Want to switch to simpler products and choose more natural formulas with fewer synthetic compounds? This guide will help you find a green routine that suits your skin and embraces natural ingredients.
How do you choose green facial skincare?
First, we need to define our priorities and decide how far we want to go in our pursuit of natural products. Do I prefer certified organic products, or are my personal values more focused on animal welfare ? To help you make an informed choice, here’s a closer look at the different ‘levels’ of green products:
- Green or natural brands
‘Natural’ and ‘green’ are synonymous. They describe brands that choose to highlight natural ingredients—those that come from or are extracted from nature (plants or minerals). However, these brands have chosen not to pursue organic certification. Why? Some brands see no real added value in it, while others want more choice, particularly when it comes to their preservation system, to make their formulas better tolerated. (Organic cosmetics are preserved mainly through the addition of a little alcohol or essential oils, but this approach does not always suit the most delicate skin.)
- Certified organic brands
An organic cosmetic product has been certified by an organisation that verifies a specified percentage of ingredients from organic farming in its formula. This percentage depends on the certifying body. Until recently, each European country had its own organic certification: Ecocert or Cosmebio in France, BDIH in Germany, Soil Association in England, ICEA in Italy... Since 1 January 2017, all organic cosmetic products must carry the "Cosmos organic" label, a new mandatory certification for organic skincare sold in Europe. Established by European certification bodies (Cosmebio, BDIH, Ecocert, ICEA and Soil Association), this new label aims to harmonise the different organic skincare products sold in Europe and offer consumers the same assurances from one country to another. In the United States, where this new label does not apply, there are three categories of organic products bearing the descriptions "100% organic", "Organic" and "Made with certified organic ingredients", each offering different assurances about its composition.
- Certified cruelty-free brands
Cosmetics bearing a ‘cruelty-free’ label are not tested on animals—neither the finished products nor the ingredients used. These cosmetics are not necessarily vegan, but they avoid animal suffering in laboratories. To spot these cruelty-free cosmetics, look for the small ‘Leaping Bunny’ logo on the packaging.
- Vegan-certified brands
These brands choose not to use animal-derived ingredients in their formulas. Their products therefore contain no bee-derived ingredients (beeswax, pollen, honey or royal jelly), fats derived from animals—which are thankfully becoming increasingly rare in cosmetics—or ingredients derived from animal milk or eggs.
How can you adopt a green and healthy routine for your skin type?
Whatever your skin concerns, here are our beauty products and ready-made routines to help you achieve beautiful skin:
- A green skincare routine for sensitive skin
Even sensitive or atopic skin, or skin with irritated areas, can benefit from a green routine. In that case, opt for gentle beauty products with very little essential oil. The standout brand? Pai Skincare! This British organic brand has made caring for reactive and fragile skin its mission.
- Echium & Argan Delicate Eye Cream Pai Skincare : A genuinely soothing eye cream . The argan oil it contains helps maintain firmness in this delicate area while protecting it from external stressors.
- Sea Aster & Wild Oat Anti-Redness Serum Pai Skincare: THE serum for sensitive skin with a compromised moisture barrier! Wild oat and sea aster soothe very reactive skin prone to redness and/or sensitised by blemish treatments. Reach for it straight away if your skin feels uncomfortable or itchy.
- Chamomile & Rosehip Soothing Day Cream Pai Skincare: A fragrance-free protective face cream that puts discomfort in its place. Its formula, rich in chamomile and shea butter, provides intense hydration.
- A green skincare routine for blemish-prone skin
Blackheads and blemishes can be tackled gently with a 100% natural routine. The right approach? Don’t rely solely on the ever-popular clay mask: combine the power of plants and their complementary benefits, starting with cleansing.
- Cleansing Balm Oh My Cream Skincare: A cleansing balm to use as the first step of double cleansing to remove impurities from the skin. Its oily texture emulsifies oily substances (make-up, pollution and sebum…) and helps restore a clear, radiant complexion.
- Cleansing Gel Oh My Cream Skincare: A foaming facial cleanser to use after the Cleansing Balm. Its honey and zinc content helps rebalance normal to combination skin and tackle blemishes.
- Corrective Oil Oh My Cream Skincare: A non-comedogenic oil-based serum that tackles minor skin concerns (dullness, small spots, comedones and dark marks left by healing blemishes). With continued use, it leaves skin clear and helps tighten the appearance of pores.
- A green skincare routine for the first signs of ageing
The right steps? Choose a routine that helps combat signs of fatigue and focuses on protection from external factors (pollution, cold and wind) to keep skin well protected and help prevent premature skin ageing.
- Energising Eye Gel Patyka: A refreshing gel that tackles signs of fatigue (dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles and fine lines) while providing plenty of hydration thanks to the hyaluronic acid it contains.
- Perfecting Antioxidant Serum Patyka: A vitamin-rich serum with a gel-cream texture for a real radiance boost. Ideal for normal to combination skin, it reduces signs of stress and fatigue, as well as cellular damage caused by free radicals.
- Smoothing Antioxidant Cream – Light Texture or Universal Texture Patyka (depending on skin type): A face cream that combats dehydration, smooths the appearance of facial features and leaves skin radiant, thanks to its Marine Bio-Complex. We love that it comes in two textures, so you can choose according to the season and/or your skin type. A real ally for city-dwellers in their thirties!
- A green skincare routine especially for mature skin
A natural routine can include effective anti-ageing skincare that delivers results. The pioneer in this field? Tata Harper, the first to achieve this little technological feat!
- Restorative Eye Cream Tata Harper: A lightweight eye cream that targets dark circles and wrinkles for a more rested look.
- Rejuvenating Serum Tata Harper: THE brand’s cult-favourite serum, formulated with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid for an immediate lifting and firming effect. The trick to beautiful skin in three minutes? Add a drop of this serum to your foundation to give skin a radiant, plump look.
- Repairative Moisturiser Tata Harper : A nourishing daily treatment that helps restore the protective barrier and hydration of dry or mature skin that has lost its natural suppleness and radiance. It also helps relieve tightness, firm skin and boost elasticity.
How can you bring a green routine to the rest of your bathroom?
Some cosmetics are used every day, or even twice a day, which makes it important to choose products with carefully considered formulas.
- Dental care: with Lebon toothpastes. We love their simple formula without parabens, fluoride or triclosan. Their range of flavours is hard to resist, especially Le White, with a hint of mild mint and green tea.
- Deodorants: Brands such as Soapwalla, Schmidt’s and Aurelia Probiotic Skincare, with its Botanical Cream Deodorant, have developed organic deodorants without aluminium salts. Some are even free from essential oils and bicarbonate of soda, making them suitable for the most delicate skin.
- Shower gels: Whether you choose Dr Bronner Liquid Soaps or Enfance Face and Body Wash , these sulphate-free formulas are suitable for the whole family, cleansing without drying out the skin.
Soapwalla Kitchen
Cream Deodorant
Schmidt's
Bergamot and Lemon Stick Deodorant
Aurelia Probiotic
Botanical Cream Deodorant
Dr Bronner
Tea Tree Castile Liquid Soap
Enfance Paris
Face and Body Wash
To find the natural face and body routine that’s right for you, take our skin assessment now. And to discover all our other green products, browse our selection of green gems.
