ultimately what makes it onto my bathroom cupboards and into my makeup bag
Why I’ll Pay More for Clean Skincare, and Transparent Brands
It goes deeper than just ingredients and their influence on my skin and hormones. While that is always my primary motivation, I’m also deeply committed to ethical sourcing (fair labour, responsible supply chains), sustainability (minimal-waste packaging, support for environmental conservation), and transparency (educating consumers so they can make better, informed choices).
Conventional over-the-counter products often:
Come in plastic-heavy, single-use packaging.
Contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (also known as obesogens) and cheap fillers that can sabotage weight loss and hormone balance efforts
Create more waste when we buy multiple “miracle” items that promise the earth and rarely deliver!
Wash straight down the drain into our water systems, where certain chemicals can harm aquatic life, disrupt reproduction in fish, and persist in the environment long after we’ve rinsed them off.
The holy grail in skincare for me is something that feels good on my skin, measures up ethically, and leaves no negative impact on my health, hormones, or the environment.
Stores & Brands I Trust
Recently I had the pleasure of stumbling upon a Credo Beauty store when I was in the U.S. on holidays. As I walked past the green store front, something about the shop floor layout called out to me. The fact it was more minimalist and less chaotic than Sephora appealed to all my senses, as well as seeing they stocked many of my favourite clean brands. As I pushed the door open during an afternoon lull, I almost ran back out it as I was met by an army of idol and enthusiastic staff members who insisted on sharing the philosophy behind the store, telling me about their brands, current offers and how they differed from every other makeup store out there (we both knew they were talking about Sephora). The only way I could ensure they’d leave me alone was to announce I wasn’t there to buy that day, I was on a research mission, by the end of which I concluded they had me the moment they talked ‘clean’ to me..
Unlike Sephora, where I have to read every label and figure out which products meet my standards and which don’t (while being elbowed in the ribs by gaggles of young girls pouting their lips and touching up their mascara), at Credo I knew everything already passed the test.
Credo are not just selling makeup and skincare; they’re shifting the way people think about beauty altogether.
They stock products that are safe for both people and the planet, banning over 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients through their Clean Standard. That means no parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, other common endocrine disruptors or time and energy lost wondering whether “fragrance” is code for hormone chaos.
Sadly Credo is not in Europe (I asked). On this side of the pond, Cult Beauty (U.K./EU), Oh My Cream (EU) or Sephora is probably your best bet to find some of the brands I’ve vetted and mentioned below. If however you’re trying a new product or one not mentioned here, do your research, and or use the EWG’s skin deep database to see if it’s clean or not
Clean products might feel pricey, but they’re worth it!.
My No-Nonsense, Skincare Regime
I’m busy. I don’t have the time or inclination for 12-step routines twice a day. What matters to me is what works, is clean, and has me ready to leave the house or hop on a call in 10 minutes.
Thanks to my sister - who’s an editorial make-up artist - I’ve had access to an embarrassing number of lotions, creams and serums to test over the years. On any given day of the week, she receives boxes of free loot to try in her kit, each brand hoping for her endorsement, or that of the celebrity she’s working on.
Suffice to say she’s spoiled me with formulas she knows will work for my skin and meet my standards. Some labels have stood the test of time, others have been cast aside as more newbies have come to the market and my demands and awareness increased. Here’s a straight-up rundown of what I know, have tried and genuinely love to date:
Morning:
First Oil: A few drops of Annee de Mamiel Phyto-P Elixir applied to clean skin. It contains calendula and amaranth, smells uplifting and is said to calm and balance hormonal skin. Even if it said none of that, i’d still use it because it feels so nice on my skin
Next Moisturiser: I’m currently using Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural face crème riche on my face and neck (when I remember). It’s marketed as being packed with high performing ingredients, scientifically shown to help collagen production processes. It feels rich and lux and absorbs easily into skin - unlike some formulations. I’ve been really happy with this one so far.
Last Makeup: I usually only apply the smallest amount to even out my skin tone. I’ve found that using the SPF I have for my face (Ultra Violette, Clean Screen) under my makeup blocks my pores and has caused small break outs so i’ve been trying Ilia’s Super Serum with SPF for the last few weeks. It glides on, I like how it looks and feels so far.
Night:
First Cleanser: 1-2 pumps of Emma Lewisham’s, Illuminating Oil Facial Cleanser on dry skin. I massage it in for 45 seconds or so and remove it with a clean, damp, cotton facial cloth. This one is designed to intensely clean the skin without stripping it. Leaves my skin feeling fresh and hydrated. Love it!
As and When Needed: Grown Alchemist’s Detox Eye-Makeup Remover to remove any remaining mascara.
Next: Antioxidant Serum: A squirt of Hifas da Terra’s Mico-Repair goes on next. I’ve been using this product since I discovered it a year ago. It contains medicinal mushrooms like Reishi and Cordyceps and CBD oil. Feels gorgeous on the skin, and is especially good for sensitive / eczema-prone skin.
Followed by: A couple of drops of de Mamiel’s Summer Facial Oil or or Skinceuticals H.A. Intensifier serum to amplify skin’s hyaluronic acid levels
Final step (if needed): My own nutrient-rich essential oil blend made with avocado oil, carrot oil, tamanu oil, vitamin E, geranium and frankincense
Makeup favourites:
Cheeks: Tata Harper ‘Very Naughty’ Cheek Tint or Tower 28 Beach Please ‘Rush Hour’
Lips: Ilia’s Lip wrap Reviving Balm ‘Lucid’ or Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil ‘Linger’
Mascara: Victoria Beckham’s Vast Lash. Honestly, I could live very easily without wearing makeup but I’m not sure I could survive without wearing mascara. I’ve stayed 100% loyal to VB’s mascara since I got one to try from my sister and it’s never caused my eyelids to react, it stays put even when I rub my eyes, and comes off super easy at night.
Nail polish: I rarely paint my nails because nail polishes are so toxic, but i’ve just discovered a place that uses the ‘Manicurist’ brand here in Brussels so i’ll be hitting them up next time the need or urge comes on me!
Body:
SPF: SVR’s Sun Secure range (including their mousse autobronzante, a clean-ingredient fake tan - no colour transfer, no nasty smell, comes out natural-looking (when you apply with mitts), and washes off in a few days.
Shower: SVR Topialyse body wash
Hair: OWAY’s smoothing hair bath (shampoo) and conditioner
MooGoo’s Cream Deodorant
MooGoo started as a small Australian company making skincare for sensitive skin, and they still focus on gentle, natural, food-grade ingredients. Their deodorant uses magnesium hydroxide (to neutralise odour-causing bacteria) and nourishing oils like coconut and sweet almond, without blocking sweat glands or adding anything harsh. It’s effective, long-lasting - and I genuinely haven’t found anything I like as much to date.
More of my favourite things
Proshine Wipes – single-use wipes but biodegradable, made with clean ingredients, and perfect for travelling when you want to freshen up without compromising your skin or the planet. These are the best wipes in their class - I wouldn’t/couldn’t use another brand.
Proshine Body Oil – a versatile, clean-ingredient oil I use on my body, hair, scars and dry cuticles. I’ve even used the end of my last one on the dog! Safe, nourishing, absorbs well, feels and looks great on the skin - especially under the light. Full disclosure: Proshine is my sister’s brand - and yes, you could accuse me of bias - but her products are excellent. Ships worldwide.
Perfume – I used to stick to diluted blends of fragrant essential oils, but I’m currently enjoying trying the sample size pack of Maison Louis Marie, a brand known for their clean formulations and beautifully layered scents - without the usual cocktail of synthetic fixatives.
Hand Cream - loving Nopalera’s Cactus-based hand cream (discovered at Credo). Rich without being greasy, and smells like a desert spa.
Where to Start If You’re New to Clean Beauty
If your bathroom shelf is full of products, don’t throw everything out at once. Instead:
Finish what you have (unless it causes irritation or it’s been open too long, in which case, bin it).
Replace one product at a time with a clean alternative.
Start with daily-use items (body lotion, deodorant, shampoo) before occasional-use ones.
Use the EWG Skin Deep Database or Yukka app to check product safety scores.
Interested in going green at home?
Check out this blog post I wrote for easy tips and grab your Free copy of my Low-Tox Cheat Sheet to make the change-over even easier. It’s a quick reference guide of my tried-and-tested favourites, from household to skincare to makeup, so you can make the change one product at a time. Click to get your FREE cheat sheet
