Living a clean lifestyle doesn’t mean you can’t keep up on the latest beauty trends, like skin minimalism and embracing the natural look, but with so much greenwashing and organic claims out there, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth trying. We spoke to Irene Falcone, clean beauty advocate and founder of Nourished Life, Australia’s go-to superstore for natural beauty, health and home products with nearly 8,000 natural products, to guide us through the ins and outs on the latest clean beauty trends and high performance natural ingredients to try in 2021.
Bakuchiol (natural alternative to Retinol)
Retinol, a skin-care powerhouse used for decades, has finally met its match with the natural alternative ‘Bakuchiol’ (pronounced buh-koo-chee-all). For those needing a skin refresh and reset, this natural ingredient can do just that. Bakuchiol is a natural derivative of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, meaning it is full of antioxidants and has been linked to enhancing cell turnover and improving the skin’s appearance and texture.
Irene recommends: The Nourished Life Bakuchiol Overnight Mask is a fantastic way of reaping the benefits of this natural super plant through the night, to wake up to glowing, rejuvenated skin.
Niacinamide
One of the most popular beauty products people have added to their skincare routines over the last year or so is Niacinamide. While it helps retain moisture (similar to Ceramides), this super ingredient has a wealth of other benefits for your skin! Niacinamide (Vitamin B) helps to strengthen your skin’s immunity. It also helps to keep skin firm and healthy, by working to build keratin and reduce inflammation. It also minimises the appearance of redness, pores, fine lines and wrinkles, as well as visibly brightening pigmentation. Often found in serums and creams, Niacinamide can be mixed with most ingredients and other products in your skin care routine, but mixing with Vitamin C should be avoided as it diminishes both ingredients’ potency.
Ceramides
Also known as lipids (fat molecules), Ceramides help skin retain moisture to stay hydrated and feel soft.
Irene says oils and creams that use Ceramides are perfect for those who have dry or irritated skin and can be simply applied to the face morning and night after cleansing and serums, just like a moisturiser.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
AHA’s and BHA’s are gentle exfoliants that aid in the resurfacing of skin in two different techniques. AHA’s work to remove any build-up of dead cells that are found on the skin’s surface, encouraging the production of new cells and as a result, smoother skin. Glycolic, mandelic and citric acids are some of the most commonly used AHA’s on the market and are frequently found in toners, serums, and exfoliators. BHA’s on the other hand, go a little deeper and instead work to shift the build-up of dirt and skin that might otherwise lead to breakouts. Similarly, BHA’s are frequently found in serums and exfoliators and the most popular one on the market is salicylic acid.
Irene says that like with any topical acid, ensuring you follow application instructions and being mindful of how they might mix with existing products in your skincare routine is really important, to prevent any damage to the skin.
Chlorophyll
In a flashback to high school science class, you may be wondering what on earth this green pigment found in plants has to do with beauty, but hear us out! Similarly to how chlorophyll facilitates photosynthesis in plants, the supplement can also provide oxygen to healthy gut bacteria, having a range of health benefits like reduced inflammation and skin healing. While this may seem like an obscure beauty trend, Chlorophyll has become liquid gold (or green) to the skincare industry and simply adding a splash of Liquid Chlorophyll to water or a smoothie might just be the skin and gut solution you’ve been looking for. We love Grants Liquid Chlorophyll as it has a minty fresh flavour.
