Growing up, I never understood the importance of skincare. My mom still uses bar soap for goodness sakes. After a nearly 20 year journey with acne, I had a holistic facial that changed my life. Since then, I was able to not only fix my acne, but all of my hyperpigmentation and scarring that resulted from decades of tanning beds and harsh products. For all my tips on acne, check out my post here. She also introduced me to Marie Veronique products and philosophy on aging and skincare.

I became specifically passionate about clean skincare back in 2013, when I started having health issues and my eyes were opened about the lack of transparency and regulation in the cosmetic and skincare industries. Through investigation, trial and error, and LOTS of money wasted — I’ve acquired a pretty great list of effective, clean skincare that I feel truly works.

First let’s start off with a refresher on the ORDER in which you use various skincare products because otherwise you might not be getting the benefits. You might not use all these steps, but this is the proper order regardless.

If using retinol:

Oil cleanser (assuming you double cleanse)
Regular cleanser
Toner: helps to remove excess makeup/ dead skin
Retinol serum: if using, this needs to be on dry skin unless you are very sensitive then put after moisturizer
Serums: starting with clearest and ending with most opaque
Cream / lotion moisturizer
Oils

If not using retinol:

Oil cleanser (assuming you double cleanse)
Regular cleanser
Toner: helps to remove excess makeup/ dead skin
Hydration spray: if not using a hydrating toner, consider a mist. if skin is moist, it will absorb products better - think of a sponge
Serum: starting with clearest and ending with most opaque
Cream / lotion moisturizer
Oils

Oils are always the last step in any skincare routine because nothing else will be able to penetrate beneath them. They also seal everything in and provide a deeper level of moisture that creams cannot.

I’m going to list items of various price points for each category.

First let’s discuss double cleansing. This is a Korean method that starts by massaging oil into the skin to remove makeup and attract oils (chemistry!) and then gently steaming off with a hot rag and wiping clean. Then, you follow after with a traditional cleanser.

Cleansers

Oil Cleansers: if you are double cleansing, you can simply use a plain oil like jojoba. If you are not double cleansing but choose to use an oil only, it would be better to use an oil cleanser. Note: I do not recommend coconut oil for the face. The molecule size is too large and it can clog pores.

Organic Jojoba Oil (acne prone)

The Ordinary Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil (acne prone)

Green Envee Purify Botanic Cleansing Oil

First Aid Beauty 2 in 1 Cleansing Oil

Marie Veronique Essential Oil-Free Cleanser (if you have very sensitive skin, avoid essential oils!)

Agent Nateur Cleansing Face Oil (any type)

Regular Cleansers:

Clearstem Clean Cleanser (15% off w/ link)

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Cleanser (sensitive skin, any type)

GOOP Cloudberry Exfoliating Cleanser (any, acne prone — it has very small non-irritation scrub beads if you love that kind of thing!)

Erin’s Faces Charcoal Purifying Cleanser (oily, acne prone)

First Aid Beauty Red Clay Deep Cleanser (acne prone, oily)

Glow Recipe Gentle Blueberry Cleanser (any, sensitive)

Green Envee Clarify Cleansing Gel (acne prone, any)

Erin’s Faces Soothing Aloe Cleanser (normal /combo / sensitive)

Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser (any, sensitive)

Agent Nateur Lactic Acid Face Wash (brightening, acne prone)

Green Envee Illuninate Enzyme CleansingPowder

Toners

Thayers Unscented Witch Hazel Toner (any skin type - I like to use after cleansing to get all extra residue off)

Thayer’s Milky Toner with Snow Mushroom Hyaluronic Toner (any skin type — I layer this on after the witch hazel to add moisture back in. I leave only this on before applying makeup, it just gives a great moisturized skin without feeling like any product)

Indie Lee CoQ10 Brightening Toner

Dr. Ceuracle BHA Tea Tree Toner (my all time favorite Korean beauty product — this completely removes all dead skin cells while not drying out the skin. Fantastic for acne prevention and smooth, radiant skin)

Farmacy Brighten Up TXA toner — this is great if you have rosacea as it’s gentle and contains azelaic acid and PHA only.