Well, I think we can all agree that 2021 is already off to a rocky start. While I did film and post this video two weeks ago, I had meant to share this information on the blog as well. So better late than never, am I right?!
Clean Beauty in 2020
I started my Clean Beauty transition a few years ago, and I’m always on the hunt for amazing Clean Beauty brands and products that work well for me. I mean, let’s be honest, I’m a skincare junkie, and trying new products is half of the fun. I discovered so many of my favorite skincare and beauty products this past year in 2020 actually. So I thought I would share my top 20 clean beauty products from 2020 with y’all!
While there are 20+ products here, they are mostly found in a very few brands. My top Clean Beauty brands right now are mostly Acure, Earth Harbor, and Wander Beauty. It’s not that I don’t like the others, it is just that these brands consistently across all of the products that I have tried from them are amazing and work well for my skin.
So let’s dive in and get to the good stuff shall we? This list is alphabetically by brand and is not listed any sort of ranking or order.
My Top 20 Clean Beauty Products of 2020
Acure
Acure Ultra Hydrating Cleanser
If you have followed me for awhile, you’ll know that Acure is one of my favorite brands. All of the products in the Super Hydrating line have adaptogens and super greens, so your skin is left hydrated and nourished. I did post a full Acure brand post so you can check it out here. These is just super hydrating! I love, love, love this cleanser. In fact it is probably my most favorite cleanser ever. It does a really good job of cleaning ,without stripping the skin. Your skin stays very hydrated, which is super important for me as I have dry and sensitive skin.
Acure Ultra Hydrating Eye Cream
This eye cream is another great option from Acure. I really like this one and use it mostly in the morning. It has been really good at hydrating the eye area, minimizing fine lines, and getting rid of dark circles and puffiness.
Acure Ultra Hydrating 12 Hour Moisturizer
The Acure Ultra Hydrating 12 Hour Moisturizer has a really nice, lightweight texture, so you can use this during the day. It really does kind of keep your skin soft and hydrated without being too heavy or too greasy. I like to use a very lightweight moisturizer during the day and something a little richer and more nourishing at night. But this is super hydrating and works really well as far as a day cream. The texture is absolutely lovely.
Caudalie
Caudalie Cleansing Milk
I love Caudalie as a whole brand, but one of my absolute favorite products from them is the Gentle Cleansing Milk. This is definitely a staple in my skincare routine and I use this in the morning mostly. This has a very clean, lightweight, beautiful milky texture that does a great job of cleaning. I just put a little bit on cotton pad, massage into the skin, and then you’re good to go for the day. No rising, etc. It leaves skin so moisturized and lovely.
Cocokind
Cocokind One for All Balm
I recently reviewed Cocokind as well and you can check that out here. While not everything worked out for me from Cocokind, there were a few major wins. The products that did work well are ones I will keep in my routine. I really love the Cocokind One for All Balm. I use this for hands, feet, pretty much anywhere you need moisturizer. It also works well to tame and groom eyebrows and as a lip balm. I keep it in my gym bag, my work bag, and my overnight bag. It has a very heavy texture, so a little bit goes a long way and it’s super hydrating and nourishing. It is also really protecting too for the skin. I really love this and highly recommend everybody check it out. In fact, I keep sharing with my family and friends.
Cocokind Glow Essence
I feel that between this and the Rosewater spray that my skin has been more glowing and brighter. There isn’t too much to say about them, but if you want to learn more, check out the blog post here.
Cocokind Rosewater Spray
Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream
The Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream is my new favorite day cream. It has a very lightweight and gorgeous silky texture that hydrates without being too greasy. This is really perfect for a day cream and I find this is very similar to the Acure Ultra Hydrating 12 Hour Moisturizer, as far as the texture, and the level of hydration that they give. If you are more normal to dry, you really love this. Its a great moisturizer that doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin.
Earth Harbor
Earth Harbor Celestine Peptide Serum
As I mentioned, Earth Harbor is one of my favorite brands over all. I did a review on some of their products and will be doing another soon as I just received new products including this Celestine Peptide Serum. Celestine has lemongrass in it, which reminds me of Fruit Loops. This works really well under other serums. I haven’t had any issues mixing it underneath Vitamin C or even a Retinol. It just does a beautiful job of really plumping the skin, as peptides help to increase collagen production. I’m really, really loving this one.
Earth Harbor Nymph Nectar Radiance Balm
The Nymph Nectar Superfruit Radiance Balm can actually be used a bunch of different ways. It can be used as a moisturizer, or you can use it as a face mask, you can place it on top of other products if need a little bit of extra hydration (which is typically what I do). It smells gorgeous like a tropical island. A little bit of this goes a long way, because it’s this rich balm. Just press it into the skin and then massage it in. Leaves skin absolutely glowing!
Me Time Botanicals
Me Time Botanicals Clean Slate Super Beauty Balm
The Me Time Botanicals Clean Slate Super Beauty Balm is very similar to the Earth Harbor Nymph Nectar in that this has multi-purpose uses to it. You can use it as a mask, you can use it as your oil cleanse (which is what I’ve been using mostly as). I’ve been using this almost like I would do an oil cleanser and then I follow it up with the Acure Hydrating Moisturizer. I am really liking this one so far and love her other products as well.
Sahara Rose Skincare
Sahara Rose Hydra Vitamin C Serum
The Hydra Vitamin C serum from Sahara Rose is truly amazing. This is probably the best Vitamin C serum I’ve ever used. It has a gorgeous texture that is both light and hydrating. It easily and readily absorbs into the skin leaving it with a gorgeous glow. It also actually helps to hydrate the skin and then you’re getting soft, hydrated and glowing skin. I need to order more from Sahara Rose, so I definitely recommend you check her out.
Volition Beauty
Volition Beauty Orangesicle Balancing Daily Cleanser
I was actually nervous to try the Volition Beauty Orangesicle Balancing Daily Cleanser when they first sent it to me because I usually don’t do foaming, gel like cleansers because of my dry and sensitive skin. I find that gel cleansers are better suited for more oily and combination skins. However, this has prebiotics and antioxidants in it and actually does a great job of cleansing my skin but it’s been very gentle and hasn’t stripped or dried out my skin at all. I plan on trying more from Volition Beauty, so keep your eyes out for an upcoming review.
Volition Beauty Yaupon Tea Glow Awakening Moisturizer
Volition Beauty also sent me their new Yaupon Tea Glow Awakening Moisturizer. I don’t like to compare one product to another product because I think that kind of down plays the work a brand puts into a product. I don’t think this is like a dupe or knock off or but it does remind me of the Black Tea Moisturizer from the brand Fresh. They have very similar texture and scent. Although, I find this one is fresher than the Fresh Black Tea one. This has this cool jelly like texture that is cooling when you rub it into the skin. Oh my God, the texture is amazing!
This has become my new favorite nighttime moisturizer because it is super hydrating. I believe this has retinol in it so it leaves skin super glowy in the morning. I’ve been using this every night and on days that I need a little bit of extra hydration I put a couple drops of the Cocokind Chia Seed Facial Oil in there and the two have been working really well together! New holy grail!
Wander Beauty
Wander Beauty Fast Lane Instant Facial
OK, Wander Beauty is probably my favorite clean beauty brand at the moment. Every single product I’ve tried from Wander Beauty has just worked so well for my skin and their packaging is gorgeous. You can check out my first review of them here but I will be doing a part two soon as I just received new products to try. The Fast Lane Instant Facial as some amazing ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids to help refine skin’s texture. This has an interesting texture, like bubble gum. I apply this for about 10 minutes, rinse off and OH MY GOD, my skin look absolutely amazing! It really, really is like an instant facial because you can use this and you look like you just went to an esthetician and had the best facial ever. I’ve used it like once or twice now and haven’t had any irritation or anything. My skin has looked clearer, brighter, smoother and overall just more amazing. Love, love, love!!
Wander Beauty Layover Hydrating Ampoule
In my first review I mentioned the Wander Beauty Layover Hydrating Ampoule. This works very similar to like a hyaluronic acid. So you put this on before your other serums; it is very hydrating, helps to retain moisture in the skin, and does a little bit of plumping. On days that I use this, my skin is very plump, very smooth, and definitely well hydrated. This also works well with anything else you put on top such as my Celestine peptide serum and my Vitamin C serum. This is a must use in my AM skincare routine.
Wander Beauty Dive In Moisturizer
The Dive In Moisturizer is so good! It has this almost whipped texture that does an incredible job of hydrating but it’s like also super lightweight. I’ve been using this as day cream and if you’re looking for a really good hydrating, lightweight moisturizer definitely check out the Wander Beauty Dive In Moisturizer. As far as moisturizers go, this is my all time favorite right now.
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Masks
I’ve also mentioned and reviewed the Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Rose Gold Eye Masks before. These are, hands down, the best eye masks that I’ve ever used. There are three different layers here, and these are super effective at hydrating and plumping the eye area. Another thing that I love about these is that they actually stay on! These have some amazing serums and other ingredients that are hydrating, brightening, and super smoothing. If you have any issues with darkness, puffiness, or fine lines in your eye area (or just generally looking tired) and you want to look like you had a great 8 hours of sleep get these eye masks from Wander Beauty!
Youth to the People
Youth to the People Vitamin C
Youth to the People reached out to me and sent me their new Vitamin C serum, which in addition to a powerful percentage of Vitamin C also has caffeine to brighten, firm and de-puff the skin. I just started using this one, but so far I really like it. This has a really gorgeous texture as well and I definitely notice a lot more brightness with it and it also has a lot of hydrating ingredients in there as well. I’m really loving this one and ordered more products from Youth to the People, so expect a full brand review coming soon.
Youth to the People Hydrate and Firm Eye Cream
I also picked up the Youth to the People Hydrate and Firm Eye Cream recently. It has an amazing and rich texture that does a good job of really hydrating and smoothing the eye area. I like using this at night and something lighter during the day. So far so good, and it is one of the best eyes creams I have used in awhile.
Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream
I do have to say that I reviewed this one in the video below, so decided to keep it here on the blog post. However, this one actually broke me out and I had to discontinue using it.
What were your favorite recent Clean Beauty discoveries? Let me know in the comments!
Christopher Ian 